Okay, there is a lot going on with the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo. First, we need to deal with its name, because I’m sure you’re thinking, what makes this bird a drongo? Are they a stupid, foolish bird? Well, I have previously covered off that bit of lexical mayhem when we looked at the Spangled Drongo, so checkContinue reading “Bird 256 – Greater Racket-tailed Drongo”
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Bird 255 – Burrowing Owl
On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be anything overly remarkable about the Burrowing Owl. I mean, I guess they are pretty cute. But no, they look like any other ordinary old Owl. Don’t let looks fool you though, these Owls are special. And I would try to string out the twist longer, but IContinue reading “Bird 255 – Burrowing Owl”
Bird 254 – Snow Petrel
As we shiver through another winter, spare a thought for the poor Snow Petrel. These birds are the embodiment of winter, with their pure white snowy plumes. They are one of only three bird species ever sited at the geographic south pole, so yeah, they know cold like few other animals do. From the beginningContinue reading “Bird 254 – Snow Petrel”
Bird 253 – Straw-necked Ibis
In Australia there is no more infamous bird than the White Ibis, also known as the bin chicken. We’re not talking about that bird today. Today, we’re talking about their cousin the Straw-necked Ibis. The Straw-neck is far more handsome than their white relative. These birds have glossy black plumes that shimmer iridescent colours of purple,Continue reading “Bird 253 – Straw-necked Ibis”
Bird 252 – Australian Pelican
When it comes to mighty birds there are few as impressive as the Pelican. They are some of the biggest and heaviest birds still capable of getting their big butts into the air. On the question of sheer scale, the Australian Pelican isn’t as big as they come, but they have one distinction they holdContinue reading “Bird 252 – Australian Pelican”
Bird 251 – Tawny Frogmouth
Today we’re going to meet a bird that has taken hide and seek to a whole new level, the Tawny Frogmouth. But first we have to clear something up. Does this bird have the mouth of a frog? No it does not. But they do sometimes put frogs in their mouth … for eating reasons.Continue reading “Bird 251 – Tawny Frogmouth”
Bird 250 – Sun Conure (II)
Today we are meeting one of the most tropical and colourful birds there is, the Sun Conure, more properly known as the Sun Parakeet. Strictly speaking, The word ‘conure’ doesn’t mean a real lot in the bird word. It’s an old term for new world parrots which has fallen out of favour, but is still used in avicultureContinue reading “Bird 250 – Sun Conure (II)”
Bird 249 – Ruppell’s Vulture
So here’s a question: how high can a bird fly? Well, there is an exclusive club of birds that can get over 8Km up. They include a Crow, a Goose, and a Crane. But the bird that beats them all has a record confirmed height of 11.3Km, and that bird is Ruppell’s Vulture. We knowContinue reading “Bird 249 – Ruppell’s Vulture”
Bird 248 – Bateleur
Today we are pleased to bring you a bird that has been described as one of the most strikingly beautiful of all the eagles, the Bateleur. This is an African eagle that lives in the sub-Sahara regions of the continent. The word ‘bateleur’ comes from the French, literally meaning ‘juggler’, and is a reference toContinue reading “Bird 248 – Bateleur”
Bird 247 – Japanese Cormorant
On first glance, the Japanese Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capillatus) may seem like any other cormorant. It’s a black and white bird, catches fish, hangs out on rocks where it dries its wings. Rather a common cormorant you might say. Well, once again, you would be wrong. In Japan, people have long used cormorants as a means toContinue reading “Bird 247 – Japanese Cormorant”
Bird of the Week 