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Wild Birds

Delaware State Bird

Delaware state bird: Blue Hen Chicken

The "Blue Hen Chicken" selection as the state bird seems to relate more to historical events in Delaware than to a natural association of the bird and the state. In fact, the "Blue Hen Chicken" is not even a recognized breed.

The popularity of the "Blue Hen Chicken" may go back as far as 200 years. The story goes that during the Revolutionary War the battling ferocity and fearlessness of Delaware soldiers was compared to that of the Kent County Blue Hen Chickens.

The Kent County Blue Hen Chickens were owned and bred by Captain Jonathan Caldwell, for the purpose of cock-fighting. It was said that Captain Caldwell produced a strain of fighting gamecocks noted for their blue plumage and fighting ability that were descended from a famous Blue Hen.

The Delaware General Assembly made the "Blue Hen Chicken" the official state bird of Delaware on April 14, 1939.

The Delaware state bird may not be a recognized breed but there are still many interesting wild birds in Delaware. Click here for tips on bird watching in Delaware.