The brown pelican is Louisiana's official bird. Pelicans are famous for their large bill,the lower portion of which has a pouch that can be greatly extended.

State Tree

The state tree is the bald cypress. Its shape, which varies from columnar to conical (bottle-shaped), depends greatly on the amount and duration of flooding in the area. The bark is reddish-brown, fibrous, thin, and divided into small, flat ridges and shallow furrows. Leaves of the cypress tree spread in flat planes in the feathery pattern on its branches.

State Dog

Photo courtesy of Linda Mckay, Breeder of these fine representatives of the Catahoula Breed The Catahoula Leopard Dog is the official state dog. It is a cross of the domestic dog the Indians of the Catahoula Lake region raised and the Spanish "war dog" that came through the area in the early 1500s. The Catahoula has unusual glassy eyes, webbed feet, a spotted coat, and is gentle with children.

STATE FLOWER

The large, creamy-white bloom of the Magnolia Tree was designated the state flower in 1900 because of its abundance throughout the state. The Magnolia is an evergreen and the flower is unusually fragrant.

STATE SEAL

The state seal was adopted in 1902 and features a pelican tearing flesh from its own breast to feed its young. The pelican and its three young are surrounded by the Louisiana motto, "Union, Justice, Confidence."

STATE FLAG

Louisiana's flag, though used since the 1800s, was not officially adopted until 1912. The design consists of the pelican group from the state seal, in white and gold, and a white ribbon bearing the state motto, on a field of a solid blue.