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mockingbird is the state bird of Arkansas. More specifically, it
is the northern mockingbird that stands as that state’s symbol.
Made official in Arkansas in 1929, the mockingbird is also the
state bird of Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. The
practice of officially selecting state animals, birds, flowers
and fish to symbolize a state is a longstanding tradition in
America. Though the state bird of Arkansas only averages 10
inches in length with a wingspan of just 14 inches, it is known
to be an astute sentry. Guarding nests against possible
predators, mockingbirds are frequently seen swooping down on
neighborhood pets or chasing away much larger birds, such as
crows, if they feel the slightest bit threatened by an
intruder’s proximity to a nest. While guarding nests, two
mockingbirds will pair up to sit at separate strategic points
near a nest while making different sounds to warn of possible
predators. Due to their ability to mimic the sounds of