House bill aims to give the ‘bird of fire’ Michigan’s state bird title

American Robins have been our state hen since 1931, however a number of Michigan officers are hoping to alter it — to the Kirtland’s warbler.

Michigan has the identical state hen as Connecticut and Wisconsin.

Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, launched a invoice to make the Kirtland’s warbler the official state hen of Michigan. This invoice was launched final month on Sept. 21 and is backed up by Reps. Ken Borton, Jack O’Malley, Daire Rendon, Sue Allor, Gary Howell, William Sowerby, David LaGrand, Sara Cambensy and Andrew Fink.

Kirtland’s warbler, also called the Jack pine hen or Jack pine warbler, was not too long ago taken off the protected species listing as they had been designated endangered for over half a century.

As of June 2021, there was an estimated 2,245 pairs of the as soon as endangered hen. Michigan’s DNR acknowledged that the inhabitants measurement is greater than doubled the restoration aim of the species.

Fowl lovers declare that the hen is particular to the state of Michigan. In response to the DNR, the birds have boosted tourism within the five-county part of rural northern Michigan that has the biggest numbers, drawing hen watchers from around the globe.

Click on right here to find out about viewing excursions.

Beneath is a doc from the Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance stating 10 the reason why the Kirtland’s warbler must be Michigan’s state hen.

Learn extra: As soon as practically extinct, Michigan songbird coming off endangered listing

To be taught extra in regards to the “hen of fireside” watch the video from Michigan DNR beneath: