This week let’s meet the biggest parrot in the world, the Hyacinth Macaw. These big beauties from Brazil grow to be about a metre in length from the tip of their tail to the top of their head, easily making them the longest parrot. Only the flightless Kakapo beats them out in weight. An incrediblyContinue reading “Bird 346 – Hyacinth Macaw”
Author Archives: nathanfinger
Bird 345 – Ribbon-Tailed Astrapia
This week we meet one of the most brilliant, but maybe poorly known birds in the world: the Ribbon-tailed Astrapia. The Astrapia is a member of the Birds-of-Paradise family. People who have been following me for a while may remember I went a bit BoP crazy there a while back, so if you want toContinue reading “Bird 345 – Ribbon-Tailed Astrapia”
Bird 344 – Principe Scops Owl
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Bold claim, I know. You’re thinking we’ve probably found pretty much every bird there is. I mean … you probably weren’t thinking that, but now that I’ve said it, you’re thinking, yeah that sounds like a reasonable statement. Unless you’re thinking this is an obvious bluff and I’m aboutContinue reading “Bird 344 – Principe Scops Owl”
Bird 343 – Red-Headed Trogon
Today we meet a bird based solely on the fact that I think they’re pretty. Will I have anything of interest to say beyond, ‘gees check out that plumage’? We will see. But first, let’s check out the plumage of the Red-Headed Trogon! Undoubtedly, this brilliant red bird is rather handsome. With a golden back,Continue reading “Bird 343 – Red-Headed Trogon”
Bird 342 – Razorbill
This week we meet the Penguin in the north, the Razorbill. And sure enough, at first glance the Razorbill has a strong Penguin resemblance. They have white bellies and black backs; they spend the majority of their life out at sea, only coming to land to lay their eggs; they’re speciality dive hunters and areContinue reading “Bird 342 – Razorbill”
Bird 341 – Masked Tityra
This week we meet a cheeky little bird from central America, the Masked Tityra. Strange name, let’s find out what they’re about. At first glance, these guys look a little like a fancy version of the Butcherbird, with their compact size and hooked pointy beak. But these are a fruit loving bird of the tropics,Continue reading “Bird 341 – Masked Tityra”
Bird – 340 Sanderling
This week we meet one of the most adorable birds that you will find gracing our beaches: the Sanderling. Cute name, it actually means sand ploughman and we will find out why. So basic facts about the Sanderling: they’re a type of sandpiper, but one the smallest, coming in at under 20cm. Even so, theyContinue reading “Bird – 340 Sanderling”
Bird 339 – Great Curassow
Have you ever wondered what would happen if Chickens had evolved in Central America? Well your sleepless nights are over, because the answer is the Great Curassow. These birds are the long lost relatives of chickens and pheasants. In their tropical jungle home they have grown big and beefy. The males are jet black, butContinue reading “Bird 339 – Great Curassow”
Bird 338 – Little Corella
This week we have another Australian favourite, or maybe they’re a pest, I guess it all depends on your point of view. Our point of view is aggressively pro bird, so they’re a favourite: the Little Corella. The Little Corella is like a budget version of a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. The Corella is a small member ofContinue reading “Bird 338 – Little Corella”
Bird 337 – Tui
Ah, tomorrow is Australia Day, and you know what that means. At Bird of the Week it is officially New Zealand Bird Appreciation Day. And this year do I have a beauty for you, the Tui. The Tui is a large species of honeyeater. Just one look at this fellow and you can tell they’re unique.Continue reading “Bird 337 – Tui”
Bird of the Week 