Florida House Votes to Make Flamingo State Bird, Scrub Jay State Songbird

The bills still need to pass the Senate before becoming law.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Florida House has passed a bill to make the American flamingo the official state bird, replacing the mockingbird. The bill also proposes making the Florida scrub jay the official state songbird. The flamingo has long been associated with Florida and is seen as a more unique symbol for the state compared to the mockingbird, which is also the state bird for several other states. The Florida scrub jay is endemic to the state and has been designated as a threatened species due to habitat loss. The bills still need to pass the Florida Senate before becoming law.

Why it matters

Changing the state bird is an important symbolic move that reflects Florida's unique identity and natural heritage. The flamingo is a more iconic and recognizable symbol of Florida, while the scrub jay is an endangered species that is found nowhere else. This change could help raise awareness and conservation efforts for both birds.

The details

The Florida House voted 112-1 to pass HB 11, which would establish the American flamingo as the new official state bird. A companion bill, SB 150, has also been approved by a Senate committee but still needs to pass two more committees before a full Senate vote. Both bills also propose making the Florida scrub jay the official state songbird. This marks the ninth attempt over the past 25 years to replace the mockingbird, which is also the state bird for several other states. Supporters argue the flamingo is a more fitting and recognizable symbol of Florida, while the scrub jay is uniquely Floridian and deserving of the honor.

  • The Florida House voted on the bill on February 11, 2026.
  • The Senate bill was unanimously approved by the Environment and Natural Resources committee in November 2025.
  • If passed, the new state bird and songbird would take effect on July 1, 2026.

The players

James 'Jim' Mooney

Co-sponsor of HB 11 and representative from Key Largo.

Ana Maria Rodriguez

Senator from Doral and sponsor of the companion SB 150 bill.

Monique Miller

Republican representative from Palm Bay who was the lone dissenting vote on the House bill.

Alex Andrade

Republican representative from Pensacola who voted against the bill, citing a promise to longtime NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer.

Marion Hammer

Longtime lobbyist for the National Rifle Association who has aggressively fought any attempts to change Florida's state bird from the mockingbird.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If you ask people around the state of Florida what's the state bird, very few people ever say the mockingbird. They'll say the flamingo, they might say a pelican. But the reality of it is, the flamingo represents Florida, it always has since I was a kid.”

— James 'Jim' Mooney, Co-sponsor of HB 11 (Florida Politics)

“The scrub jay has just been commandeered to really violate property rights across Florida. I wish these were de-coupled because I want to make the flamingo your bird so badly.”

— Monique Miller, Republican representative from Palm Bay (naplesnews.com)

“I also maintain a healthy fear/respect of the great and inimitable, Marion Hammer. I promised her back in 2018 that I'd never disappoint her with my votes, I planned on keeping that promise.”

— Alex Andrade, Republican representative from Pensacola (naplesnews.com)

What’s next

The Senate bill (SB 150) still needs to pass through two more committees before facing a full Senate vote. If both the House and Senate bills are passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, the new state bird and songbird would take effect on July 1, 2026.

The takeaway

Changing Florida's state bird from the mockingbird to the iconic flamingo, and adding the threatened Florida scrub jay as the state songbird, would be an important symbolic move to better reflect the state's unique natural identity and heritage. However, the bills still face hurdles in the Senate and opposition from some lawmakers, highlighting the challenges of updating long-standing state symbols.