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The Bird (mascot)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Air Force Academy mascot. For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation).
The Bird is the mascot of the United States Air Force Academy. The Bird is also the name of the bronze falcon statuette presented to distinguished visitors or speakers at the Academy. After the distinguished visitor is finished, they are presented with the statuette under the traditional line, "...we would like to give to you what cadets affectionately call 'the bird.' " All cadets in the audience finish this sentence by calling out this name.
The falcon was chosen as the official mascot by the inaugural class of 1959 for its symbolization of the aerial combat of the US Air Force. The Air Force Academy falcon is the only performing mascot in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, performing at most football games and other athletic events and cadet parades. The birds are housed on the Academy grounds and trained by cadets.