Wisconsin State Flower and State Bird
Robin ~ Turdus migratorius
The Robin nestlings grow quickly. At two weeks they are well feathered and show the spotted breast of their juvenile plumage. Only in youth do Robins wear these markings that indicate their kinship to other thrushes. The fledglings face a critical time when they must quit the nest. Before they can fly they must outmaneuver cats, dogs, hawks, snakes, and other predators. For a few days the male parent looks after them while the female prepares for a second brood.
Wood Violet ~ Viola papilionacea
Wisconsin’s Violet has upper petals that are a deeper shade of purple than the lower ones. These Violets have five petals – one upper pair and, below them, another pair separated by a broader petal. This center petal is elongated to form a spur, and is wide enough to act as a platform for visiting insects. The honey guides marked on it lead to the nectar in the spur. As the insects feast, pollen brought from another flower is brushed from them. As the Violets fade, the leaves grow taller. In many varieties, short-stemmed buds develop, but never open. These closed flowers are self-fertilizing, and are able to produce seed even if the regular flowers have set no seeds.
From The Wildflowers of the 50 States U.S. stamps issued July 24, 1992:
Wisconsin Wildflower - Fireweed
Art from the 50-stamp series, State Birds and Flowers,
issued April 14, 1982 simultaneously in all state capitals.
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