Crested Auklets are small seabirds that live in the Bering Sea. They are in the same family as other cute birds like Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, and the extinct Great Auk. During the breeding season, which begins in mid-May, Crested Auklets of both sexes are in their beautiful and striking breeding plumage. This includes an unusual crest of bristles at the forehead, white eyeline contrasting with black body plumage, and a bright orange bill. Perhaps the most unusual component of the Crested Auklet's finery includes a strong but not-unpleasant odor, which is said to smell like tangerines, or another citrus-like odor. The function of this odor is not known to science, but it may have something to do with attracting a mate. While we don't currently offer scratch-and-sniff gifts, our selection of Crested Auklet apparel and novelties are great for anyone who loves these unusual, striking and fresh-scented birds!

You are probably well-aware that many countries have an official national bird. For example, the national bird of the United States is the Bald Eagle, and the national bird of Bolivia is the Andean Condor. Several U.S. states also have official birds. But did you know that there are even some cities that have their own official bird? The official city bird of Abiko, Japan, is the Eurasian Coot. We used to see these little water birds all the time while we lived in the Netherlands, but in fact their range is across much of Eurasia - all the way to Japan! Besides being one of just a few global cities to have an official bird, Abiko goes a step further with their love of avian friends. It is home to the Abiko City Museum of Birds!

Birdorable Eurasian Coot with the flag of Abiko

Here is a new Birdorable coloring page for some cute coloring fun: the Northern Fulmar. Go to Coloring Pages to download the new free PDF. You can visit the Birdorable Northern Fulmar page to check the colors. This page is like getting three in one - the Northern Fulmar has three distinct color morphs!

This download will be available until 15 September 2011. Check here for more coloring pages. Subscribe to the Birdorable Blog by RSS feed or by email to get notified when new downloads like this are added. Have you used our coloring pages at home, in your classroom, or at an event? We’d love to hear about it! Send us photos of the pages in action, or the final result – we may showcase them on our blog!

The Brown Kiwi is one of five species of kiwi. All kiwis, native to the islands of New Zealand, are flightless. The national symbol of New Zealand holds at least two avian records. First, these grown-dwelling birds have the largest egg in relation to their body size. The kiwi is about the size of a domestic chicken, while the egg is about the size of an emu's egg! The egg may be up to 1/5 of the body weight of the mother bird. Kiwis are also unusual in that after the egg is laid, the male takes care of incubation and nest maintenance. The other record held by the kiwi relates to unusual anatomy: it is the only bird with nostrils at the end of the bill. Unlike most other bird species, the kiwi has a good sense of smell. It uses scent to find prey. If you can't get enough of this extreme avian species, be sure to check out Birdorable's collection of cute Brown Kiwi t-shirts & gifts.

Here is a new Birdorable coloring page for some cute coloring fun: the Palm Cockatoo. Go to Coloring Pages to download the new free PDF. You can visit the Birdorable Palm Cockatoo page to check the colors.

This download will be available until 1 August 2011. Check here for more coloring pages. Subscribe to the Birdorable Blog by RSS feed or by email to get notified when new downloads like this are added. Have you used our coloring pages at home, in your classroom, or at an event? We’d love to hear about it! Send us photos of the pages in action, or the final result – we may showcase them on our blog!

Did you know that all penguins practice fasting during the year? Prior to fasting, penguins build up a thick fat layer which will provide energy during the fast period. Penguins fast for two reasons. First, some species don't leave their nesting grounds during the entire courtship, breeding and incubation period. Their food is found in the water so they are unable to feed if they don't leave the nesting grounds. Penguins also fast during seasonal molt.

When their new waterproof feathers are just growing in, they are unable to enter the water to feed. Different penguin species have different fast lengths. The male Emperor Penguin has the longest fasting period during breeding season. While preparing and caring for chicks, a male Emperor Penguin will fast for an incredible 90 to 120 days!

If you can't get enough of this extreme avian species, be sure to check out all of Birdorable's cute penguin t-shirts & gifts.

In honor of Memorial Day we present this new coloring page featuring the American Flag represented in cute Birdorable style. Red Cardinals, White Doves and Blue Jays stand in formation creating the stars and stripes of the flag.

This download will be available until July 4th 2011. Check here for more coloring pages. Subscribe to the Birdorable Blog by RSS feed or by email to get notified when new downloads like this are added. Also check out this Birdorable U.S. Flag on t-shirts, tote bags and more. This cute design for patriotic Americans on Flag Day, the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or any day!

Birdorable US Flag Women's T-shirt and Tote Bag

Have you used our coloring pages at home, in your classroom, or at an event? We’d love to hear about it! Send us photos of the pages in action, or the final result – we may showcase them on our blog!

The Ostrich is the largest living species of bird, so it's no surprise that they have the largest eyes of any avian species. In fact, the eyes of an ostrich, measuring two inches in diameter, are the largest of any terrestrial species. Its large eyes help the flightless Ostrich perceive predators that share their wide open savanna habitat. When a predator is perceived, another avian extreme comes in handy: the Ostrich is the fastest land bird, able to achieve a running speed of up to 45mph! If you can't get enough of this extreme avian species, be sure to check out Birdorable's collection of cute Ostrich t-shirts & gifts.

It's May! That means we are already into Warbler Neck Awareness Month. Have you been out birding this month? If you've been out looking for warblers, maybe you've seen this cutie, the Northern Parula.

1. The Northern Parula is a species of warbler (see our other cute warblers).

2. Northern Parulas nest in two distinctive, separate zones in eastern North America.

3. The original name for this small wood-warbler was Finch Creeper.

4. Northern Parulas have been known to hybridize with Yellow-throated Warblers. The offspring are known as Sutton's Warblers.

5. The oldest known wild Northern Parula lived to be at least seven years of age.

6. The Northern Parula is one of our cute Birdorable birds! The Northern Parula was added to Birdorable on November 17, 2010.

May is Warbler Neck Awareness Month. This month we are highlighting the affliction with a series of blog posts and new WN Awareness merchandise. While all birders are liable to suffer from the pains of Warbler Neck, certain types of birders may suffer more than others. If you're a lister or a newbie, pay attention, especially during May, which is Warbler Neck Awareness Month.

The Lister: Birders who need certain species ticked off their year list, county list, state list, park list, or other list are more likely to suffer from WN on a given day. The need drives the birder to continue searching through the pain.

The Newbie: Sometimes the pain of WN aren't felt until hours or even days after the actual birding event. Blissful ignorance can lead to hours of nonstop canopy-watching, which then leads to a mountain of pain.

Help spread awareness about Warbler Neck with original WN Awareness gear from Birdorable and sister site MagnificentFrigatebird.com. Stay tuned to both sites for more information about WN.

Other posts in this series: What is Warbler Neck? | Triggers for Warbler Neck and side-effects | April Giveaway: Warbler Neck Awareness Swag