Discover New Hampshire’s Official State Bird: The Purple Finch

?

What is the State Bird of New Hampshire?

New Hampshire is one of the original thirteen colonies and currently one of fifty states in the United States. With a rich history, many symbols have been designated to represent the Granite State. One such symbol is its state bird, which is the Purple Finch.

History of New Hampshire’s State Bird

On May 23rd, 1957, Governor Lane Dwinell signed into law that made official New Hampshire’s state bird as being the Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus). This small finch species has been known to nest all across North America but are most abundant in Northern regions such as Canada and Alaska where they can be seen flitting around feeders or hopping on ground below them looking for food items like nuts and seeds. The purple finch was chosen due to its long-standing relationship with New Englanders throughout history since it was first documented in 1738 by English naturalist Mark Catesby.

Appearance & Behavior

The male purple finches have a striking deep red head and rump feathers with brownish streaks covering their wings and backside while females tend to be more dull overall featuring shades of gray all over their bodies. During breeding season males will puff up their feathers when singing mating songs in hopes attracting a mate who will then create an elaborate nest constructed mostly out sticks intertwined with finer materials such as grasses or hair lining inside for insulation purposes during colder weather months. These nests are usually located high up in trees near coniferous forests or residential areas depending on available habitat options at any given time period during year round migrations between wintering grounds down south towards Central America all way up north east coastline back into Canada during summertime nesting cycles birds undergo each year according research conducted by Cornell Lab Ornithology Department Avian Conservation Science Laboratory Research Team .

Conservation Status

Although populations may fluctuate from time-to-time due to different factors including climate change related events like increased storms affecting number habitats available for birds find homes holidays , overall outlook bright this species considered least concern International Union Nature Conservation Red List Species . Some organizations even grant special protections wildlife sanctuaries areas specifically set aside help protect these native wild creatures from human development projects nearby urban centers otherwise threaten population levels certain regions country . Yet much work still remains done ensure future generations able experience beauty these unique little songbirds without worrying about endangerment looming overhead birds futures so we can continue enjoy sight sound presence our avian friends ever changing landscapes Granite State years come ..