Birds | Coffee and Creatures

Or are we just rubbish at spotting innovation?

No, not because it begins with “x”.

Note to self: only research with the Latin name.

The kittiwake is the seagull that was brought up properly.

Estate agent: Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Cuban Sparrow! Female: Er, Zapata Sparrow? Estate agent: Yes yes of course! Do come …

Its name sounds like a double sneeze, but there are far stranger things about this dinky South American bird. It …

The name for this little crow likely comes from “jack”, meaning “thief”, and “daw”, after its clipped, jagged call. Here’s …

Name: “Pteroglossus frantzii”, but everyone calls me “fiery-billed araçari”. Spell it with the accent if you want to impress me. …

During a recent stay at London Zoo’s (awesome) Gir Lion Lodge, I asked the tour guides what their weirdest animal …

Just to get this out of the way: yes, it’s actually called that, and yes, it lives near Cape “Horn” …

Someone has to do the dirty work. But you’re drinking coffee, so I’ll try to keep it clean. Fortunately, Africa’s …

The first time I saw a hummingbird, the impossible flitting of its wings sucked the breath from my chest. These …

This flitter looks cute, but to a bug on the forest floor, it’s part of a post-apocalyptic motorcycle gang pillaging …

The Ural owl is gorgeous and floofy. Just don’t mess with its nest. That’s not a joke by the way. …

A volcano is the only refuge this cute little bird has left. What kind of pig would destroy its habitat …

Don’t hate the shrike just because it stores its food properly.

The harpy eagle doesn’t soar. Who needs to showboat when you rule the forest?

The fairy lorikeet is as sweet as the nectar it eats, but all the fruit makes it toot.