Our 390th species is also our 70th parrot: the Orange-winged Parrot!

Orange-winged Parrot

The Orange-winged Parrot is a fairly large species of parrot that lives in parts of South America. They feed on fruits, seeds, berries, and nuts. They like to hang out in small groups, usually pairs, during the daytime. At night, however, they become party animals! They gather in large roosts for sleeping; these roosts may contain several hundred birds.

Orange-winged Amazon (Amazona amazonica)
Orange-winged Amazon (Amazona amazonica) by Papooga

Because of their beauty, Orange-winged Amazons they are popular birds in the pet trade. They have a very wide range in the wild, and though populations are decreasing, they are not in danger of extinction at this time. They may live up to 30 years in captivity.

Tomorrow's bird is known as BGGN to bird banders. Can you guess what it will be?

Birdorable Bonanza Preview

Today another warbler joins the Birdorable family. Check out our brand new Magnolia Warbler!

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warblers breed in dense forests of southeastern Canada and parts of the northeastern United States. They winter down in the Caribbean and parts of Central America. They are found across the eastern United States during migration. It was during this time of year that the Magnolia Warbler got its name.

8G7D5078
[Magnolia Warbler] 8G7D5078 by bmajoros

The species was first described for science in 1810 by ornithologist Alexander Wilson, who discovered an individual in a magnolia tree in Mississippi during migration. The bird found in the magnolia tree became the Magnolia Warbler. Word may not have spread to John James Audubon, however, as the species was included in his "Birds of America" as the Black & Yellow Warbler. In the painting, incidentally, the bird is perched in a Raspberry bush. If Wilson had found the bird in similar circumstances, would we call this bird the Raspberry Warbler?

Sample Magnolia Warbler gifts from Birdorable

Tomorrow's bird is sometimes known as Loro Gauro. Can you guess what it will be?

Birdorable Bonanza Preview

Today we proudly reveal the latest new bird in our Birdorable Bonanza 2012: the Victoria Crowned Pigeon.

Queen Victoria with Victoria Crowned Pigeon

The Victoria Crowned Pigeon is the world's largest species of pigeon. They are easily recognized by their unique and beautiful wispy crests of head feathers. These big beauties were named in honor of the longest reigning British monarch (so far) - Queen Victoria.

Victoria Crowned Pigeon
Victoria Crowned Pigeon by Tambako the Jaguar

They live in Papua New Guinea, where they prefer a woodland-type habitat. Victoria Crowned Pigeons mate for life, and usually raise just one chick per year. Like many other pigeon species, they breed easily in captivity, and are commonly found in zoos and aviary exhibits.

Birdorable Victoria Crowned Pigeon t-shirts and gifts

Tomorrow's bird is just a little thing, named after a flower. Can you guess what it will be?

Birdorable Bonanza Preview

Today's new addition to Birdorable is the stocky and beautiful Eurasian Bullfinch.

Cute cartoon Eurasian Bullfinches flying

Eurasian Bullfinches are stocky songbirds with gorgeous rosy-red, grey, black, and white plumage. While flashy in color, these beauties are rather shy, visiting feeding stations only if there is enough cover for a quick escape. They also travel in small groups, unlike some other, more gregarious, species of finch.

Bullfinch
Bullfinch by chapmankj75

We're offering this new cute Birdorable bird in a few different designs. The male Bullfinch sits alone, or a small mixed flock of Bullfinches takes flight. Finally, we offer a boldly colored Eurasian Bullfinch embroidery pattern on shirts and bags.

Birdorable Eurasian Bullfinch t-shirts and gifts

Tomorrow's bird is a "royal" giant. Can you guess what it will be?

Birdorable Bonanza Preview

Today's Bonanza bird is the Palm-nut Vulture, also known as the Vulturine Fish Eagle.

Palm-nut Vulture

Vultures are sometimes known as nature's garbage collectors, because they mostly feed on carrion - dead animals. The Palm-nut Vulture is the exception to the rule, feeding mainly on the fruits of Raphia and Elaeis palm trees. Their method of feeding can be quite unusual, too. They hang upside-down, holding onto the fruit with their feet and using their beaks to pull off pieces to eat.

Buitre palmero - Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis)
Buitre palmero - Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis) by ferran pestaña

The Palm-nut Vulture is rather common within its range. This species is fortunately not threatened, unlike many other vulture species.

Birdorable Palm-nut Vulture t-shirts and gifts

Tomorrow's bird is an Old World finch with a bovine name. Can you guess what it will be?

Birdorable Bonanza Preview

Today we reveal Bonanza Bird #7: The Red-fan Parrot, also known as the Hawk-headed Parrot.

Hawk-headed Parrot

The Red-fan Parrot is a beautiful species that lives in South America. They are named for the unusual fan of feathers found around the nape. The bird can control the position of these feathers, raising or lowering them depending on their mood.

Red-fan Parrot
Red-fan Parrot by Ryan Somma

The ruff feathers of this species are particularly beautiful. We have created a few unique designs featuring a cute cartoon illustration of the feathers, including a heart shape made of feathers and a circular design where the bird is outlined by feathers.

Hawk-headed Parrot t-shirts and gifts

Tomorrow's bird lives in Africa and has an unusual diet compared to other birds in its family. Can you guess what it will be?

Birdorable Bonanza Preview

Today's new bird in the Birdorable Bonanza 2012 is the Northern Harrier.

Northern Harrier

In most birds of prey, males and females have similar plumage. The Northern Harrier is an exception to this rule. Males have a mostly grey plumage, while females have a brownish plumage. Northern Harriers have a unique flight style, swooping low over fields and prairies looking for prey items with a butterfly-like flapping pattern.

Northern Harrier
Northern Harrier by canorus

The tendency to soar low over the ground combined with their unique plumage has earned male Northern Harriers a cute nickname: Grey Ghost.

Sample Northern Harrier t-shirts and gifts

Tomorrow's bird is a South American species of parrot with a raptoresque name. Can you guess what it will be?

Birdorable Bonanza Preview

The fifth bird in our Birdorable Bonanza 2012 is the cute little Golden-crowned Kinglet!

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglets are active little songbirds native to North America. A little feathered dynamo, the Golden-crowned Kinglet is always moving, and always cute! They are named for their beautiful golden crown, which is found on both males and females.

Golden-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet by Kelly Colgan Azar

Golden-crowned Kinglets have been expanding from their traditional breeding ground in the boreal forests of the far north. Relatively new spruce forests in the upper Midwest of the United States have proven to attract breeding kinglets, well south of their previous normal summer range.

Sample Golden-crowned Kinglet t-shirts and gifts

Tomorrow's bird is a bird of prey sometimes known as the Grey Ghost. Can you guess what it will be?

Birdorable Bonanza Preview

Our Birdorable Bonanza 2012 continues today with the Trumpeter Hornbill.

Trumpeter Hornbill

The Trumpeter Hornbill has the honor of being the first hornbill species to be added to Birdorable. These gregarious birds are found in southern parts of Africa. Trumpeter Hornbills are named for their baby-like crying vocalization, which is trumpeted out at a very loud volume. Here's what it sounds like:

Trumpeter Hornbill (Ceratogymna bucinator)
Trumpeter Hornbill by Ian n. White

All hornbill species have a very unusual nesting practice. They use natural tree cavities, but they make an interesting modification. Prior to incubation, the entrance to the cavity is sealed by a wall constructed by the female, who may or may not be assisted by her mate. It is sealed so tightly that she is unable to leave the cavity! During the incubation period, she receives all food from her mate through a narrow slit in the wall. When the chicks hatch, the whole family continues to be fed through the slit with food provided by the male. When the babies grow too large for all to remain comfortably inside the cavity, the mother hornbill breaks out -- but still the chicks remain inside! The broken cavity wall is repaired and they continue to grow, now receiving food delivered by both adults.

Sample Trumpeter Hornbill t-shirts and gifts

Tomorrow's bird is just a little thing that wears a crown of gold. Can you guess what it will be?

Birdorable Bonanza Preview

For 22 days we’re adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2012. We’re counting up to Birdorable #400! Today we introduce the Birdorable Saint Lucia Amazon!

St Lucia Amazon

The Saint Lucia Amazon is an endemic species of parrot that lives on the island nation for which it is named. These colorful bird are unfortunately vulnerable to extinction, threatened primarily by habitat loss. Conservation efforts are helping this species to come back from the brink of extinction. According to BirdLife International, "education and awareness programmes have turned the bird into a national symbol."

St Lucia Amazon Birdorable t-shirts, plate and bag

Tomorrow's bird is an African species known for its loud call. Can you guess what it will be?

Birdorable Bonanza Preview