New York State Bird & Flower
New York State Bird
The official bird of New York State is the Eastern Bluebird. Also known by its Latin name, Sialia sialis, it was officially designated as the New York State bird in 1970, primarily in recognition of the fact that it is one of the earliest song birds to return to the northeast after the winter is over, sometimes as early as the end of February.
The Eastern Bluebird is considered a medium-sized bird in the thrush family. It has blue plummage that is quite striking in its color and intensity. Adults of the species have a white under belly, and the male typically has a reddish brown throat area. The female also has a brownish throat, but also features a grey crown up top. The female’s wings are also lighter than the male’s.
The Eastern Bluebird prefers woodlands and fields, often dining on insects, such as grasshoppers and beetles, along with wild fruits and berries. Venture out on a bird-watching tour on Long Island and you’ll be surprised by the variety of species here.
New York State Flower
The official flower of New York State is the rose. One of the most fragrant flowers in the plant kingdom the rose, also known by the genus ‘rosa,’ was made the New York State flower in 1955.
The rose is considered a perrennial, meaning it comes back every year, if it is well-cared for with plenty of nutrition of direct sunlight. It growns on a shrub, typically, although some species grow on a vine throughout New York State. It comes is such a broad range of colors and mixtures of colors, many have assigned meaning to the colors when the flower is given as a gift. For example, a yellow rose symbolizes affection or friendship, while a red rose symbolizes love. There are well over 150 species of roses.
It is said that the rose was chosen as the official New York State flower after a poll done on school children found it to be the most popular flower they mentioned.
Other New York State symbols include:
New York State Tree: Maple tree
New York State Fruit: The apple
New York State Gem: The garnet
New York State Animal: The beaver
New York State is also known as “The Empire State,” because when George Washington observed where it was situated, with its major rivers and waterways, with its ports and easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, its natural resources, and great wealth, he is quoted as saying that New York State would be “the great seat” or the center, of the empire known as our great country.