House sends mockingbird packing, backs flamingo and scrub-jay as new state birds

House Representatives voted to retire the northern mockingbird after nearly a century as the Florida state bird and elevate the American flamingo and the Florida scrub-jay in its place.

HB 11, sponsored by Republican Reps. Jim Mooney of Islamorada and Chip LaMarca of Lighthouse Point would designate the American flamingo as Florida’s official state bird and the Florida scrub-jay as the official state songbird, formally replacing the mockingbird – whose designation dates back to 1927.

Recent polling shows most residents and visitors already think or support the Flamingo as Florida’s state bird.

The House vote marks the latest chapter in a debate that has surfaced, but stalled, in recent Legislative Sessions. This year’s proposal takes a two-bird approach, with one symbolizing Florida’s tropical brand and the other representing its ecological roots.

Mooney told Representatives the measure goes beyond symbolism; it’s an environmental bill. He highlighted restoration efforts and the return of flamingos to Florida waters, noting the species was “basically slaughtered in the early 1900s” and was once “all but extinct.”

“I live in one of the most pristine places in the State of Florida, the Florida Keys, and they are there,” Mooney said. “They are there by the hundreds now. The scrub-jays … they’re the coolest little birds. The more I learned about them, the cooler they became. They come back 5years later and take care of their little brothers and sisters, which in and of itself is amazing. This bird is not normal, thank God.”

Mooney also emphasized the scrub-jay’s uniqueness. While the flamingo reflects Florida’s pairing with a globally recognized tropical species long associated with Florida tourism branding, the scrub-jay is the only bird species endemic to Florida. Advocates have described the designation as a nod to Florida’s unique biodiversity and scrub habitats, and support the scrub-jay to represent the Sunshine State because several other states also share the mockingbird as their state bird.

“The scrub-jay, on the other hand, is an endemic bird to Florida found nowhere else in the entire world. Nowhere else. This is it,” he said.

Supporters leaned into the theme, with several members dressed in pink and many making lighthearted puns.

House Leader Rep. Tyler Sirois, a Merritt Island Republican, asked Mooney where the bill ranks on his “pecking” order. St. Petersburg Democratic Rep. Lindsay Cross noted many Representatives were wearing pink and looked like a “flamboyance” of flamingos. Hialeah Republican Rep. Alex Rizo acknowledged that Mooney has been “wading” a long time for the bill, and said he knew it would be successful because he “everyone has been flocking around your office to support this.”

When the voting Board first opened, several “no” votes appeared. Members in the chamber audibly booed, and within moments, most of the “nay” votes switched to “yea” before the Board was locked. The final tally showed the bill passing 112-1. Pensacola Republican Rep. Alex Andrade cast the lone dissenting vote. He has previously pushed for the pelican to also be considered as a state bird representative as well.

After nearly a century perched atop state statute, the mockingbird may soon give way to a brighter plumage — if the Senate allows the bill to take flight. 

SB 150, sponsored by Doral Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, has already cleared the first of three Senate Committees. If approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, the change would take effect July 1.