The selection of state birds began in 1927, when the legislatures for Alabama, Florida, Maine, Missouri, Oregon, Texas and Wyoming selected their state birds. The last state to choose its bird was Arizona in 1973. Alaska, California, and South Dakota permit hunting of their state birds. read more
Purple Finch. The purple finch (Carpodacus purpureus) was designated the official state bird of New Hampshire in 1957.The selection of the purple finch as a symbol of New Hampshire was supported by the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, and the State Federation of Women’s Clubs. read more