The Wonderful World of Birds
I would imagine that a lot of people are like myself. I describe myself as an amateur bird-watcher. I love to watch birds from the comfort of my chair or, if out and about, on a nice country walk then if a bird happens to pass I will try and work out what it was and make a mental note of it.
We have all sorts of beautiful birds here in the UK. My favourite is the long-tailed tit – beautiful little birds that flutter around our gardens and woodlands in small flocks, their shrill chirping easily identified but doesn't become their beauty. One of our most popular garden birds is our little Robin Redbreast, always featuring in winter scenes for Christmas cards and always around when you are in the garden digging soil, hoping to be there when the big fat worm is uncovered.
Worldwide the variety in the bird world is absolutely amazing. A new study suggests that there are around 18,000 bird species worldwide whereas previously it was thought there were around 9 or 10 thousand. These are just some of the birds I have found out about:
| One of the prettiest: | One of the ugliest: |
|---|---|
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| Resplendent Quetzal Latin Name: Pharomachrus mocinno Found in Central America Eats fruits and occasional insects |
Marabou Stork Latin Name: Leptoptilos crumenifer Found in sub-Saharan Africa Eats carrion |
| The smallest: | One of the biggest: |
|---|---|
 |
 |
|
Bee Hummingbird |
Ostrich |
| Beautiful bird song: | ARGH!! Awful noise!: |
|---|---|
 |
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| Common Nightingale Latin Name: Luscinia megarhynchos Found in Europe, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa Eats fruits, seeds, insects, nuts |
Jackdaw Latin Name: Corvus monedula Found in Europe, Asia and Africa Eats seeds, fruit, insects and carrion |
| Complex nests: | No nests: |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Common Tailorbird Latin Name: Orthotomus sutorius Found in Asia Eats insects |
Common Potoo Latin Name: Nyctibius griseus Found in Central and Southern America Eats insects |
| Does everything on the wing: | Can't fly: |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Swift Latin Name: Apodidae Found in all continents except Antarctica Eats air bourne insects |
Kiwi Latin Name: Apteryx Found in New Zealand Eats seeds, grubs, small invertebrates, etc. |
Which are your favourite birds?
Contributed by Maria
images taken from books in stock:
The Bird Guide to Southern Africa by Ulrich Oberprieler and Burger Cillie
Complete Photographic Field Guide Birds of Southern Africa by Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan
The World of Birds by Jonathan Elphick
Complete Birds of Britain and Europe by Rob Hume
Also, google images.
(Published 26th Aug 2019)
