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American Goldfinch or Wild Canary
The goldfinch is a delicate little bird with a yellow body and black
wings, and although it eventually became the official state bird, many
other birds were considered for the title. In 1928, legislators let school
children select the state bird and the meadowlark won hands-down. It was a
nice choice but seven other states already had chosen the same bird.
Another vote was taken in 1931 by the Washington Federation of Women's
Clubs. Many birds were nominated, but the goldfinch won handily over the
tanager, song sparrow, junco and pileated woodpecker. Now there were two
state birds and the Legislature decided to leave the final choice to
school children. In 1951, children voted for the goldfinch and the
Legislature made it unanimous
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