nathanfinger

Bird 74 – Mandarin Duck

Is it time to do a duck? I think it’s time to do a duck. But let’s not do any old duck, let’s do the fanciest duck there is. Let’s do the Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) It’s Latin name is quite fun, as it literally translates as diving wig. In Korea they are know asContinue reading “Bird 74 – Mandarin Duck”

Bird 73 – Sun Conure

So back when we did the Bird of the Year, there was a small controversy. One of you maverick subscribers felt the California Quail was not a worthy winner. But I mean, seriously, have you ever seen it? It’s a Quail from California, enough said. Instead the suggestion (outrageous) was made that the Sun ConureContinue reading “Bird 73 – Sun Conure”

Bird 72 – Victoria Crowned Pigeon

That mention of Pigeons at the end of last week made me realise I can’t remember the last time we did a good columbiforme. Actually, I lie, I know exactly when we last did a pigeon, it was Bird of the Week 61. I mean … I don’t keep a list. Stop asking about theContinue reading “Bird 72 – Victoria Crowned Pigeon”

Bird 71 – Flamingos

Ok, this week I’m going to answer a question I know all of you have asked at some point. What is the deal with Flamingos? I mean look at the damn thing: It’s 90% leg and neck, pink to boot, and that beak does not look right… you know what I’m saying. Lets cut toContinue reading “Bird 71 – Flamingos”

Fish 70 – Flying Fish

We’ve been at this game for a while now. We’ve covered everything from the Great White to the Clown. But this week we’re going to do something a little different. It’s said you should never judge a fish by it’s ability to climb a tree. But maybe, just maybe, we should judge a fish byContinue reading “Fish 70 – Flying Fish”

Bird 69 – Abbott’s Booby

Ah Bird of the Week 69, it’s a number we were always going to get to. And I know what a lot of you are thinking right now, and I just want to say, you’re all filthy. This is an innocent email service about birds, pigeons, plumage and murder. So I’m going to give youContinue reading “Bird 69 – Abbott’s Booby”

Bird 68 – Lyall’s Wren

We’ve done extinct birds before, but this week I’ve got an interesting story. An entire species of bird wiped out by a single cat, named Tibbles. Lyall’s Wren (Traversia Lyalli), was a small flightless wren native to Stephen’s island, which is located between the North and South Island of New Zealand. In 1894 several peopledContinue reading “Bird 68 – Lyall’s Wren”

Bird 67 – Wedge-tailed Eagle

Last week’s talk of Jurassic Park reminded me that we haven’t had a really good murder bird for a while. And you know me, I love a bird that loves to kill. So let’s go with an Australian classic, a raptor if you will: The Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) Now, these are some badass birds. Females canContinue reading “Bird 67 – Wedge-tailed Eagle”

Bird 66 – Huia

People sometimes ask how I find my birds. Am I doing research? … No, not really; they tend to fall in my lap. Prime example: couple of weeks ago I was watching Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016). For anyone that hasn’t seen it, I’d recommend, and best describe it as a movie where Sam Neill reprises his roleContinue reading “Bird 66 – Huia”

Bird 65 – Blood Pheasant

I’m sure you, like me, have seen all the recent signs that have plagued our world. Those that tell of a creeping doom soon to be upon us. Blood weeping from the walls, locus swarming, planes falling from the sky, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria. It can mean only one thing: The comingContinue reading “Bird 65 – Blood Pheasant”