Connecticut Names Sue Bird Co-State Bird Each March

Connecticut lawmakers just approved a playful but meaningful honor: for the month of March, WNBA legend Sue Bird will join the American robin as a co-state bird. They tucked the move inside a sprawling 111-page bill, celebrating Bird’s deep ties to Connecticut—from her glory days at UConn to her professional career—while keeping the robin as the official symbol for the rest of the year.

With final legislative approval in place and Gov. Ned Lamont expected to sign, the state’s about to embrace a living sports icon as part of its state-symbol tradition.

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What the bill says about Connecticut’s symbols

In March, Connecticut’s symbolic bird won’t just be the robin—it’ll be Sue Bird too. That’s a pretty unique recognition and, honestly, a fun way to celebrate a Connecticut-born legend.

The change is meant as a seasonal tribute. It highlights the state’s long basketball history and its knack for mixing tradition with a little modern flair.

No one else has ever been named a co-state bird in Connecticut. Bird’s designation stands out as a one-of-a-kind honor, showing the state’s pride in national-level achievement and deep local roots.

The measure also reflects Connecticut’s ongoing push to spotlight homegrown talent who’ve put the state on the map, both nationally and internationally.

A unique honor for a basketball icon

Bird’s connection to Connecticut runs deep. Back at UConn, she helped the Huskies win two national titles and went undefeated in 2002.

Those moments are still a big deal in Connecticut basketball lore. Some folks, including Gov. Lamont, even call the state “the basketball capital of the world.”

Bird’s professional career? Pretty remarkable. She spent 19 years with the Seattle Storm, earned 13 All-Star selections, and became the WNBA’s career leader in assists, starts, and minutes played before retiring in 2022.

Her resume boasts four WNBA championships and five Olympic gold medals. Last year, she landed in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame—an honor Connecticut residents have cheered as a true homegrown success.

Statewide pride echoes across Connecticut towns

The announcement has sparked reactions all over, from busy cities like Hartford and New Haven to smaller, proud corners of the state.

People in Stamford, Bridgeport, and Norwalk see Bird’s March designation as a nod to Connecticut’s impact on women’s basketball and its willingness to spotlight living legends who’ve left their mark here.

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From the state capital to the shoreline and inland towns, residents see Bird’s recognition as part of a bigger Connecticut story—one that blends tradition with a fresh sense of inspiration.

In places like Bristol and Danbury, folks are talking about it over the weekend: basketball, local schools, and what state symbols really mean in daily life. Around Greenwich and New London, the news serves as a reminder that one athlete can become a symbol for a whole region’s identity.

What comes next and what it means for March

Now that the bill’s headed to the governor’s desk, March is about to get a little more interesting in Connecticut. The robin will still hold its place as the state bird, but during March, Sue Bird’s name will pop up alongside it in ceremonies, school events, and public shout-outs.

This move fits Connecticut’s habit of connecting public symbols with moments that highlight achievement, history, and, honestly, a bit of hometown pride. From Hartford to New Haven, Danbury to Middletown, it feels like more than just a quirky idea.

It’s a way of honoring local talent and encouraging young people in sports. Honestly, it says that greatness can start right here and make waves nationally.

Here is the source article for this story: Sue Bird will be Connecticut’s co-state bird each March

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