Today we have a bird from a family I don’t feature very often: the owls, specifically the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). And really, I don’t know why I don’t talk about owls more, they’re pretty cool. These guys in particular. They’re the largest owl in North America and are highly adaptable, ranging from AlaskaContinue reading “Bird 143 – Great Horned Owl”
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Bird 142 – Crimson Rosella
Today I thought we’d take a look at one of my favourite Canberra birds, the Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans) A common and gorgeous sight here in Canberra, what with their brilliant red plumage, cute little blue cheeks and delightful chattering sounds they make. I defy you to see one and not feel uplifted. Now, IContinue reading “Bird 142 – Crimson Rosella”
Bird 141 – Madagascan Pochard
Let’s stay in Madagascar for another week and take a look at a little-known bird that almost went the way of the Elephant (bird): the Madagascan Pochard (Aythya innotata). Now, you may be wondering what a Pochard is, but it’s really just a fancy word for a duck. On the surface they don’t seem allContinue reading “Bird 141 – Madagascan Pochard”
Bird 140 – Elephant Bird
Today we’re going to look a famous extinct bird. No, not the Dodo, we did the Dodo a long time ago. But don’t worry, we’re still going to an African island to visit the Elephant Bird (Aepyornis maximus). These birds were locals of Madagascar. Now, you, like me, are probably wondering, well if this is anContinue reading “Bird 140 – Elephant Bird”
Bird 139 – Grey Crowned Crane
It has come to my attention that I have never featured a Crane. This is an inexcusable oversight on my part, but in my defence, there are a lot of birds. This week, though, it’s all about Crane royalty: the Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum) — try saying that ten times fast. These are anContinue reading “Bird 139 – Grey Crowned Crane”
Bird 138 – Blue-throated Hillstar
Let’s stay in South America, and this week, instead of a bird that was lost and found, we have a bird that was only first discovered in 2017. That’s right, we’re still finding new, never-before-seen birds. So, what bird escaped our attention for all of human existence? Why, none other than the Blue-throated Hillstar (OreotrochilusContinue reading “Bird 138 – Blue-throated Hillstar”
Bird 137 – Blue-eyed Ground Dove
In biology, every now and again, you come across something called a Lazarus Taxon. These are animals that were thought to be extinct but are then unexpectedly rediscovered. Some of the most famous Lazarus Taxons are birds. One of my favourites, the Bermuda Petrel, was thought to have gone extinct in 1620, but was rediscoveredContinue reading “Bird 137 – Blue-eyed Ground Dove”
Bird 136 – Greater Sage-grouse
So last week we met a bird that mates by inflating an air sac on its throat and making a weird noise while all gathered together in a lek. Well, to mix things up, today we’re going to meet a bird that mates by inflating an air sac on its throat and making a weirdContinue reading “Bird 136 – Greater Sage-grouse”
Bird 135 – Capuchinbird
In the Amazon Rain forest there is a freaky little bird called the Capuchinbird (Perissocephalus tricolor), or as I like to call it, the cappuccino bird, because God knows how to pronounce that word. As you can see, these birds are freaks. For the most part, their drab, russet colouring doesn’t really recommend them forContinue reading “Bird 135 – Capuchinbird”
Bird 134 – Fork-tailed Drongo
So in Australia, if you call someone a ‘drongo’ they’re being a bit of a silly git. But let me tell you, the Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) is anything but. These are African birds. They hang out on the savanna looking for food and doing whatever it is Drongos do. But that can be hardContinue reading “Bird 134 – Fork-tailed Drongo”
Bird of the Week 