The Zapata Sparrows Go House Hunting
Estate agent: Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Cuban Sparrow! Female: Er, Zapata Sparrow? Estate agent: Yes yes of course! Do come …
Birds
Why the Quebracho Crested Tinamou is Upside Down
Its name sounds like a double sneeze, but there are far stranger things about this dinky South American bird. It …
The Jackdaw Might Just Steal Your Heart
The name for this little crow likely comes from “jack”, meaning “thief”, and “daw”, after its clipped, jagged call. Here’s …
Your Fiery-billed Araçari Dating Profile is Ready!
Name: “Pteroglossus frantzii”, but everyone calls me “fiery-billed araçari”. Spell it with the accent if you want to impress me. …
The White Ibis Has(n’t) Had Enough of Your Rubbish
During a recent stay at London Zoo’s (awesome) Gir Lion Lodge, I asked the tour guides what their weirdest animal …
Imperial Shag Loves the End of the World
Just to get this out of the way: yes, it’s actually called that, and yes, it lives near Cape “Horn” …
The Hooded Vulture Thinks it’s People!
Someone has to do the dirty work. But you’re drinking coffee, so I’ll try to keep it clean. Fortunately, Africa’s …
The Dusky Hummingbird Has a Veil of Mystery
The first time I saw a hummingbird, the impossible flitting of its wings sucked the breath from my chest. These …
White-breasted Antbird
This flitter looks cute, but to a bug on the forest floor, it’s part of a post-apocalyptic motorcycle gang pillaging …
Ural Owl
The Ural owl is gorgeous and floofy. Just don’t mess with its nest. That’s not a joke by the way. …
Hawai’i Creeper
A volcano is the only refuge this cute little bird has left. What kind of pig would destroy its habitat …
Shrike
Don’t hate the shrike just because it stores its food properly.
Harpy Eagle
The harpy eagle doesn’t soar. Who needs to showboat when you rule the forest?
Fairy Lorikeet
The fairy lorikeet is as sweet as the nectar it eats, but all the fruit makes it toot.
