Bill > H0081

This bill creates a new section in Florida Statutes to officially designate two state birds for Florida: the American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) as the state bird and the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) as the state songbird. The legislation explicitly replaces the previous state bird, the mockingbird, which was originally designated by a Senate Concurrent Resolution in 1927. By creating this new statute, the bill provides a formal legal recognition of these two bird species as official state symbols, highlighting Florida's unique wildlife. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving state agencies and organizations time to update their materials and recognize these new official state birds. The selection of an official state songbird in addition to a state bird is somewhat unusual and draws attention to the distinctive avian species found in Florida, particularly the endemic Florida scrub-jay, which is found only in the state's scrub habitat.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/81