What Is the State Bird of Iowa?

The Eastern Goldfinch is the state bird of Iowa. Even though it’s technically a subspecies of the American Goldfinch, many sources use the names interchangeably. This small bird is generally between 4 inches and 5 inches long and has a wingspan of about 8 inches. It mostly consumes seeds, so it’s a frequent visitor to residential bird feeders. Eastern Goldfinches are typically monogamous, and pairs produce a single brood each year.

Eastern Goldfinches display sexual dimorphism, meaning the male and female birds look different. The contrast is especially clear during the summer mating season. During the fall, both sexes are mostly olive-brown, with a light yellow bib and face and a buff-colored underside. The male also has yellow patches on his shoulders. Throughout the year, the female has dark brown tail feathers and matching bars on her wings. The male displays black bars on his wings and black tail feathers.

In the summer, the female’s plumage lightens to a yellowish-brown, and she displays a yellow bib. The male Eastern Goldfinch gains brightly colored plumage every year after the spring molt. During the summer, he has a vivid yellow body with a striking black cap. The white feathers under his short tail are visible during flight. The male’s bright summer plumage is designed to attract a mate.

Also called a wild canary, the Easten Goldfinch was adopted as the official state bird by the Iowa Legislature in 1933. At an annual meeting in Des Moines, the Iowa Ornithological Union voted to recommend the Eastern Goldfinch to the Iowa General Assembly as its choice for the official state bird. Sources indicate that it was chosen because it’s commonly found throughout Iowa.

The Great Seal of the State of Iowa was originally created in 1847. The seal features several symbols, including the Mississippi River, an eagle carrying a banner of the state’s motto, a field full of various farming implements, and a citizen soldier holding an American flag. The Iowa motto is “Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.“

Along with the seal, the Hawkeye State has several other state emblems.

Iowa also has an official state rock: the geode.

Along with its yellow and black state bird, Iowa is known for many other things:

If you’re an Iowa native, you’ve probably seen hundreds of Eastern Goldfinches in local meadows and backyards. This cheery little bird is prevalent throughout the state, and sometimes stays there even during the winter.