Washington Symbols, State Bird & State Flower

Adopted in 1951.

The goldfinch is a delicate little bird with a yellow body and black wings, and although it eventually became the official state bird, many other birds were considered for the title. In 1928, legislators let school children select the state bird and the meadowlark won hands-down. It was a nice choice but seven other states already had chosen the same bird. Another vote was taken in 1931 by the Washington Federation of Women's Clubs. Many birds were nominated, but the goldfinch won handily over the tanager, song sparrow, junco and pileated woodpecker. Now there were two state birds and the Legislature decided to leave the final choice to school children. In 1951, children voted for the goldfinch and the Legislature made it unanimous.

Seeds from dandelions, sunflowers, ragweed, and evening primrose are the main source of food for the Eastern Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis). In late July or early August they build their nests from plant materials and line them with thistledown. The pale blue-white eggs of the Eastern Goldfinch incubate for two weeks and the young birds leave the nest when they are two to three weeks old.

The top of the male's head is topped with black. The bright yellow body has black wings and tail. The female has a dull olive-yellow body with a brown tail and wings. The male goldfinch acquires the same dull plumage in the winter months.

Adopted in 1892.

In 1892, before they had the right to vote, Washington women selected the coast rhododendron as the state flower. They wanted an official flower to enter in a floral exhibit at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Six flowers were considered, but the final decision was narrowed to clover and the "rhodie," and voting booths were set up for ladies throughout the state. When the ballots were counted, the rhododendron had been chosen as the Washington state flower.

Exerpt from

The Evergreen State's Official "Coast Rhododendron"
by Naomi Mathews (Lanao2@aol.com)

More than a hundred years ago, the Washington State Senate confirmed that the "Coast Rhododendron" (Rhododendron macrophyllum) would be the new floral emblem for Washington state. One of my required courses prior to graduation from high school included Washington State History. However, my mental recollection fails me about whether we learned much, if anything, about Washington state's flowers. Having lived in the beautiful state of Washington most of my life, I decided to do some research about how, when, and why this gorgeous rhododendron was chosen for this honor.

I invite you to accompany me on a journey back in time to the year 1892, before women even had the right to vote. Delegates from each state had been invited to attend the 1893 World's Fair which was to be held in Chicago. It was suggested that each state decorate their booths with their official flower, if they had one.

Since Washington had not yet selected an official flower, voting booths were set up throughout the state. (I found it very interesting that this election was open to women only, since they were not allowed to vote in other elections.) Some flowers that were suggested included the dogwood, syringa, gaillardia, Washington holly, wild rose, and marguerite. Residents of Spokane, Washington supported the stylized lily (fleur-de-lis). The clover was suggested by Mrs. Ella Higginson, who lived in Bellingham and was the poet laureate of Washington at that time. However, it was Mrs. Alsora Hayner Fry who lauded the Coast Rhododendron. Her love for its outstanding floral beauty as well as its
evergreen leaves led her to nominate it (in writing) to the editor of a newspaper.

Following the distribution of the ballots and completion of the voting process, 53% of the 15,000 women who voted favored the "coast rhododendron." Thus, the new floral emblem for Washington state was confirmed on February 10, 1893. Fifty-six years later on February 10, 1949, it was made official by the state legislature. In 1959, that law was amended to define the "native pink rhododendron" (R. macrophyllum) as the official floral emblem of Washington state.