If you’ve spent any time in a Florida suburb, you know the sound. It’s 2:00 AM, the moon is full, and some invisible creature in the oak tree outside your window is cycling through a chaotic playlist. It’s doing a car alarm. Then a cardinal. Then a squeaky gate. Then a literal dog bark. Honestly, it’s a lot.
That feathered jukebox is the Northern Mockingbird, and it has been Florida's state bird since 1927. But here is the thing: a lot of people are kind of over it.
There’s currently a massive push in Tallahassee to kick the mockingbird to the curb. Lawmakers are arguing that a bird representing the Sunshine State shouldn’t be a generic "copycat" that also represents four other states (Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee). They want something more... Florida.
The Current Champ: Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
The Northern Mockingbird didn’t just wander into the title by accident. Back in the late 1920s, the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs pushed for it, and the legislature made it official with Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 3.
Why? Because the mockingbird is a survivor.
These birds don't migrate. They stay in Florida year-round, braving the humidity and the hurricanes. They are also incredibly helpful to farmers and gardeners because they eat a ton of insects and weed seeds. Plus, you’ve gotta respect the hustle. A single mockingbird can learn up to 200 different songs in its lifetime. The Latin name Mimus polyglottos literally means "many-tongued mimic."
They Are Surprisingly Brainy (And Aggressive)
Scientists at the Florida Museum of Natural History actually found that mockingbirds can recognize individual human faces. If you’ve ever walked too close to a nest and gotten "dive-bombed," that bird probably remembers you. In one study, researchers had students touch a nest. By the second or third day, the birds would start attacking those specific students the moment they stepped onto campus, while totally ignoring everyone else.
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They are the ultimate neighborhood watch.
The Controversy: Why the Drama Now?
For almost a century, nobody really questioned the mockingbird. But lately, people have been pointing out that the mockingbird is a bit of a "participation trophy" bird. It’s everywhere. You can find them in New Jersey. You can find them in Oregon.
In 2024 and 2025, several bills started moving through the Florida House and Senate to change the designation. As of early 2026, the debate has reached a boiling point. The lead contender to take over is the American Flamingo.
Rep. Jim Mooney, who has been championing the change, basically argues that the flamingo is the face of Florida. It’s on the lottery tickets. It’s on the postcards. It’s "Florida" in a way a gray songbird just isn't.
The Two-Bird Compromise
The latest legislative effort (HB 11 and SB 150) proposes a split.
- The American Flamingo would become the official Florida state bird.
- The Florida Scrub-Jay would be named the official state songbird.
This is a smart move. The Scrub-Jay is the only bird species that lives exclusively in Florida. It’s endemic. You won't find it in Georgia. You won't find it in Alabama. It’s a true native, but it’s also endangered because it needs a very specific type of sandy scrub habitat that developers love to bulldoze. Giving it a title might help conservation efforts.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Mockingbirds
People think mockingbirds just sing for the fun of it.
Actually, the singing is a high-stakes job. Unpaired males are the ones you hear singing 24/7. They are desperate. They sing all night long during the breeding season just to prove how many "songs" (and therefore how much experience/territory) they have. Once they find a mate, they usually quiet down at night. So, if a bird is keeping you awake at 3:00 AM, you’re basically listening to a very loud, very feathered Tinder profile.
Another misconception? That they are "boring" because they are gray.
While they don't have the neon pink of a flamingo, they have those distinct white wing patches. When they fly, or when they do their weird "wing-flash" dance on your lawn, those patches are super visible. Some biologists think they use those flashes to startle insects into moving so they can grab them. It's tactical.
Comparing the Candidates
If we’re looking at what actually represents Florida, the choice is tougher than you'd think.
The Case for the Mockingbird:
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- Pros: Tough, vocal, great at pest control, and already "in office."
- Cons: Shared with four other states; kinda plain looking.
The Case for the Flamingo:
- Pros: Iconic, brings in tourism dollars, instantly recognizable.
- Cons: They were nearly wiped out of Florida in the 1900s; they aren't "everywhere" like mockingbirds are.
The Case for the Scrub-Jay:
- Pros: Found ONLY in Florida; very social and smart.
- Cons: Most Floridians have never actually seen one in the wild because their habitat is so limited.
How to Spot a "Real" Florida State Bird
Until the governor signs a new bill into law, the Northern Mockingbird holds the title. If you want to see one, just walk outside. Look for a medium-sized gray bird with a long tail and a white belly. They love sitting on the very top of telephone poles or the highest branch of a tree to survey their kingdom.
If you’re looking for the proposed bird, the Flamingo, your best bet is down in the Everglades or the Florida Keys, though they are starting to show up more frequently in the stormwater treatment areas further north.
Actionable Takeaways for Florida Birding
If you’re interested in Florida’s avian world—whether or not the official title changes—here is what you should do:
- Download Merlin Bird ID: It’s a free app from Cornell Lab. You can record that annoying bird at night, and the app will tell you exactly which species the mockingbird is currently "plagiarizing."
- Support Scrub-Jay Conservation: Visit a place like Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey. It’s one of the best places to see the bird that should be the state symbol. They are incredibly bold and might even hop down to check you out.
- Plant Native: Mockingbirds love beautyberries and elderberries. If you want them to stop screaming and start eating, plant some native fruiting shrubs in your yard.
- Watch the News: The 2026 legislative session is the one to watch. By July 1, 2026, the mockingbird might officially be "retired" in favor of the pink flamingo.
The debate over Florida's state bird isn't just about feathers and songs. It’s about how the state sees itself: as a tough, adaptable survivor (the mockingbird) or as a bright, unique, and tropical destination (the flamingo). Either way, you've got some world-class neighbors in the trees.