As the legislative session draws to a close, one lawmaker swooped in and amended a bill that would have designated the osprey as Oregon's state bird.

Now Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton, wants the osprey recognized as the state raptor. The amended legislation would retain the Western meadowlark as the state's songbird.

Just last week, Girod's bill wasn't expected to advance. It had sat for months in the House Committee on Rules and wasn't scheduled for a hearing. A House Democrats spokesman said the measure was not among their top priorities.

But that changed Monday morning when Girod's amended bill was abruptly added to the committee agenda. It was approved unanimously and heads to the full House for a vote this week.

"I just want to thank Sen. Girod for all his hard work on this," said Rep. Jennifer Williamson, D-Portland, who chairs the committee. "He cares deeply about this bill."

The Audubon Society of Portland and other birding chapters fought the bill earlier in the session, arguing that the meadowlark should remain as the state bird, which it has been in practice since a statewide survey of schoolchildren in the early 1900s. Audubon had suggested the state hold a separate contest to pick an official state raptor.

Girod's amended bill answered those concerns. "A multifaceted Oregon calls for two types of state bird: the state raptor and the state songbird," the bill reads.

The lawmaker had said previously he wanted to get children "jazzed about birds," and the songbird didn't achieve that goal. The amended bill takes a more conciliatory tone and praises both birds. "there is room in the hearts of Oregonians for two symbolic birds," the bill reads.

Bob Sallinger, conservation director with the Audubon Society of Portland, said he was "tremendously disappointed" with the way the legislature moved the amended bill through with no discussion or public comment.

Doing so "alienates the people who care most about this issue," he said.

"When politicians wonder why the public is cynical about public process this bill is a great example of why that is the case," he said.

Though pleased the songbird maintained its title, Sallinger said he hoped future legislatures would engage in substantive discussion before passing legislation. He added, he hopes those bills would "actually protect bird populations."

-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen