Today we meet one of the cutest of all the artic birds, the Little Auk. These are adorable little black and white birds, closely related to Puffins, but favouring colder climates. In one sense they kinda look like penguins who can fly, and indeed they have a similar lifestyle. Like all members of the AukContinue reading “Bird 316 – Little Auk”
Author Archives: nathanfinger
Bird 315 – Cockatiel
Everyone knows the Budgerigar is the world’s most popular pet (bird). But who is the second? Well, if you read the title of this email you already know, but just in case you haven’t I’ll tell you now: it’s the Cockatiel. But what are Cockatiels? They’re kinda like Cocker Spaniels, in the sense that theyContinue reading “Bird 315 – Cockatiel”
Bird 314 – Ross’s Gull
I know not everyone loves Gulls. They’re messy, they’re noisy, they’re aggressive, and they always want to steal your chips. But today I am going to introduce you to the cutest of all the Gulls: Ross’s Gull. Sadly, the chance that you will ever meet one is almost nil, unless you plan on making aContinue reading “Bird 314 – Ross’s Gull”
Bird 313 – Demoiselle Crane
This week we have a bird whose name is as elegant as its appearance: the Demoiselle Crane. Now I know what you’re thinking: there isn’t anything particularly elegant about a giant piece of construction equipment used to build skyscrapers. To which I say, you’ve got hung up on the wrong part of the name, it’sContinue reading “Bird 313 – Demoiselle Crane”
Bird 312 – Australian Crake
This week we meet a rather humble unassuming bird, the Australian Crake. But I know what you’re thinking: what even is a crake? Crakes are a member of the rail family. But I know what you’re thinking: what even is a rail? Well, they aren’t a thing trains on run on, and they aren’t theContinue reading “Bird 312 – Australian Crake”
Bird 311 – Osprey
This week we bring you the majestic raptor of the sea, a bird that nearly everyone in the world has the opportunity to see, the Osprey. The Osprey is one of the few birds that can boast an almost total global distribution (except Antarctica). Strangely, this is rare among birds. Given they can fly toContinue reading “Bird 311 – Osprey”
Bird 310 – Northern Flicker
Toady we meet one of the most beautiful, and in some ways unusual woodpeckers, the Northern Flicker. Just by looking at this fine fellow you can tell they’re something special with their blush pink plumes, pokadot belly and little red crown. Of course what makes woodpeckers famous is their ability to peck wood. What makesContinue reading “Bird 310 – Northern Flicker”
Bird 309 – Eurasian Hoopoe
Today we meet one of the world’s most distinct birds, the Eurasian Hoopoe. They also have a really fun scientific name Upupa epops, supposedly based on the oop-oop sound they make. But really it’s their appearance that is the selling card. Cinnamon feathers, long curved pointy beak, and a prominent crest. If you see aContinue reading “Bird 309 – Eurasian Hoopoe”
Bird 308 – Moa
This week we travel to New Zealand and back in time some 500 years to meet the Moa. Along with the Elephant Bird of Madagascar, the Moa is the other great extinct giant flightless bird from recent history. Little known fact, the Moa was not a single species, but there was a whole family ofContinue reading “Bird 308 – Moa”
Bird 307 – Wilson’s Warbler
Today we meet one of North America’s delightful summer visitors, the tiny but colourful, Wilson’s Warbler. The New World Warblers are a large family of colourful birds known for their songs, but unrelated to both European and Australasian Warblers. These little fellows are migratory by nature. Like most Warblers, Wilson’s lives mainly off insects, andContinue reading “Bird 307 – Wilson’s Warbler”
Bird of the Week 