So what will it be, kids? Osprey, great egret, black skimmer, snowy egret or brown pelican?

While we adults decide who will become president, Florida's fourth- through eighth-graders will have the chance to vote on which of our feathered friends will replace the mockingbird as the state bird.

Teachers and parents can visit Vote4bird.org to get information about the candidates for the children to review leading up to the actual balloting, which will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 4.

The Florida DOE, which is sponsoring the initiative with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, calls the activity "a great way to introduce students to the importance of their involvement in our democracy." We just like that you can vote for a pelican rather than a politician.

*