ORLANDO, Fla. – Move over mockingbird. Florida lawmakers are once again looking to give the state bird title of Florida a more unique flare.

On Friday, Rep. Jim Mooney, R-Islamorada filed a proposal (HB 81) for the 2025 legislative session to make the American flamingo the official state bird and the Florida scrub-jay the official state songbird.

The gray-and-white mockingbird, celebrated in literature and music, has been Florida’s state bird since 1927. Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas also claim the mockingbird as its state bird.

There have been several attempts by Florida lawmakers in recent sessions to remove the mockingbird, with osprey, wood stork, and the white ibis also making the list of considerations.

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, American flamingos are typically seen in the Everglades, Biscayne Bay, and the Florida Keys. However, Florida saw an uptick in sightings in 2023, as the bright pink birds were likely carried in by Hurricane Idalia and scattered throughout the state.

As for the scrub-jay, the bird species is only found in Florida.

The 2025 Florida legislative session begins March 4.

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