The Delaware Blue Hen is a
blue strain of
American gamecock. It was adopted on April 14, 1939, as the
state bird A state bird is the insignia of a nation or a state (sub-national entity).
For lists of these animals, see:
* List of national birds, national birds on country level
* List of Australian bird emblems, for the Australian states
* List of Brazilian ...
of
Delaware.
It is one of three
U.S. state birds that is not a species native to the
United States.
History
The Blue Hen is not a recognized chicken breed. According to one story, during the
Revolutionary War, the men of Captain Jonathan Caldwell's company, recruited in
Kent County, took with them
game chickens that were said to be of the brood of a famous Blue Hen and were noted for their fighting ability.
The sports teams of the
University of Delaware are called the
Blue Hens, and their
mascot,
YoUDee, derives from the bird. In the 1960s
S. Hallock duPont, who bred Blue Hens (though not derived from the original Kent County stock), gave twelve birds to the University, which keeps a small flock at its College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. The birds have been
cross-bred with birds of the
Blue Andalusian breed from Spain, and have acquired many of its characteristics. They are Mediterranean in appearance, and no longer resemble the original fighting birds.
The Blue Hen is also the emblem of the
166th Airlift Wing
The 166th Airlift Wing (166th AW) of the Delaware Air National Guard (DANG) is stationed at New Castle Air National Guard Base, Delaware. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.
Ov ...
and its
142d Airlift Squadron
The 142d Airlift Squadron (142d AS) is a unit of the Delaware Air National Guard 166th Airlift Wing located at New Castle Air National Guard Base, Delaware. It is equipped with the C-130H Hercules.
Overview
The mission of the 142d Airlift Squad ...
, stationed in Delaware.
References
Symbols of Delaware
{{Delaware-stub