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Nebraska Symbols, State Bird & State Flower
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Bird
Western Meadowlark
(Sturnella neglecta)
Adopted on March 22, 1929.
At a Nebraska Federation of Women's Clubs (NFWC) convention at Kearney on Oct. 25, 1928, the following resolution was proposed:
Whereas, the Conservation division of NFWC endorses the suggesstion of the General Federation chairman of the division of Wild Life to choose for Nebraska a state bird, therefore be it resolved, that a bird typical of the prairies and abundant in all parts of the state be chosen by this convention assembled and the result combined with the vote of the school children of the state and interested societies to be presented to the next session of the State Legislature for legal acceptance.
Once the resolution was adopted, a list of birds was submitted. The five birds receiving the highest votes were the western meadowlark, robin, bobwhite, brown thrasher and house wren.
At the request of the N.F.W.C., Rep. F. C. Rundle of Hamilton County introduced a joint and concurrent resolutation declaring the western meadowlark the state bird. Then-governor Adam McMullen signed the bill on March 22, 1929.
Source: Nebraska Bluebook, 1994-95, pg. 24.
There are few song birds on the Great Plains whose melodic call can evocate such delight and joy as the Western Meadowlark. Undoubtedly that's why it was selected as the State Bird.
The western meadowlark is abundant throughout the state and is noted for its joyous song. The birds are eight to 11 inches long and are brown and streaked above, with bright yellow underparts interrupted by a bold crescent of black across the upper breast, and white outer tail feathers. The birds nest on the ground in grassy fields or meadows and feed largely on insects.
Identification
- Length: 8.5 inches
- Sharply-pointed bill
- Buff and brown head stripes
- Yellow underparts with black "v" on breast
- White flanks with black streaks
- Brown upperparts with black streaks
- Brown tail with white outer tail feathers
- Juvenile and winter plumages somewhat duller
- Frequents open habitats
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| Kingdom |
Animalia -- animals |
| Phylum |
Chordata -- chordates |
| Subphylum |
Vertebrata -- vertebrates |
| Class |
Aves -- birds |
| Order |
Passeriformes -- perching birds |
| Family |
Fringillidae -- buntings, finches, grosbeaks, old world finches, sparrows |
| Genus |
Sturnella Vieillot, 1816 -- meadowlarks |
| Species |
Sturnella neglecta Audubon, 1844 -- Pradero occidental, western meadowlark |
State Flower
Flower by: Santalady
Goldenrod
(Solidago serotina)
Adopted on April 4, 1895.
The goldenrod (Soldiago gigantea) was declared the state flower in 1895. A concurrent resolution giving the state a floral emblem was introduced by Rep. L. P. Judd of Boone County. Numerous species of goldenrod grow throughout the state. The measure was supported by University botanist Dr. Charles Bessey. Undoubtedly, the article written by Miss Brockman, who was the daughter of Rep. John M. Brockman of Stella, had some part in seeing the resolution signed into law by then-governor Silas A. Holcomb. The article written by Ida Brockman, daughter of Rep. John M. Brockman of Stella, said:
There is probably not a nook or corner of the state where one or more of the numerous species of goldenrod are not found. It is a native, and only a true native should be our representative. It has a long season, and nothing could better represent the hardy endurance of Nebraska's pioneers.
The resolution was signed into law by then-governor Silas A. Holcomb on April 4, 1985.
Source: Nebraska Bluebook, 1994-95, pg. 25.
The goldenrod is an erect, coarse-looking perennial herb that is usually about two or three feet tall. The small flower heads, which are almost always yellow but sometimes have cream-colored or white rays, are grouped into either elongated or flattish clusters. The flowers appear from July through October.
Plant Type: This is a Native herbaceous plant perennial forb. Ususlly erect and often tall.
Leaves: The leaves are alternate. Most leaves are toothed but a few species have entire leaves.
Flowers: Blooms July-October. The flowers have numerous parts. They are yellow sometimes white. Blooms first appear in mid summer and continue into mid fall. The center and rays are yellow. The rays are few, seldom more than ten. Groups of flowers are often clustered on the top edge of branches near or at the top of the plant.
Habitat: Various
Range: Most all of North America
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| Kingdom |
Plantae -- Plants |
| Subkingdom |
Tracheobionta -- Vascular plants |
| Superdivision |
Spermatophyta -- Seed plants |
| Division |
Magnoliophyta -- Flowering plants |
| Class |
Magnoliopsida -- Dicotyledons |
| Subclass |
Asteridae – |
| Order |
Asterales – |
| Family |
Asteraceae – Aster family |
| Genus |
Solidago L. – goldenrod |
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National Forests
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands Oglala National Grassland Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest |
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