Ah the Australia Day long weekend, and in true Bird of the Week fashion that means it’s time to feature the 2019 New Zealand bird of the year. Of course, I can endorse no Bird of the Year that isn’t a California Quail, but hey, since we’re already here, lets take a little look. ThisContinue reading “Bird 113 – Yellow-eyed Penguin”
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Bird 112 – Cattle Tyrant
So I know everyone loves unlikely animal duos. Think of Timon and Pumbaa, the wise-cracking Meerkat atop his faithful Warthog companion. Well, what if I was to tell you there was a similar relationship going on in South America? Allow me to introduce you to the Cattle Tyrant (Machetornis rixosa) This cute little New WorldContinue reading “Bird 112 – Cattle Tyrant”
Bird 111 – Cher Ami
It’s a rare thing for Bird of the Week to focus on an individual bird, but this week I want to tell you the story of Cher Ami. Cher Ami was a Homing Pigeon (Columba livia domestica), born in April 1918. She was raised specifically to deliver messages during the First World War. In OctoberContinue reading “Bird 111 – Cher Ami”
Bird 110 – Temminck’s Courser
With the fires raging around us, it seems we’ve had a rare front row seat of death and destruction to kick of 2020. Long time followers of Bird of the Week will know I’m generally a big fan of death and destruction, especially when it’s a bird dishing it out, but even I have myContinue reading “Bird 110 – Temminck’s Courser”
Bird of the Year – 2019
We interrupt your normally scheduled weekly bird to bring you, “Bird of the Week Presents: The 2019 Bird of the Week, Bird of the Year Special”. That’s right, it’s that time of the year when we look back on some of our favourite birds that were, and crown the one bird to rule them all,Continue reading “Bird of the Year – 2019”
Bird 109 – Ducklings!
Okay folks, so it’s been a crazy end of the year, what with the fires and the smoke and the whole ‘oh my god we’re all going to die’ sorta vibe going on. So, as we approach 2020 let’s take a moment to appreciate the greatest gift the birds have to give — ducklings. IContinue reading “Bird 109 – Ducklings!”
Bird 108 – Vampire Ground Finch
As my Christmas travel plans have been delayed by the fact that Australia is currently on fire, it means you all get this week’s bird one day early. It’s time to finish our tour of the bird parasites, but worry not, for I have saved the best until last. I think the greatest, and mostContinue reading “Bird 108 – Vampire Ground Finch”
Bird 107 – Yellow-billed Oxpecker
So we’ll stick with bird parasites, but let’s change things up. No more murdered babies. Today I want to introduce you to the Yellow-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus africanus) You’re probably already familiar with this bird, it’s the one that’s always riding the big African animals in the nature documentaries, eating their ticks and lice and whatnot.Continue reading “Bird 107 – Yellow-billed Oxpecker”
Bird 106 – Cuckoo Duck
Welcome to Part III on Brood Parasites. And this week’s dead beat parent, the Cuckoo Duck (Heteronetta atricapilla) That’s right, just when you thought ducks were cool again, here goes one giving all the others a bad name. This is a black-headed little duck that lives in Argentina. They’re a bit of a odd-ball duckContinue reading “Bird 106 – Cuckoo Duck”
Bird 105 – Brown-headed Cowbird
So here’s the funny thing about Cuckoos. There are many different species of Cuckoos, (they even have their own taxonomic order, Cuculiformes) but not all of them lay eggs in other birds’ nests. Some, like the Roadrunner (which, surprise, is actually a type of Cuckoo), look after their own children. But then, there are birds,Continue reading “Bird 105 – Brown-headed Cowbird”
Bird of the Week 