CLEVELAND, April 2 -- If state political leaders did not know their state's bird, they do now! Wild Republic recently sent State Governors and Senators their respective state birds from Wild Republic's newly introduced U.S.A. State Birds Collection. Even President Bush received a complete set of the collection! Licensed by the National Audubon Society and featuring authentic birdcalls from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the U.S.A. State Birds Collection is part of the company's hottest selling collectible plush line -- Audubon birds by Wild Republic. The State Birds Collection includes 28 plush beanbag birds that represent all 50 states, and the United States' national bird, the Bald Eagle.

"Birding is a national pastime," says John Trenta of Wild Republic, a division of K&M International, Inc. and leading supplier of nature themed toys to specialty retailers, zoos, museums and aquariums around the world. "It's a family activity and is the second most popular hobby in the United States after gardening. According to statistics, Americans spend $30 billion annually on goods for watching and studying birds. This hobby has also led to the collecting of bird related items, like the plush Audubon birds by Wild Republic."

Wild Republic unveiled the U.S.A. State Birds Collection -- the largest collection of birds to be added to our Audubon bird product line -- earlier this year.

These realistic looking birds help educate children and adults about birds and their sounds and habitats in a fun and creative manner. "Each bird comes with a hangtag that lists the state or states it represents, its migration pattern and other key features and facts about the species and its birdcall," says Trenta. "Many first-time collectors are trying to get their hands on all of the U.S.A. State Birds."

U.S.A. State Bird Collection:

• American Goldfinch - Iowa, New Jersey, Washington
• American Robin - Connecticut, Michigan, Wisconsin
• Baltimore Oriole - Maryland
• Black-capped Chickadee - Maine, Massachusetts
• Blue Hen Chicken - Delaware
• Brown Pelican - Louisiana
• Brown Thrasher - Georgia
• Cactus Wren - Arizona
• California Gull - Utah
• California Quail - California
• Northern Cardinal - Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
• Carolina Wren - South Carolina
• Common Loon - Minnesota
• Eastern Bluebird - Missouri, New York
• Hermit Thrush - Vermont
• Lark Bunting - Colorado
• Mockingbird - Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas
• Mountain Bluebird - Idaho, Nevada
• Nene - Hawaii
• Northern Flicker - Alabama
• Purple Finch - New Hampshire
• Rhode Island Red - Rhode Island
• Ring-necked Pheasant - South Dakota
• Greater Roadrunner - New Mexico
• Ruffed Grouse - Pennsylvania
• Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Oklahoma
• Western Meadowlark - Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Wyoming
• Willow Ptarmigan - Alaska

Consumers can find Audubon birds at Hallmark, FAO Schwarz and Borders Books store locations in various markets throughout the United States, as well as a variety of zoos and specialty stores in the U.S. and Canada. For a complete listing of retail locations that sell Audubon birds in your area, simply log on to www.wildrepublic.com.

Wild Republic is a division of K&M International, Inc, which is headquartered near Cleveland, Ohio, and is the leading provider of nature- themed toys to the zoo, aquarium, museum and specialty toy and gift markets. The brand's consumer Web site is located at www.wildrepublic.com.