Mocking people like that just encourages and validates them, but I have to say, "mockingbird" is apt for a politician that does nothing but parrot ideological and organizational propaganda, shoehorning it into every possible context, in order to signal their brand.
The California Quail is a fine choice for a state bird, but it really should be the California Condor. One factor that is missing from the qualifications for a state bird you've pointed out is the importance of a historical story that's relevant to the state. While that would likely allow Utah to keep their gulls, it would also allow the story of how the California Condor was nursed back from extinction in the 80s to factor in. Growing up in California, that was a pretty major story in my youth. I don't really care how far they roam, they're from California, because at one point in the 80s, the only California Condors that existed anywhere were in a sanctuary and rehabilitation center in California. They're an inspiring story of the triumph of science and a great example of the power of regulations to have a positive impact.
Hey Brian, please allow me to comment on your belief about the California Condor. Yes, government agencies and volunteers have worked hard to maintain a "wild" population of condor in California. The issue I have is condors have not recovered in spite of all the effort. The remaining few hundred birds are not capable of sustaining themselves. They rely on humans for much of their food and overall well-being. They are not truly wild birds at all. The decline of the condor is not about habitat loss or really about human activity. The condor evolved in North America to feed on carcasses of the large mammals that used to inhabit North America, species that went extinct eons ago for a variety of reasons, including (pre-fossil fuel) climate change and predation by humans when humans were still hunter gatherers. These were natural evolutionary processes. The efforts to save these birds, in my view, is misguided. Over many hundreds of millions of years, species like dinosaurs and millions of others have had their time on Earth and due to failure to adapt to ever-changing environments and cataclysms like meteor strikes and volcanism -- again, natural processes -- have gone extinct. Otherwise we'd still have T-Rex terrorizing us. Long before humans evolved on Earth. So, why do we feel it's important to "save" this bird? Compare the condor with Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. Both these species were also targeted for preservation efforts, which have been hugely successful. Once DDT was banned, and with some interventions by humans, both species have thrived and are near to, if they have not already, been removed from federal endangered species strictest protections. The condor is a majestic creature, no doubt. It had its time. That time passed.
@@venturino1962 The Californian condor was driven to extinction by humans in the same way that almost all vultures have been, we poisoned their food (accidentally...mostly). For the Californian Condor, it was lead poisoning from buckshot. Vulture restaurants are used worldwide to protect vulture populations from human contaminated carrion (in other countries it is a drug used in cattle), and it's very effective. Given the chance the Californian Condor could return to the US at large, it just needs time and we can give it that.
I was racking my brain to try and figure out a song from the start, until I figured out the theme, and realized it was "Two Doves" by Dirty Projectors. Amazing.
I'm so thankful that you made this video after we changed the state flag in Mississippi. I am also thankful in general that you made this video. I think it is the best state bird content that I have seen in forever.
Agreed, Mississippi's state flag is gorgeous... totally worth a complex shape like a magnolia flower, if it looks like that! Plus, describing it as a "white flower" would still produce a recognizable flag, so the complexity is a moot point!
Lmao I literally just described this channel on first impression to my brother as if Bill Wurtz and exurb1a combined into one person, dropped acid, and forgot how to speak. But that was just after seeing the animated cat film. Now I see that they do remember how to speak after CGP grey joined in on the acid trip
I subbed to this channel a few years ago for the music, but I haven’t really been keeping up with the channel. I saw this in my sub feed because I was bored and this vid is awesome! It reminds me a lot of Jon Bois, but more chill in a way.
@@robertborland5083 my bill was in the 90s so you probably read about the newer proposal. It's doomed because it just is, but they also didn't do their legal research, they don't cite either of the 2 previous attempts.
Choked when you mentioned my hometown of Jupiter--miss it a lot. Fantastic video, sir. Tom Scott sent me, and he was right: you do have a Jon Bois vibe, in the best way.
Roadrunners are neat! Since they can run at speeds over 15 mph and most of their prey is on the ground, roadrunners don’t have much of a reason to fly. On those occasions when they need to escape a predator, reach a branch, or catch a flying insect, roadrunners will fly for short distances, usually only lasting for a few seconds. While gulls are classified as seabirds, gulls aren't just found by the sea. California gulls for example can be found in the Dakotas, up to northern Canada, and even New Mexico! And Franklin's gulls are found throughout the Great Plains! But that aside, I think the trumpeter swan is a fine choice for Minnesota! Trumpeter swans are the heaviest living bird native to North America on top of the world's largest waterfowl species. It has a wingspan of 185 to 304.8 cm (6 ft 2 in to 10 ft 2 in), and male trumpeters weigh on average over 26 pounds! About twice as massive as tundra swans! Trumpeter swans are found in different spots on the continent like the coast of British Columbia, Alaska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Although awkward on the ground due to short legs set behind their center of gravity, they can walk more than a mile at a time! Even with cygnets. Starting in the 1600s, market hunters and feather collectors had decimated Trumpeter Swan populations by the late 1800s. Aggressive conservation helped the species recover by the early 2000s.
Good video, but....I am flabbergasted you went through this entire exercise and didn't mention the Baltimore Oriole for Maryland. Maryland has a very good track record for naming things that actually have to do with the state. It also has an S-tier state flag and state day. Calico cat (colors), Chesapeake Bay Retriever (dog), Blue Crab.... etc. etc.
Damn, this has got to be up there with History of Japan for surprisingly high-effort and engaging information on something you didn't know you wanted to know.
I have to say that every musical cover here was fantastic. Especially loved the Kero Kero Bonito track. "Oh- no, that's just sampling. That's totally okay..." *waves his cassette* this video was so much fun. Fantastic job Jammy.
OK the TLC in the background when he starts talking about Scrubjays was not necessarily the best part of the video but it made an already great video awesome.
@Jam2go I come back to this video all the time. It's something special, and you have a real talent. I'm also Canadian, and I love the part where you say we have the best birds. The loon is one of my favourite animals on this planet.
didn't expect to watch a 23 minute video about state birds from a country I don't even live in, but here I am. and I enjoyed every minute of it, excellent job!
There's even a pelican on the Louisiana flag, though not a brown pelican. On the flag, the pelican is wounding itself to feed its young, which is a medieval belief that became a Christian symbol and pelicans don't actually do that. The flag was adopted in 1912 and was modified twice, in 2006 and 2010. In 2006, three drops of blood were added. In 2010, the pelicans were given are more realistic design as the pelicans used to be quite cartoonish. Baton Rouge artist Curtis Vann Jr. used a more realistic depiction of a brown pelican for his design, although rendered in white as required by law and also incorporated the brown pelican's yellow-brown crown. And yes, that Bass Pro Shops pyramid in Memphis is real, and there's even a lodge inside. But it wasn't always a Bass Pro Shop. It was originally an arena. It opened in 1991 and was the home court of the University of Memphis men's basketball program, and later for the Memphis Grizzlies from 2001 to 2004. On opening night, the arena floor flooded because of inadequate drainage pumps, forcing stagehands to sandbag the entire perimeter to preserve the electrical runs under the stage. The Pyramid was originally thought to be more than suitable for an NBA team but it was discovered that it needed to be significantly upgraded in order to be a viable NBA arena. So they just built a new arena in 2004 as a condition for the Grizzlies relocation.
I had a Loon call that I took camping with me. About the neatest thing in the world. I got a chorus going but never actually saw any loons. The call device spins around on a string and does both the regular wail and the yodel wail. Good loon calls, it's pretty cool.
Judging from the aesthetic to which this video was made, I'm going to assume that calling the Western Tanager the "Western Tanger" was a deliberate choice. That will never stop making me smile.
American Flamingo: State Waterbird. Florida Scrub-Jay: State (Land) Bird. Both are indeed native to Florida, and both are good representatives. If I had to choose one, then it should be the jay. They are neat birds. They live in little family groups that all help each other raise the chicks- rare in birds. Their only habitat is unique to Florida. This environment has a huge number of endemic plants; a relic of the distant past when the central peninsula was a group of islands. The Florida sand scrub habitat has an assortment of many other unique animals, including sand skinks, and a bizarre creature called the worm lizard. In short, the habitat is only in Florida, it’s in serious trouble, and has a big,blue and very friendly flagship species in the bird. A no-brainer.
Conkey's story nearly brought a tear to my eye. It took the Navy, USDA, Local zoo , and Wildlife Center to make one bird move out. That pink boi has earned the title "Florida Bird"
This is like a Jon Bois video. Love the zoomy camera angles and the goofy text placement. Trumpeter swan should be the state bird for Minnesota. There's an entire book called The Trumpet of the Swan about a trumpeter swan without a voice named Louis who learns to read and write English and goes to school and interacts with humans in their daily life. Then the swan learns to play the literal trumpet. It's a cute story about overcoming your limitations by asking for help, being resourceful, and working hard.
this is an incredible video, I never knew how much i cared about state birds of a country i do not live in until you made this video, thank you. Holy crap Lois! I did not expect the NRA ideological twist, I have learnt an incredible lesson about how we live in a society...
I must have watched this video a dozen times and I only just now realized that the music that plays starting at 10:03 is an instrumental version of Sufjan Steven's "Seven Swans". Well played.
The Varied Thrush would be an excellent pick for Washington State. It's thickest year round distribution is centered on the state and it is a beautiful if slightly elusive rainforest dweller that would represent the state well!
Not just rainforests, but in forests all across both halves of the state. Migratory thrushes even winter in the Scrublands. And the call at evening time is a mysterious thing, carrying out of the depths of the woods, seeming to echo itself even as it rises in pitch.
Hey my dude, I loved this video! So good. Baltimore Oriole is an excellent and unique state bird for Maryland. Blue Heron would also be a good choice. Not all state birds are crap, but I get the comedy behind your premise! Loved the background music for each bird.
damn man. most of my recommended stuff is 1 minute or shorter. you kept me for 23. really appreciated all the meta jokes they had me going. mothman is the best bird for sure
This is one of the best videos I've ever seen on this God-forsaken website: equal parts funny, informative, and engaging. I need more of this type of content. At the risk of getting accused of simping, I honestly think you should win an award for it. Well done you beautiful bastard.
No mention of the Minnesota loon? It's native to Minnesota, unique to the state(in population density) , very common due to number of lakes. Plus iconic in that it's used by the lottery, many local establishments and sports teams. It only lost points because due to the distance to Canada it wasn't "unique" to the US...
At first I was a little disappointed you didn't talk at all about my state's bird, but then I got over that disappointment when I remembered my state is a wholly irrelevant garbage fire. Carry on.
At least Maryland had the good sense to go with a bird named from the area, though the Baltimore Oriole was named for the similarities to Lord Baltimore's coat-of-arms, so it's a toss up I guess.
Wow, great video, I really loved it! The meandering style was perfect for the relaxed tone and humor, and the music was excellent, too. Just... really great job, this video made my day :)
Jam2go first, I must tell you this is a Phenomenal video! I can see that this could absolutely tap into the same vein of passion and sense of laughing at odd bureaucracy results like the 99percent flag video has done. In fact, I was about to send this along to a bunch of my friends after about 23seconds, but in 2min it was just a bit too slow to get to the punch line, like milliseconds, but this happened for almost every joke. Now I am from Maryland, and love my state bird, but I live in DC now and all my friends are from and/or work for the representatives of the states you talked about. I was going to send them this hilarious video to poke fun at them and It would have been forwarded on to the congressmen and state legislators as just an inter-office joke, and like the 99percent video, this had the potential to make actual change! But… as soon as you got more detailed than “the answer is usually Mormans” and added the 3d human bodies in the visuals, I knew you still held my attention span, but not anyone else I would send it to because I knew it would be like this for the next 23 min. If you are going to talk about the Idaho legitimate petition to change the state bird, don’t immediately discredit that idea by talking about the Mothman idea in West Virginia. Cut out the 30 seconds in Alaska about reindeer, that’s not about birds. I do love your jokes about grouse, but then you diverge into the flamingo in Florida for 10.5min, almost half the video. I just need to tell you to keep going, or to try again if this video doesn’t take off. Same video, just run it by some strangers (outside of Florida) to get some ideas for what to cut out. Absolutely dive into Florida but for max 3 min. If you want politicians to do something about it, just present your case, don’t run through why politicians are the problem. I know them and being defensive is half of their job (on both sides btw). I love it, and please keep going, and/or try again with this same topic.
Cool video. A bit miffed you didn’t talk about Oklahoma very much. The scissor-tail fly catcher is a very unique bird.. it may not be endemic to Oklahoma, but it is very much associated with our state. The city of Oklahoma City built a monument based on the fly catcher that is also a walking bridge across I-40 and is the central piece to our main park: Scissor-tail park. Pretty sure they aren’t going to change it, nor do I think they should.
I agree ! I think the program he used might have not liked it because they’re also prevalent in Texas , but Oklahoma is the only state that is entirely within their range. (Something which can’t be said for LeConte’s sparrow)
It's the contrast between the vaporwave aesthetics and the soft music and soft-spoken voice. Also, is that Regina Spektor's "Two Birds on a Wire" at the end of the video?
Accusing a bird of having “a welfare mentality” is the most Florida shit I think I’ve heard in my life, and I’ve literally lived there my whole life
Marion Hammer is 20 mockingbirds in a trench coat.
Needs more likes
🤣
Has to be lol
Mocking people like that just encourages and validates them, but I have to say, "mockingbird" is apt for a politician that does nothing but parrot ideological and organizational propaganda, shoehorning it into every possible context, in order to signal their brand.
The California Quail is a fine choice for a state bird, but it really should be the California Condor. One factor that is missing from the qualifications for a state bird you've pointed out is the importance of a historical story that's relevant to the state. While that would likely allow Utah to keep their gulls, it would also allow the story of how the California Condor was nursed back from extinction in the 80s to factor in. Growing up in California, that was a pretty major story in my youth. I don't really care how far they roam, they're from California, because at one point in the 80s, the only California Condors that existed anywhere were in a sanctuary and rehabilitation center in California. They're an inspiring story of the triumph of science and a great example of the power of regulations to have a positive impact.
Hey Brian, please allow me to comment on your belief about the California Condor. Yes, government agencies and volunteers have worked hard to maintain a "wild" population of condor in California. The issue I have is condors have not recovered in spite of all the effort. The remaining few hundred birds are not capable of sustaining themselves. They rely on humans for much of their food and overall well-being. They are not truly wild birds at all. The decline of the condor is not about habitat loss or really about human activity. The condor evolved in North America to feed on carcasses of the large mammals that used to inhabit North America, species that went extinct eons ago for a variety of reasons, including (pre-fossil fuel) climate change and predation by humans when humans were still hunter gatherers. These were natural evolutionary processes. The efforts to save these birds, in my view, is misguided. Over many hundreds of millions of years, species like dinosaurs and millions of others have had their time on Earth and due to failure to adapt to ever-changing environments and cataclysms like meteor strikes and volcanism -- again, natural processes -- have gone extinct. Otherwise we'd still have T-Rex terrorizing us. Long before humans evolved on Earth. So, why do we feel it's important to "save" this bird? Compare the condor with Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon. Both these species were also targeted for preservation efforts, which have been hugely successful. Once DDT was banned, and with some interventions by humans, both species have thrived and are near to, if they have not already, been removed from federal endangered species strictest protections. The condor is a majestic creature, no doubt. It had its time. That time passed.
@@venturino1962 The Californian condor was driven to extinction by humans in the same way that almost all vultures have been, we poisoned their food (accidentally...mostly). For the Californian Condor, it was lead poisoning from buckshot. Vulture restaurants are used worldwide to protect vulture populations from human contaminated carrion (in other countries it is a drug used in cattle), and it's very effective. Given the chance the Californian Condor could return to the US at large, it just needs time and we can give it that.
I definitely think birds with cultural or historical significance to that state make perfect state birds.
"no scrubs" by TLC when you're discussing the Florida scrub jay; "Flamingo" when you're talking about the flamingos. I love it.
Definitely, then the close with "Two birds on a wire". The song choices here really make the video.
I was racking my brain to try and figure out a song from the start, until I figured out the theme, and realized it was "Two Doves" by Dirty Projectors. Amazing.
And "Mockingbird"
"seven swans" when (eventually) talking about (three) swans, too
No love for _I Ran_ by A Flock of Seagulls during the bit on the California Seagull in Utah, huh?
This is the first link my 16y/o nephew has ever shared with me! I'm so happy he found a cool thing and wanted to share with his weirdo aunt.
Yay for being the cool aunt, as the weirdo aunt is of course a subtype of the cool aunt branch.
That was a journey
Cody approved
The two dislikes are from mockingbirds
Yeah, but they were just trolling.
66*
So did the flamingo for florida
Ya wanna learn about birds?
Not really.
Ya wanna learn about birds...in a vaguely vaporwave aesthetic?
Ｙ Ｅ Ｓ
I have to say it is strongly the opposite for me. This was a good video though
I'm so thankful that you made this video after we changed the state flag in Mississippi. I am also thankful in general that you made this video. I think it is the best state bird content that I have seen in forever.
The new state flag of Mississippi is awesome
Agreed, Mississippi's state flag is gorgeous... totally worth a complex shape like a magnolia flower, if it looks like that! Plus, describing it as a "white flower" would still produce a recognizable flag, so the complexity is a moot point!
As a native New Mexican, I think I speak for the whole state when I say we love our roadrunners and would like to keep them. Great video!
New Mexico’s most unique is the chihuahuan raven, but they should %100 keep the roadrunner
Our tiny dinosaurs are the best thing about this state!
This feels like the love child of Bill Wurtz absurdism and Tom Scott neat trivia. Love it.
This is so fucking accurate
And Jon Bois animation style/absurd detail
@@ben-jammin121 He is all of these, and he traveled to Florida. Do I spy Nick Robinson? 👀
Lmao I literally just described this channel on first impression to my brother as if Bill Wurtz and exurb1a combined into one person, dropped acid, and forgot how to speak. But that was just after seeing the animated cat film. Now I see that they do remember how to speak after CGP grey joined in on the acid trip
@@ben-jammin121 I was also gonna add the visuals reminded me of Jon Bois
The subtle music changes with song names relating to the birds was amazing.
I subbed to this channel a few years ago for the music, but I haven’t really been keeping up with the channel. I saw this in my sub feed because I was bored and this vid is awesome! It reminds me a lot of Jon Bois, but more chill in a way.
Yes the Jon bois compliment is great.
Informative, detailed, hilarious, and very calming. This is the kind of saving grace content youtube needs. Amazing work.
I actually introduced a bill in Michigan to change away from the Robin to something unique, the Kirtland's Warbler.
Oh cool! I read a news article about your efforts! I support that proposal because it would bring awareness to an endangered habitat.
@@robertborland5083 my bill was in the 90s so you probably read about the newer proposal. It's doomed because it just is, but they also didn't do their legal research, they don't cite either of the 2 previous attempts.
MOST ANTICIPATED VIDEO ESSAY??!??? I’m so hyped for this
Choked when you mentioned my hometown of Jupiter--miss it a lot.
Fantastic video, sir. Tom Scott sent me, and he was right: you do have a Jon Bois vibe, in the best way.
The city of Madison WI official bird is the pink plastic lawn flamingo
Because we're the best
RIP Don Featherstone
Roadrunners are neat! Since they can run at speeds over 15 mph and most of their prey is on the ground, roadrunners don’t have much of a reason to fly. On those occasions when they need to escape a predator, reach a branch, or catch a flying insect, roadrunners will fly for short distances, usually only lasting for a few seconds. While gulls are classified as seabirds, gulls aren't just found by the sea. California gulls for example can be found in the Dakotas, up to northern Canada, and even New Mexico! And Franklin's gulls are found throughout the Great Plains! But that aside, I think the trumpeter swan is a fine choice for Minnesota! Trumpeter swans are the heaviest living bird native to North America on top of the world's largest waterfowl species.
It has a wingspan of 185 to 304.8 cm (6 ft 2 in to 10 ft 2 in), and male trumpeters weigh on average over 26 pounds! About twice as massive as tundra swans! Trumpeter swans are found in different spots on the continent like the coast of British Columbia, Alaska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Although awkward on the ground due to short legs set behind their center of gravity, they can walk more than a mile at a time! Even with cygnets. Starting in the 1600s, market hunters and feather collectors had decimated Trumpeter Swan populations by the late 1800s. Aggressive conservation helped the species recover by the early 2000s.
Good video, but....I am flabbergasted you went through this entire exercise and didn't mention the Baltimore Oriole for Maryland. Maryland has a very good track record for naming things that actually have to do with the state. It also has an S-tier state flag and state day. Calico cat (colors), Chesapeake Bay Retriever (dog), Blue Crab.... etc. etc.
Damn, this has got to be up there with History of Japan for surprisingly high-effort and engaging information on something you didn't know you wanted to know.
I have to say that every musical cover here was fantastic. Especially loved the Kero Kero Bonito track.
"Oh- no, that's just sampling. That's totally okay..." *waves his cassette*
this video was so much fun. Fantastic job Jammy.
How many shrimp would you have to eat
@@mappsy1991 before they make your feathers pink
Not sure, but be careful. Shrimp are pretty rich.
17:54 I love the turquoise scrub jay
Great video; I'm impressed by the amount of research and legwork that went into this. By the way, for future reference, 'grouse' rhymes with 'mouse'.
OK the TLC in the background when he starts talking about Scrubjays was not necessarily the best part of the video but it made an already great video awesome.
Seven Swans by Sufjan Stevens won me over
Great video! I love your sense of humor :)
"wonder why that happened"
@Jam2go I come back to this video all the time. It's something special, and you have a real talent. I'm also Canadian, and I love the part where you say we have the best birds. The loon is one of my favourite animals on this planet.
I'm crying, I love birds so much, and I love you for making this video.
Bonus points for using the song “Flamingo” by Kero Kero Bonito when you started talking about the history of the flamingo in Florida
Also Eminem's mockingbird
@@JayanthRajakumar Came to the comments looking for this, got a good chuckle out of me when the Mockingbird instrumental started playing
this just came out but i love the production value already
Playing No Scrubs by TLC while traveling to the scrublands of FL is the attention to detail I needed.
The best non-Jon Bois video essay on youtube right now.
This is the best Jon Bois video yet
didn't expect to watch a 23 minute video about state birds from a country I don't even live in, but here I am. and I enjoyed every minute of it, excellent job!
What is your country / regional state bird ?
@@CastleBomb44 Ontario Canada, so the common loon!
At 10:05, is that a cover of Seven Swans by Sufjan Stevens?
EDIT: I should have waited until the end of the video, it is. I really like it.
'The Jupiter Scrublands' sounds like the coolest setting for a cyberpunk story in space
This is one of those times when I think to myself, " What the heck did I do with my time before the internet?"
The use of "Two Birds" at the end actually made me swoon.
Very cute and I love the humor.
It made me cry haha
There's even a pelican on the Louisiana flag, though not a brown pelican. On the flag, the pelican is wounding itself to feed its young, which is a medieval belief that became a Christian symbol and pelicans don't actually do that. The flag was adopted in 1912 and was modified twice, in 2006 and 2010. In 2006, three drops of blood were added. In 2010, the pelicans were given are more realistic design as the pelicans used to be quite cartoonish. Baton Rouge artist Curtis Vann Jr. used a more realistic depiction of a brown pelican for his design, although rendered in white as required by law and also incorporated the brown pelican's yellow-brown crown.
And yes, that Bass Pro Shops pyramid in Memphis is real, and there's even a lodge inside. But it wasn't always a Bass Pro Shop. It was originally an arena. It opened in 1991 and was the home court of the University of Memphis men's basketball program, and later for the Memphis Grizzlies from 2001 to 2004. On opening night, the arena floor flooded because of inadequate drainage pumps, forcing stagehands to sandbag the entire perimeter to preserve the electrical runs under the stage. The Pyramid was originally thought to be more than suitable for an NBA team but it was discovered that it needed to be significantly upgraded in order to be a viable NBA arena. So they just built a new arena in 2004 as a condition for the Grizzlies relocation.
I had a Loon call that I took camping with me. About the neatest thing in the world. I got a chorus going but never actually saw any loons. The call device spins around on a string and does both the regular wail and the yodel wail. Good loon calls, it's pretty cool.
Absolutely hit the nail on the head with the outro song.
Judging from the aesthetic to which this video was made, I'm going to assume that calling the Western Tanager the "Western Tanger" was a deliberate choice. That will never stop making me smile.
American Flamingo: State Waterbird.
Florida Scrub-Jay: State (Land) Bird.
Both are indeed native to Florida, and both are good representatives.
If I had to choose one, then it should be the jay. They are neat birds. They live in little family groups that all help each other raise the chicks- rare in birds. Their only habitat is unique to Florida. This environment has a huge number of endemic plants; a relic of the distant past when the central peninsula was a group of islands. The Florida sand scrub habitat has an assortment of many other unique animals, including sand skinks, and a bizarre creature called the worm lizard.
In short, the habitat is only in Florida, it’s in serious trouble, and has a big,blue and very friendly flagship species in the bird. A no-brainer.
Conkey's story nearly brought a tear to my eye. It took the Navy, USDA, Local zoo , and Wildlife Center to make one bird move out. That pink boi has earned the title "Florida Bird"
This was glorious. I came ready for I dunno... Two minutes of bird content and jokes? Left soooooooo incredibly satisfied
I love this! Different from what ya normally do but it’s super well produced and very interesting.
This is like a Jon Bois video. Love the zoomy camera angles and the goofy text placement.
Trumpeter swan should be the state bird for Minnesota. There's an entire book called The Trumpet of the Swan about a trumpeter swan without a voice named Louis who learns to read and write English and goes to school and interacts with humans in their daily life. Then the swan learns to play the literal trumpet. It's a cute story about overcoming your limitations by asking for help, being resourceful, and working hard.
Your style is positively charming and unique. I just discovered this channel, and I'm instantly hooked.
this is an incredible video, I never knew how much i cared about state birds of a country i do not live in until you made this video, thank you.
Holy crap Lois! I did not expect the NRA ideological twist, I have learnt an incredible lesson about how we live in a society...
Informative, humorous, well-edited, researched, and scripted video aside, your hair is marvelous
This might be the greatest video I've ever seen. Please make more of these
I must have watched this video a dozen times and I only just now realized that the music that plays starting at 10:03 is an instrumental version of Sufjan Steven's "Seven Swans". Well played.
This video is amazing. Thanks to Tom Scott for sharing this in his weekly newsletter!
The 3D renderings you see in the background from previous infographics are an amazing touch. The music is also 100% on point.
Way2go! Great video, glad you're getting deserved attention! Please, oh, please release all your covers as song tracks!! 🙏💖
The Varied Thrush would be an excellent pick for Washington State. It's thickest year round distribution is centered on the state and it is a beautiful if slightly elusive rainforest dweller that would represent the state well!
Not just rainforests, but in forests all across both halves of the state. Migratory thrushes even winter in the Scrublands. And the call at evening time is a mysterious thing, carrying out of the depths of the woods, seeming to echo itself even as it rises in pitch.
Hey my dude, I loved this video! So good. Baltimore Oriole is an excellent and unique state bird for Maryland. Blue Heron would also be a good choice. Not all state birds are crap, but I get the comedy behind your premise! Loved the background music for each bird.
damn man. most of my recommended stuff is 1 minute or shorter. you kept me for 23. really appreciated all the meta jokes they had me going. mothman is the best bird for sure
I never post comments, but this really spoke to my soul, so thanks.
This is one of the best videos I've ever seen on this God-forsaken website: equal parts funny, informative, and engaging. I need more of this type of content. At the risk of getting accused of simping, I honestly think you should win an award for it. Well done you beautiful bastard.
Okay this is actually amazing, I didn't know a video about birds could grab my attention for so long :D
No mention of the Minnesota loon? It's native to Minnesota, unique to the state(in population density) , very common due to number of lakes. Plus iconic in that it's used by the lottery, many local establishments and sports teams. It only lost points because due to the distance to Canada it wasn't "unique" to the US...
Yeah, Minnesota got totally written off. They have one of the best state birds no doubt
Loon should definitely stay - Minnesota-Ontario state bird loon solidarity
This is seriously one of the best videos I've watched. Didn't think I would actually sit through all 23 min but here I am wanting to watch it again.
Love hearing the cover of Kero Kero Bonito's "Flamingo" at 14:44
I've shared this video with so many friends and literally forced my wife to watch it with me, it's absolutely fantastic!
i didn't know you were making a video essay... its a welcome surprise, this is really good.
As a lover of birds, well designed methodologies, and a former resident of Palm Beach FL, I feel like this video was made for me. Please do more.
Love the subtle "I Ran" by A Flock of Seagulls during the Utah bit
Been subscribed for a while now and i was excited to see this posted on reddit yesterday! Love the new angle, keep it up
I really like how you have "Seven Swans" by Sufjan playing in the background at about the 10 minute mark :)
Fascinating and often hilarious. And your voice is so, so soothing, I'd like you to read to me every night before I go to sleep.
Mockingbird apologist: "Its a frumpy looking little blue and brownish bird..."
An Intellectual: "How dare you!"
Yeah and the Mockingbird is literally gray, brown and black haha
TH-cam algorithm do your dirty work. TO THE TOP WITH THIS ONE.
I've had this video on repeat all day because your voice is so soothing and the topic is just brilliant.
This took me on a whole trip around the country. I didn't expect some of these destinations but I enjoyed myself none the less. Thank you!
This was the last thing I expected in my sub box and it was awesome. You make good stuff man. Keep it up!
The beat from "I don't want no scrubs" whilst looking for the blue scrubJay through the scrublands of Florida was not lost on me.
I love the two birds rendition at the end
At first I was a little disappointed you didn't talk at all about my state's bird, but then I got over that disappointment when I remembered my state is a wholly irrelevant garbage fire. Carry on.
This is exactly the type of video I come to TH-cam for. Great work on this, the editing was almost as interesting as the content.
Nice touch choosing to play Seven Swans!
What an excellent video! I'm always happy when I get a notification reminding me I was subscribed to this channel.
Playing No Scrubs during the Florida’s Scrub Jay section was excellent.
At least Maryland had the good sense to go with a bird named from the area, though the Baltimore Oriole was named for the similarities to Lord Baltimore's coat-of-arms, so it's a toss up I guess.
The same reason our state cat is the calico, it looks like our flag, or the coat of arms.
And ngl I think the Oriole trumps any kind of seagull anyday.
I did not know this. *The more you know!*
I seriously love the outro music being (I believe) two birds by Regina Spector seriously so much attention went into every part of this video
Brilliant video! I can’t imagine all the work and research that went into this. Great job!
Wow, great video, I really loved it! The meandering style was perfect for the relaxed tone and humor, and the music was excellent, too. Just... really great job, this video made my day :)
You are gloriously deadpan in delivery and the video is very informative..
I shared this with a bunch of the ecology and evolution researchers in my graduate program and they LOVED it. Amazing visuals, music, and messaging!
Oh my god I love the visuals you made for this video and I fucking love birds, now I love you
This is the best random video I’ve seen all year. This is so well done. What did you use to make this?? I love it and i want more
I peeped some footage from Flamingo Gardens in your vid. Cheers from another Florida Native. Loved your vid!
Man, I love your voice and info you presented as well as the way you presented it. VERY well done!!!
2:42 Puffins look like that dude from the office that everyone loves, but has never hung out with outside of work.
Can't believe how good this was. One of my favourite videos in a long time
The ending with Regina Spektor’s Two Birds instrumental was subtle and very fun. Loved this!
Jam2go first, I must tell you this is a Phenomenal video! I can see that this could absolutely tap into the same vein of passion and sense of laughing at odd bureaucracy results like the 99percent flag video has done. In fact, I was about to send this along to a bunch of my friends after about 23seconds, but in 2min it was just a bit too slow to get to the punch line, like milliseconds, but this happened for almost every joke. Now I am from Maryland, and love my state bird, but I live in DC now and all my friends are from and/or work for the representatives of the states you talked about. I was going to send them this hilarious video to poke fun at them and It would have been forwarded on to the congressmen and state legislators as just an inter-office joke, and like the 99percent video, this had the potential to make actual change! But… as soon as you got more detailed than “the answer is usually Mormans” and added the 3d human bodies in the visuals, I knew you still held my attention span, but not anyone else I would send it to because I knew it would be like this for the next 23 min.
If you are going to talk about the Idaho legitimate petition to change the state bird, don’t immediately discredit that idea by talking about the Mothman idea in West Virginia. Cut out the 30 seconds in Alaska about reindeer, that’s not about birds. I do love your jokes about grouse, but then you diverge into the flamingo in Florida for 10.5min, almost half the video. I just need to tell you to keep going, or to try again if this video doesn’t take off. Same video, just run it by some strangers (outside of Florida) to get some ideas for what to cut out.
Absolutely dive into Florida but for max 3 min. If you want politicians to do something about it, just present your case, don’t run through why politicians are the problem. I know them and being defensive is half of their job (on both sides btw). I love it, and please keep going, and/or try again with this same topic.
Cool video. A bit miffed you didn’t talk about Oklahoma very much. The scissor-tail fly catcher is a very unique bird.. it may not be endemic to Oklahoma, but it is very much associated with our state.
The city of Oklahoma City built a monument based on the fly catcher that is also a walking bridge across I-40 and is the central piece to our main park: Scissor-tail park.
Pretty sure they aren’t going to change it, nor do I think they should.
I agree ! I think the program he used might have not liked it because they’re also prevalent in Texas , but Oklahoma is the only state that is entirely within their range. (Something which can’t be said for LeConte’s sparrow)
It's the contrast between the vaporwave aesthetics and the soft music and soft-spoken voice. Also, is that Regina Spektor's "Two Birds on a Wire" at the end of the video?
Your midi Meadowlark song (by Fleet Foxes) at 5 minute mark was not lost on me!
Thank you Tom Scott!