This week we meet one of the most remarkable birds in the world, the Alpine Swift. These cuties are native to the high mountain passes of Europe and Asia where they nest. They are migratory, and when the northern winter sets in they fly south to Africa and warmer climates. Now, you may be wonderingContinue reading “Bird 286 – Alpine Swift”
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Bird 285 – Barbados Bullfinch
This week we meet an unassuming, but deceptive bird, the Barbados Bullfinch. This little grey bird’s claim to fame is that it is the only totally endemic bird found on the Caribbean island of Barbados. Every other bird you’ll meet on that island can also be found somewhere else. But not this Bullfinch. If youContinue reading “Bird 285 – Barbados Bullfinch”
Bird 284 – New Zealand Rock Wren
As is tradition on the national day of Australia, it is time to honour the 2022 New Zealand Bird of the Year – the New Zealand Rock Wren. But don’t let that name fool you. The Rock Wren isn’t related to real Wrens, or Australian Wrens, they’re their own thing. They are also known as the PīwauwauContinue reading “Bird 284 – New Zealand Rock Wren”
Bird 283 – New Zealand Kaka
New Zealand is home to three ancient parrots. Millions of years ago they were cut off from their fellows and began down their own odd evolutionary road. The Kakapo is the world’s only flightless parrot, the Kea is the world’s only alpine parrot, and then there’s the lesser-known Kaka; named after the Maori word for parrot.Continue reading “Bird 283 – New Zealand Kaka”
Bird 282 – Satin Bowerbird
Today we have one of Australia’s most famous birds, the Satin Bowerbird. Although most birds are great architects, and we can see all sorts of amazing nest designs across the avian kingdom, Bowerbirds are unique as they are one of the few birds who build something that isn’t a nest. What is a nest? AContinue reading “Bird 282 – Satin Bowerbird”
Bird 281 – Eastern Rosella
The eastern rosella is a common and instantly recognisable parrot for many people living on the East Coast of Australia. They’re an almost painfully colourful bird. When paint swatches were being passed around the Eastern Rosella couldn’t decide what colour to use, so it got one of everything. Red head, white cheek, yellow breast, green abdomen, blueContinue reading “Bird 281 – Eastern Rosella”
Bird 280 – Crested Screamer
Welcome to 2023 and another year of birds flying at you thick and fast. To start us off, here’s a question. What do you get when you cross a chicken with a duck that ate a burglar alarm? You get the Crested Screamer of course, the South American hardcore duck-fowl-attack-machine. Okay, let’s back it up.Continue reading “Bird 280 – Crested Screamer”
Bird 279 – European Turtle Dove
Let me be the first, and I hope only person to wish you a very avian Christmas. At this special time of the year it is only fitting that we feature a bird that has some connection to the festive holidays, and what better bird than the one that prominently appears as the second giftContinue reading “Bird 279 – European Turtle Dove”
Bird 278 – Black-naped Pheasant Pigeon
As we approach the end of the year it’s time for a little bit of good news. Earlier this year, on a small island off the coast of New Guinea, a rare pigeon was rediscovered after having not been seen since 1882. That pigeon is the Black-naped Pheasant Pigeon. Now, there is very little IContinue reading “Bird 278 – Black-naped Pheasant Pigeon”
Bird 277 – Blakiston’s Fish-owl
Have you ever asked yourself, what is the world’s largest owl, and what’s their deal? Well good news, because today we answer that question. And the answer is Blakiston’s Fish Owl.This bird is huge, it’s more like an eagle than an owl. They stand 60cm tall with a wingspan of nearly 2 meters. They alsoContinue reading “Bird 277 – Blakiston’s Fish-owl”
Bird of the Week 