Wisconsin's State Bird

Mornin' to everyone dreaming of springtime in Wisconsin, but don't put away your shovels yet... This is the Wiscampsin Weekly - the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here. 

*Criminy, do we have an announcement for all you's! We just launched our first piece of Wiscampsin artwork, beautifully handcrafted by our fellow 'Scon Kayley. Check it out below for more details!

What we're flapping our beaks about this week:

• Wisconsin's State Bird 🐦

• Turkeys attack cars 🦃

• Cave secrets 🤔

Wisconsin's State Bird

No, it's not the kind your Dad likes to flip to FIBs clogging the road to Door County...

If you stick your head out the window and listen, you'll likely hear this famous feathered friend in song. 

Alas, this week we're covering the Robin and its flight path to becoming our official state bird. 

The American Robin

• One of the most recognizable song birds in North America

• Population of 380 million (and growing) in the US

• Currently returning to Wisconsin to breed!

Turdus Migratorius

No, that's not the latin term for 'bowel movements.'

The Turdus Migratorius, AKA the American Robin, belongs to the thrush family (plump, small to medium-sized birds with soft plumage).

Thrushes are considered some of the most melodious songbirds, and just like the phrase "the squeaky wheel gets all the oil," they're highly popular because of their vocality. 

They're considered a woodland bird, but they'll also frequents parks, fields, your mom's bird bath, etc.

And although they live in Wisconsin, they don't share our affinity for beer and cheese.  They feed on soft-bodied invertebrates, insects, and earthworms in the spring/summer, and fruit and berries in the fall/winter. 

Males have a dark, black head and bold, orange breast. Females have similar patterns minus the dark head, and the colors are muted. This is to blend in better to avoid predators and bullies. Wish we knew that trick as kids... 

Rise to fame

How did the American Robin steal the spotlight and secure title as the Wisconsin State Bird?

In 1926, Wisconsin school children held a vote to select a state bird.

Seeing how the Robin is one of the five most abundant summer residents in Wisconsin, it won this popularity contest quite easily — beating out the competition 2-to-1. 

So on June 4, 1949, Chapter 218 declared the Robin the state bird. 

...but we aren't the only ones with affection for this songbird. Connecticut and Michigan also dubbed the robin as their state bird. We assume they just want to be more like us...

How to see 'em

Some populations of Robin migrate far, far, away from our winter weather, with a migration range of Canada, North America, and Mexico. One record even shows a 3,000 mile Iowa-to-Alaska trip! That's a lot of Cheese Castle billboards! 

However, others never leaving our state no matter what. 

Regardless if they leave or stay, the Robin is an early nester, starting in April and continuing to July. 

During this time, males can be seen grappling with other males over territory, and females laying eggs. They'll average three to five eggs with each brood, which can occur two to three times a season. 

For these little young Robins ("awwwwww"), it takes just 36-40 days to incubate, hatch, and leave the nest. 

Fun fact: the unique, baby blue hue of the eggs is actually an evolutionary advantage, as the brigher the shade, the more involved the father robin will be!

 If you’d like to see more robins in your yard, put out a bird bath or plant native plants with berries. And check out their migration status, as we're very near to the peak! 

Now get out der!

 🖼 Wiscampsin Original Artwork!

We know you've all been thinking: Cripes, do I love our state bird. I WISH there was a way to, I don't know, hang it on my wall AND give back to ornithology! 

You're in luck, Wiscampsonite! This Wisconsin designed, Wisconsin printed original artwork is now available for purchase. Not only is it good for your living room, it's also good for Wisconsin birds.

For every purchase, $5 will be donated to The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology to promote the enjoyment, study, and conservation of Wisconsin’s birds.

• 11" x 14"

• 100lb. Matte Cardstock

• Made in the USA

• Printed in Janesville, WI

• Designed in Milwaukee, WI

• Artist: Kayley Hackett

Buy the print here!

Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

Well folks, 44% of you got it right - just like our Wisconsin State Bird, the Sugar Maple was voted in as the State Tree by kids around the state. Now if only they'd stop TP'ing our house...

NEW: Wisconsin Events

Butt glued to the couch? Here are some great Wisconsin events to get you out 'der:

ALTERNATIVE ST. PATRICK’S DAY HIKE at Lakeshore State Park - Milwaukee, WI on Friday, March 17, 2023, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

BLUEBIRD BIRDHOUSE BUILDING WORKSHOP at Kohler-Andrae State Park - Sheboygan, WI on Saturday, March 18, 2023, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

CALLIGRAPHY CLASS at Richard Bong State Recreation Area - Kansasville, WI on Saturday, March 18, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Know a WI Outdoors-related event happening? Reply to this email with the details and we will share the week before the event!

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🥾 No walk in the park: It's a hike, in fact! The MammothMarch invites 'Scons to attempt a 30-mile hike along the Kettle Moraines State Forests's North Unit in a single day, no small feat considering all the hummocks, dips, bends, and the "aw cripes, we forgot the granola bars!" Takes place on June 3rd, check it out!

🦃 Turkey chase: Forget dogs, apparently there's a flock of aggressive turkeys chasing cars at Kaukauna High School. But it's not all that uncommon this time of year - turkeys get a little agro during the spring mating season! 

☀️ Cave secrets: Researchers from UW-Madison are at it again. Apparently a stalagmite from Cave of the Mounds shows signs that the midwest experienced rapid warming some 48,000-68,000 years ago. Hope they had the Wisconsin Dells waterparks to cool off...

Meme of the Week 😂 

A review from the Trail... Proud to be the Dad-Joke equivalent of outdoor newsletters