Basketball legend Sue Bird is set to add an unusual title to her list of accolades: Connecticut's co-state bird for the month of March. A bill approved by the state legislature and awaiting the governor's signature would designate the former UConn star alongside the American robin every March, starting next year.
The proposal, tucked into a 111-page omnibus bill, states that “the American robin, Turdus migratorius, shall be the state bird, provided in the month of March of each year, the American robin and Suzanne Brigit Bird, also known as Sue Bird, shall be the state birds.” The bill received final legislative approval on Wednesday and is expected to be signed by Governor Ned Lamont, who has declared Connecticut the basketball capital of the world.
State House Speaker Matt Ritter called it “a great honour,” noting that March will have two state birds. Bird, a Hall of Famer and five-time Olympic gold medallist, led the University of Connecticut to two national titles, including an undefeated 2002 season. She retired in 2022 after a 19-year WNBA career with the Seattle Storm, becoming the league's all-time leader in assists, starts and minutes played.
Bird posted the news on social media, with her podcast's Instagram account calling it “what an honour.” She was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame last year.
