Maine’s chickadee is flying the coop. Or rather, it’s flying off the state license plate.

The state’s new license plate design was unveiled on Monday. It features a white pine—the state tree—and the North Star. These icons appeared on Maine’s first official flag way back in 1901. (Should Maine residents adopt a similar design for a new state flag? They will vote in November to decide.)

The old design with the chickadee, Maine’s state bird, was introduced in 1999. Now many plates that have it are peeling. They need to be replaced.

“Public safety is the number one reason we’re retiring the chickadee plate and replacing it with a pine tree today. But we also love the new design,” says Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.

The chickadee flew in to replace a license plate featuring a crustacean. It was supposed to be a lobster, Maine’s signature food. Critics complained that it looked more like a cooked crawdad.

What if Mainers don’t like the new design? They don’t have to worry. Motorists can request a plate without a design. But the pine and star on Maine’s first flag are growing in popularity already. Mainers have started wearing them proudly on hats, tote bags, and T-shirts.

Each state in the United States has its own flag and license plate. If you live in the United States, do you know what your state flag and plate look like? Imagine designing new ones is your job. What images and words do you think would best represent your home? Learn some design principles in a new Explore It! activity.

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution. — 1 Peter 2:13