“North Carolina designated the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) as the official state bird in 1943. One of America’s favorite backyard birds, cardinals are distinctive in appearance and song – known for their “cheer cheer cheer,” “whit-chew whit-chew” and “purty purty purty” whistles.”
“The blossom of the dogwood tree (Cornus florida) was designated as the official state flower of North Carolina in 1941. The Dogwood is one of the most common trees in North Carolina, found in all parts of the state from the mountains to the coast.”