Vermont Symbols, State Bird & State Flower

Adopted on June 1, 1941.

No. 1 of the Acts of 1941 established the Hermit Thrush as the official State Bird, effective June 1, 1941. Attaining this status was not, however, an easy flight for Catharus guttatus. Among other things, it was not considered a true Vermonter because, unlike the blue jay or crow (which were favored by some legislators), the Hermit Thrush leaves Vermont during the winter in its southward migration. The record is not clear, but this bird was selected to represent Vermont, among other things, because it has a distinctive sweet call, and because it is found in all of Vermont's 14 counties. The bird's usual habitat is the ground and low branches of shrubs and trees in woodland areas.

Identification

• Length: 6 inches
• Eastern United States have olive-brown upperparts-gray-brown in western birds
• White eye ring
• Dark spots on breast
• Underparts white with brownish to grayish flanks
• Pink legs
• Thin bill with pale base to lower mandible
• Sexes similar
• Often forages on forest floor
• Distinctive song
• Only brown-backed thrush to regularly winter in the United States
• Migrates earlier in Spring and later in Fall than similar-looking thrushes

Adopted on February 1, 1895.

No. 159 of the Acts of 1894, effective February 1, 1895, designated the Red Clover as the official State Flower. Both an integral part of many a cultivated hay field and a common sight along numerous Vermont roadsides, the Red Clover is symbolic of Vermont's scenic countryside generally and of its dairy farms in particular. Oddly enough, however, Trifolium pratense is not a native of Vermont but was "naturalized" from Europe.

Longevity: Perennial (acts as Biennial)

Palatability: High

Winter Hardiness: Good

Drought Tolerance: Fair

Cool or Warm Season: Cool

Bloat Hazard: Yes

Use and Comments: Excellent pasture renovation crop, short-term hay crop.

Distribution in U.S.: Eastern half and Northwest.

Height: 12-36 inches.

Leaves: Palmately trifoliolate; leaflets not serrated; inverted V-shaped "water mark" usually present; large stipules; stems leaves and petioles pubescent.

Inflorescence: Heads consisting of up to 125 flowers; rose purple or deep purplish-red; heads nested in 2-3 leaves.

Roots: Taproot.

Soil

Drainage: Somewhat Poorly Drained

Fertility: Medium

pH: 6.2-6.8

Seed

Color: Pure yellow tp purple

Shape: Shortened mit

Pounds Per Bushel: 60

Seeds Per Pound: 275,000

Seeding Rate: 8-10 pounds PLS per acre.

Emergence Time (Days): 7

Optimum Germ. Temp. (F): 70