To commemorate the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, today I present a bird in permanent mourning, the Sooty Oystercatcher. Every feather on the Sooty Oystercatcher is a dark black. With the exception of its bright red beak and eyes, and strangely pink legs. Their tell-tale plumage makes them an unmistakable bird of theContinue reading “Bird 266 – Sooty Oystercatcher”
Author Archives: nathanfinger
Bird 265 – Wake Island Rail
Today I’m going to introduce you to a largely unknown casualty of World War II, the Wake Island Rail. First, I apologise for the less than brilliant photo, but the sad fact is there are almost no pictures of this bird, because they are rather extinct. Let’s break it down. Where is Wake Island? It isContinue reading “Bird 265 – Wake Island Rail”
Bird 264 – Secretary Bird (II)
On the plains of African there lives an eagle. But this is no ordinary eagle. This is the most glamourous eagle you have ever seen. They’ve got orange eyeshadow, a funky hair do, a set of legs that don’t know how to quit, and the longest most lushest eyelashes that have ever been batted. That’s right,Continue reading “Bird 264 – Secretary Bird (II)”
Bird 263 – Pterodactyl
What’s this beast? This is no bird. This is a dinosaur. Well, birds are technically dinosaurs. But there is still a twist here, because Pterodactyls aren’t dinosaurs either. But we can learn a little something about birds, evolution and where they came from by looking at this ridiculous winged lizard, this bird wannabe. It mayContinue reading “Bird 263 – Pterodactyl”
Thick-billed Raven
Today we meet a Raven, but not just any old Raven, maybe the most bizarre Raven of all, the Thick-billed Raven. I’m sure you’ve already worked out how they got their name. They are a Raven with a thick bill. And these guys are real chonkers. Among the corvid family they have the biggest beaks,Continue reading “Thick-billed Raven”
Bird 261 – Mute Swan
Today we have one of the most elegant birds in the world, the Mute Swan. Despite the name, Mute Swans are not mute. They are more than capable of making a range of honks and hisses. The name arises because the Mute Swan is less inclined to make a hullabaloo than other swan species. SoContinue reading “Bird 261 – Mute Swan”
Bird 260 – Rainbow Lorikeet
There is no more colourful bird in Australia than the Rainbow Lorikeet. If there’s a colour you can think of they got it: blue, green, yellow, red, orange. Not pink though … so … nearly every colour. Now, the Lorikeet is well known to most Australians. Between their bright colours, large flocks, loud screams andContinue reading “Bird 260 – Rainbow Lorikeet”
Bird 259 – Harpy Eagle
Today we meet a bird which is simultaneously hilarious and terrifying: the Harpy Eagle. In recent years, these birds gained traction on the internet because they kinda look like a person cosplaying as a bird. It makes for a creepy effect, what with their human proportions, round head and odd crest feathers. The reason they kinda lookContinue reading “Bird 259 – Harpy Eagle”
Bird 258 – Eastern Whipbird
Contained in the image below is probably the best glance you’ve ever had of an Eastern Whipbird. And yet, anyone who has ventured into the Australian bush has heard their unmistakable call. Even if you haven’t, I’m sure the name gave it away, because they produce a high-pitched whistle and crack that sounds just like aContinue reading “Bird 258 – Eastern Whipbird”
Bird 257 – Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
Ah the Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill. This is a Hornbill from southern Africa that has … a … yellow bill. So you know, it kinda does what it says on the label. As you have undoubtedly discerned, its most striking feature is its large down-turned beak, which seems grossly oversized for a bird of its proportions.Continue reading “Bird 257 – Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill”
Bird of the Week 