10 on Tuesday: 10 Favorite Birds



So, I have to admit that my 10 favorite birds are not exactly the ones you think would be anyone's favorites.  I like birds that are more interesting than pretty, especially the ones that make me tilt my head to the side and say "huh?" 

Ducks at Hunnewell Park in
Wellesley, MA

1) Peacock - Ok, so this bird is just pretty.  I love the long complex feathers they have and how they can hide their plumage. Group name: a Muster



2) Flamingo - Any bird that can wear hot pink and not be ashamed is good with me.  While flamingos are beautiful in a lot of ways, they are a little odd looking as well.  But apparently we like them enough to put fake ones made out of plastic on our lawns. Group name: a Stand.

Seagull while sailing around
Dead Neck/Sampson's Island
Sancutary in Cotuit, MA

3) Duck - I looooove ducks!  In college we had a nice gig pond in the center of campus and there were quite a few ducks that called that pond home.  We named them, gave them bread and enjoyed watching them every day... I think I have always really enjoyed feeding ducks since I was a little kid and used to go to the park to feed them with my Aunt Sandy.  Group name: a Badelynge, Bunch, Brace, Flock, Paddling, Raft or Team. 

4) Seagull - I spend a good deal of my time when I'm on vacation either on or near the ocean and seagulls are part of that complete oceanside package.  They are very resourceful birds.  Probably my favorite things about them are their foraging skills.  I have personally been dive bombed by one trying to get my hot dog.  While annoying, seagulls do really entertain me. Group name: a Flock or Colony (breeding group only).



Hawk at King Richard's Faire

in Carver, MA

5) Hummingbird - I just can't get over how these little guys even function.  They are so tiny and have to eat almost constantly so that they can keep moving.  I also find it really cool that when they fly by you they sounds like bees. Group name: a Charn

6) Hawk - Hawks are predatory birds with good eyesight that tend to hunt from above in concealed perches.  To me they are just beautiful and look very intelligent.  Group name: a Cast



7) Owl - I like how owls look all nice and sweet, but actually are excellent hunters, especially in low light conditions.  They have serrated edges on their flying feathers to make them quiet flyers and they can turn their heads up to 270 degrees in either direction.  Very cool.  Group name: a Parliament.

8) Swan - Ok, I love swans because they are just so graceful, serene and gorgeous.  A girl has to like something pretty doesn't she? Group name:  a Bevy, Lamentation, Herd, Game, Team or Wedge.

 

Swan at the Reservior in
Waltham, MA

9) Crow - Crows are in the same family as ravens, which are also pretty neat. I think I mostly like crows because of their black feathers and very distunctive call. Granted I really don't appreciate the latter when they are camping out behind my apartment buiding making a racket at 5 in the morning. Oh, also of note, a group of crows is called a murder.

10) Vulture - Vultures are opportunists and attack the ill or weak.  Some new world vultures have a keen sense of smell that helps them find food from up to a mile mile away.  Group name: a Wake.