As the festive season reaches its crescendo, the twelfth day of Birdorable brings the rhythmic beat of 12 Drumming Ruffed Grouse! Our celebration of avian charm wraps up today by welcoming the Ruffed Grouse into the Birdorable family.

Echoing the classic line "Twelve Drummers Drumming" from the beloved carol "The 12 Days of Christmas," the Ruffed Grouse offers its own natural percussion. These birds are known for their unique "drumming" behavior, which is a showy display used to woo potential mates. The male Ruffed Grouse creates this drumming sound not with instruments but with the rapid beating of their wings while standing on a log or the ground. This act is as integral to the courtship of these birds as a dozen drummers in a holiday parade.

The drumming of the Ruffed Grouse is more than just a mating call; it's a signature sound of the American woodlands. As we conclude our 12 Days of Birdorable, we hope these drumming Ruffed Grouse have tapped their way into your hearts, bringing joy and a touch of nature's music to your holiday celebrations. May the beat of their wings inspire you to explore and appreciate the natural wonders around us.

We thank you for joining us on this Birdorable journey, and we look forward to sharing more avian delights with you in the future. Happy holidays, and keep listening for the drumming that calls you back to nature!

This is the twelfth and final day of our 12 Days of Birdorable holiday event. Previously featured were:

• Eleven Piping Plovers
• Ten Lord Howe Woodhens
• Nine Lady Amherst's Pheasants
• Eight Milky Storks
• Seven Swans-a-swimming
• Six Geese-a-laying
• Five Gold-ringed Tanagers
• Four Calling Birds
• Three French Hens
• Two Turtle Doves
• and A Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the eleventh day of Birdorable, the air was filled with the charming tunes of 11 Piping Plovers! As our 12 Days of Birdorable celebration marches on, we spotlight the utterly adorable Piping Plover, a bird that captures the essence of festive joy with its delightful presence.

Drawing inspiration from the "Eleven Pipers Piping" verse of the iconic "The 12 Days of Christmas" song, it's easy to see why the Piping Plover is a fitting feathered equivalent for today's gift. Unlike the traditional musicians playing their pipes, these birds bring their own unique melody to the mix, serenading the air with their distinctive, high-pitched calls that echo the sound of pipe-pipe-pipe-pipe. It's as if nature's own band is playing a tune, perfectly in sync with the holiday spirit.

Piping Plovers are more than just their musical call; they're a marvel of the avian world. With their compact, rounded bodies, sand-colored plumage, and striking black bands across the forehead and neck, they are a sight to behold. These characteristics not only make them adorable but also serve as excellent camouflage against the sandy beaches and shores they call home.

Despite their cute appearance and joyful demeanor, Piping Plovers are a symbol of resilience and vulnerability. Classified as Near Threatened on the global scale, their populations face significant threats from habitat loss, human disturbance, and predation. Efforts to protect their nesting grounds and raise awareness about their conservation needs are crucial for ensuring that the melodic call of the Piping Plover continues to grace our coastlines.

This is the eleventh day of our 12 Days of Birdorable holiday event. Previously featured were:

• Ten Lord Howe Woodhens
• Nine Lady Amherst's Pheasants
• Eight Milky Storks
• Seven Swans-a-swimming
• Six Geese-a-laying
• Five Gold-ringed Tanagers
• Four Calling Birds
• Three French Hens
• Two Turtle Doves
• and A Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the tenth day of Birdorable, a unique surprise awaited me… ten Lord Howe Woodhens! As we continue our festive 12 Days of Birdorable celebration, we're thrilled to introduce a bird that's not only new to our collection but also carries the distinction of being critically important to conservation efforts—the Lord Howe Woodhen.

Diverging from the traditional "Ten Lords-a-Leaping" verse from the beloved "The 12 Days of Christmas" carol, we find a remarkable avian counterpart in the Lord Howe Woodhen. With its regal name, this bird perfectly embodies the essence of nobility and grace. The Lord Howe Woodhen, a precious gem within the rail family, calls Lord Howe Island home. This small, remote island off the coast of Australia is the only place on Earth where these birds can be found, making them endemic to this specific locale. Their story is one of survival and conservation triumph, as efforts have been made to protect their habitat and ensure their future.

Unlike the grandeur suggested by lords leaping, the Lord Howe Woodhen leads a more humble existence. It thrives in the dense undergrowth of the island's forests, foraging for food and living a largely unseen life. However, its significance cannot be overstated; the Lord Howe Woodhen is a symbol of the delicate balance of ecosystems and the importance of conservation work in preserving our planet's biodiversity.

May the story of the Lord Howe Woodhen inspire you to learn more about endangered species and the efforts to protect them. Happy holidays, and here's to finding joy and wonder in the natural world around us.

This is the tenth day of our 12 Days of Birdorable holiday event. Previously featured were:

• Nine Lady Amherst's Pheasants
• Eight Milky Storks
• Seven Swans-a-swimming
• Six Geese-a-laying
• Five Gold-ringed Tanagers
• Four Calling Birds
• Three French Hens
• Two Turtle Doves
• and A Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the ninth day of Birdorable, my true love sent to me … 9 Lady Amherst's Pheasants! As we glide through our festive 12 Days of Birdorable celebration, today shines a spotlight on a breathtaking addition to our avian family—the Lady Amherst's Pheasant.

Embracing the spirit of "Nine Ladies Dancing" from the enchanting "The 12 Days of Christmas" carol, we introduce the Lady Amherst's Pheasant, a bird whose stunning plumage and elegant demeanor perfectly encapsulate the grace and beauty of dancers. Native to the forests and bamboo thickets of China, this exquisite bird, named after Countess Sarah Amherst, who was instrumental in bringing the species to attention in the 19th century, is a true masterpiece of nature.

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant is distinguished by its remarkable coloration and striking patterns. Males boast a dazzling array of colors, with a white, silver, blue, and green body, complemented by a red and yellow tail that is nothing short of spectacular. Females, while more subdued in their color palette, carry a beauty all their own with their elegantly patterned brown and white feathers.

Though originally from China, the allure of the Lady Amherst's Pheasant has led to the establishment of feral populations in various parts of the world, where they continue to captivate bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. 

Let the elegance and splendor of the Lady Amherst's Pheasant be a source of joy and wonder this holiday season. This is the ninth day of our 12 Days of Birdorable holiday event. Previously featured were:

• Eight Milky Storks
• Seven Swans-a-swimming
• Six Geese-a-laying
• Five Gold-ringed Tanagers
• Four Calling Birds
• Three French Hens
• Two Turtle Doves
• and A Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the eighth day of Birdorable, the gift was truly unique... 8 Milky Storks! Our festive 12 Days of Birdorable journey unfolds further with the introduction of a fascinating new member of the bird kingdom, the Milky Stork, from the diverse stork family.

In a creative twist on the traditional "Eight Maids-a-Milking" from the timeless "The 12 Days of Christmas" carol, we celebrate the Milky Stork, a name that playfully nods to the original verse while steering our holiday focus back to the avian world. Historically, the task of milking dairy cows was often seen as "women's work," a role deeply rooted in pastoral life. However, in the spirit of Birdorable, where every day is an opportunity to honor our feathered friends, we've opted for a bird that brings its own brand of "milky" magic to the mix.

The Milky Stork, with its striking white plumage contrasted by black flight feathers and a distinct pinkish bill, is a sight to behold. This bird, primarily found in coastal and wetland areas of Southeast Asia, embodies the elegance and grace that storks are known for. Though it shares its habitat with other stork species, the Milky Stork stands out due to its unique coloration and the serene beauty it adds to its surroundings.

This is the eighth day of our 12 Days of Birdorable holiday event. Previously featured were:

• Seven Swans-a-swimming
• Six Geese-a-laying
• Five Gold-ringed Tanagers
• Four Calling Birds
• Three French Hens
• Two Turtle Doves
• and A Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the seventh day of Birdorable, the waters gleamed with the grace of 7 Swans-a-Swimming! As we dive deeper into our enchanting 12 Days of Birdorable celebration, today we’re delighted to introduce the Birdorable Mute Swan, an avian gem that adds a touch of elegance to our festive flock.

Reflecting the "Seven Swans-a-Swimming" verse from the beloved "The 12 Days of Christmas" carol, the Mute Swan beautifully embodies this iconic holiday imagery. Known for their majestic presence and serene beauty, Mute Swans are a familiar sight across much of Europe, gracing ponds, lakes, and rivers with their regal demeanor. 

Though called "mute," these swans are anything but silent; they communicate through a range of soft grunts and hisses, a contrast to the vocal melodies of other swan species. With their striking white plumage, long, graceful necks, and an orange bill bordered with black, Mute Swans are a symbol of purity and elegance. 

The spread of Mute Swans beyond their native European borders, as ornamental birds in parks and estates, speaks to their universal appeal. However, their beauty comes with a responsibility to ensure that their presence supports, rather than disrupts, local ecosystems. Conservation efforts and responsible management are key to maintaining the balance between admiring these birds and preserving the habitats they share with native wildlife.

This is the seventh day of our 12 Days of Birdorable holiday event. Previously featured were:

• Six Geese-a-laying
• Five Gold-ringed Tanagers
• Four Calling Birds
• Three French Hens
• Two Turtle Doves
• and A Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the sixth day of Birdorable, the gift was truly delightful... 6 Greylag Geese-a-Laying! As we joyfully continue our 12 Days of Birdorable, today we're thrilled to welcome the Birdorable Greylag Goose, a brand new addition to our avian celebration.

Embracing the "Six Geese-a-Laying" from the classic "The 12 Days of Christmas" carol, the Greylag Goose serves as a perfect living symbol for this verse. These birds are not only prevalent across much of Europe but also hold a special place in the history of aviculture as the ancestors of the modern domestic Embden Goose.

The Greylag Goose, with its distinctive bulky body and large head, showcases shades of grey on its feathers, punctuated by a pinkish beak and legs, making it a sight of understated beauty in the wild. As one of the largest and oldest of the geese native to the UK and Europe, their presence is a common yet always remarkable sight in wetlands, marshes, and lakes.

In the wild, the Greylag Goose is known for its remarkable parenting skills, with both the male and female sharing the responsibility of incubating the eggs and raising their young. The sight of these geese-a-laying during the breeding season is a natural spectacle.

This is the sixth day of our 12 Days of Birdorable holiday event. Previously featured were:

• Five Gold-ringed Tanagers
• Four Calling Birds
• Three French Hens
• Two Turtle Doves
• and A Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the fifth day of Birdorable, my true love sent to me ... 5 Gold-ringed Tanagers! As we joyously proceed with our 12 Days of Birdorable, today marks the introduction of a vibrant new feathered friend—the Birdorable Gold-ringed Tanager, a stunning addition to our growing family of avian species.

Venturing creatively beyond the traditional "Five Gold Rings" from the cherished "The 12 Days of Christmas" carol, we're thrilled to present the Gold-ringed Tanager. This bird, with its striking appearance and endemic status to Colombia, is a true treasure of the natural world, deserving of a spotlight in our festive countdown.

Adorned with vibrant hues that could rival any precious metal, the Gold-ringed Tanager features a mesmerizing combination of black, bright yellow, and blue, accented with golden rings around its body that gleam like the sun filtering through a dense forest canopy. This small but incredibly striking bird inhabits the cloud forests of Colombia, a habitat that is as unique and enchanting as the tanager itself.

As we revel in the beauty of the Gold-ringed Tanager on this fifth day of Birdorable, let's be reminded of the incredible diversity of life that shares this planet with us. Let the festive season be a time of joy, wonder, and a deeper connection to the natural world, with the Birdorable Gold-ringed Tanager leading the way in our hearts and imaginations.

This is the fifth day of our 12 Days of Birdorable holiday event. Previously featured were:

• Four Calling Birds
• Three French Hens
• Two Turtle Doves
• and A Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the fourth day of Birdorable, a melodious chorus filled the air... 4 Calling Blackbirds! As our festive 12 Days of Birdorable journey unfolds, today we spotlight the Four Calling Blackbirds, a charming addition that brings the classic "The 12 Days of Christmas" carol to life with an avian twist.

Diving into the original "Four Calling Birds" verse—historically referred to as "four colly birds," with "colly" meaning black as coal—it's the Common Blackbird that takes center stage in our celebration. This bird, with its glossy black plumage in males and rich, brown tones in females, is a familiar sight in gardens across Europe, known for its beautiful and varied song.

The Common Blackbird, a species that thrives not only in Europe but also across Asia, North Africa, and in introduced populations in Australia and New Zealand, is celebrated for its melodious calls and songs. These birds have a special place in the hearts of bird enthusiasts and casual listeners alike, bringing the sounds of nature closer to home with their rich musical repertoire.

As we delight in the presence of these Four Calling Blackbirds on this fourth day of Birdorable, let their songs remind us of the joy and beauty that birds bring into our lives. May their calls lead you to discover the rich tapestry of bird song that surrounds us, a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year.

This is the fourth day of our 12 Days of Birdorable holiday event. Previously featured were:

• Three French Hens
• Two Turtle Doves
• and A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Over the next 8 days we will post another Birdorable bird for our 12 Days of Birdorable. Be sure to check back each day for this fun event!

On the third day of Birdorable, /meet/faverolles ... 3 French Hens! Our festive 12 Days of Birdorable celebration takes a delightful turn today as we introduce the first-ever Birdorable chicken, the Faverolles. This French breed of chicken, with its distinctively colorful plumage and endearing personality, adds a touch of rustic elegance to our holiday lineup.

The "Three French Hens" from the beloved "The 12 Days of Christmas" carol are brought to life in the form of the Faverolles, a breed that encapsulates the essence of French countryside charm. Known for their unique appearance, cock Faverolles boast a striking black and white coloration, while the hens, the stars of our Birdorable moment, display a beautiful range of salmon-colored to creamy white feathers.

Faverolles are known for their docile and friendly nature, making them a favorite among poultry enthusiasts and backyard chicken keepers alike. These birds have a distinctive look, with fluffy feathers, beards, and feathered feet, adding to their appeal and making them one of the most recognizable chicken breeds.

The story of the Faverolles, with its blend of French elegance and homely charm, is a perfect addition to our holiday celebration. Let these Birdorable French Hens inspire warmth and joy as we continue our journey through the 12 Days of Birdorable.

This is the third day of our 12 Days of Birdorable holiday event. Previously featured were:

• Two Turtle Doves
• and A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Over the next 9 days we will post another Birdorable bird for our 12 Days of Birdorable. Be sure to check back each day for this fun event!