Category Archives: Bird

Wood Duck

Wood Duck_2

The guardian has waited for time immemorial, watching for intruders, challenging all pilgrims, verifying that they have the knowledge and moral character to be worthy of the passage.

Alas, all knowledge of the temple has been lost and the guardian has had no visitors for over a century.

This is why it’s always wise to put a term limit on contracts before you sign them.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle_14

The bald eagle is not bald. It has white feathers that fall as little decorative bits over their brown feathers on their necks. These little decorative bits are often called “lappets”.

The lappet-faced vulture is, of course, completely bald.

Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash)

Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash)_3

The Wikipedia Talk page for the Hadada Ibis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Hadada_ibis) contains a nice little diatribe as to whether this is a Hadada, Hadeda, or Hadida. However, the page is considered “Low-importance” on the Wikipedia Bird Project scale.

The talk page for the Wikipedia Bird Project does not discuss whether “Low-importance” should be hyphenated. It does, however, state the position that ALL birds are of low importance by default and must have done something of note to be elevated to a higher status. No one can seem to agree about the chicken and the goose.

This ibis, however, doesn’t care.