Today a bird that cannot be seen in the wild joins Birdorable. While there is hard work and much hope that the Guam Kingfisher can be reintroduced into the wild, the last free flying individuals were seen in the mid-1980s.
Their population was decimated by a non-native snake, the Brown Tree Snake. The introduction of this Asian snake to Guam was devastating to many native species on the island.
With just 29 individual Guam Kingfishers remaining in 1986, in order to save the species, all of the birds were captured for captive breeding. Today the captive population is close to 140 individuals. Conservationists are hoping to reintroduce the Guam Kingfisher into the wild on a snake-free island near Guam.
Guam Kingfishers have a pretty plumage with a rufous head with black eyestripe, and blue-green wings, back, and rump. Males have rufous underparts. Our Birdorable bird has a white belly; she is a female.
Today a cute little songbird from Australia and nearby island nations joins Birdorable! Welcome the Grey Fantail to the family!
Grey Fantails are insectivores. They include flashing their tails as part of their hunting strategy.
Several subspecies of Grey Fantail are recognized, each distinguished by slight differences in plumage, as well as in their native range. With its dark tail and buffy underparts, our Birdorable cartoon illustration is based on nominate Rhipidura albiscapa albiscapa, which breeds on Tasmania and the Bass Strait Islands.
Tomorrow we'll add a special species of kingfisher that is currently extinct in the wild. Conservationists are working to bring this island bird back to the wild. Can you guess the species?
Today a pretty species of waterfowl joins Birdorable! The Ruddy Shelduck is our 50th species in the duck, goose, and swan family.
Ruddy Shelducks are large ducks with a wide range and growing population across much of Asia. Ruddy Shelducks are also found in isolated populations in Europe and Africa; unfortunately these groups are in decline.
Ruddy Shelducks are aptly named, having an overall orange-brown (ruddy) body plumage, with a somewhat lighter shade over the head. Black flight feathers and white coverts can be seen in flight and in part while the bird is resting or swimming.
Tomorrow's new Birdorable is a native of Australia, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. This little songbird is named for its fabulous tail. Do you know the species?
Today we're kicking off our 14th annual Birdorable Bonanza! We're revealing 10 new birds in quick succession, from today through December 14th.
The White-tailed Eagle joins Birdorable today as our 766th species, and 51st bird of prey.
White-tailed Eagles have brown body plumage, ranging from light brown on the upperparts to darker brown on the underparts. As the common name indicates, this bird can also be recognized by its white tail. Non-covered body parts, like the large beak and powerful feet, are yellow.
Birdorable White-tailed Eagle merchandise like this unisex sweatshirt is available on Amazon.
Tomorrow we'll add an Old World species of waterfowl named for its color. They are found across much of Asia and have isolated populations in Europe and Africa. Can you guess what our new Birdorable bird will be?
Today's new bird, the final species in this year's Bonanza, is the Dollarbird.
This Old World species can be found throughout eastern Asia, southeast Asia, and eastern Australia. Named for light-colored discs on the underwings, Dollarbirds are part of the Roller family and are also sometimes known as Dark Rollers. Our cute Birdorable Dollarbird shows the glossy iridescent plumage and bright orange-red beak of an adult bird.
This concludes our 13th Annual Birdorable Bonanza! Thanks for following along as we added a flock of new birds all in a row! We hope you enjoy a safe, happy, healthy, and bird-filled holiday season.
Happy Thanksgiving! Today's new species isn't related to today's most famous bird, but the name is similar -- welcome the Australian Brushturkey to Birdorable!
Australian Brushturkeys are large, darkly plumaged birds with bare facial and neck skin. In males, the red head and yellow cowl are bright and unmistakable, especially during breeding season.
These large birds are clumsy in flight. They forage for food by scratching at the ground with their feet. Flight is used sparingly, to escape predators, or to reach safe roosting spots.
The Australian Brushturkey is known by a few other names, including Gweela, Scrub Turkey, or Bush Turkey.
Tomorrow our 13th Annual Birdorable Bonanza will conclude with the addition of a species in the roller family with an appropriate name for Black Friday. Can you guess the species?
