Bird Call

Tubenoses

These Tubenoses live at sea. Nearly all the time. Fast and graceful in the air they bank into long, cool looking turns near the water’s surface. I love watching them.

But landing?

They come in hot. Feet first. Landing gear down. They don’t skid. They stop. Cold. Presumably to catch a fish.  Effective? Apparently. Pretty? Mmm…. They don’t land. They crash. And top it off with a header. Like bobbing for apples.

   
And Tubenose really is their name. Well the family name. It’s not hard to see where they got it of course. The two raised nostrils on their beak.

What are they for? After extensive study scientists think maybe they use them to smell fish.

Oh really.

Well here’s something I’d really like them to research.

When Tubenoses splash down. And do that header thing?

How in the world do they keep water from going up their nose?  : )

 

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Least Tern

Least Terns aren’t called that because there aren’t many of them. Though they were almost hunted to extinction. In the late 1800’s Least Terns were used to decorate hats. Sometimes as many as 100,000 a day were killed.  All so every stylish lady could have one sitting on her head. You have to wonder who thought that was a good idea.

No, they are called “least” because they are small. About nine inches is all. With a cute little white triangle on their forehead.

There still aren’t many of them. About 1700 pair on the Pacific Coast. But ornithologists are calling it a comeback of sorts.

The meaning of "tern" dates much earlier. It comes from an 8^th century English word: stearn.  Which may have derived from pern in Old Nordic.

Both meant tern.  : )

Here is a link to  some cool photos on Wikipedia: Least Tern

Bird-nerd-word of the day: Oology

Oology of an Egg

Smooth and even on the surface

Perfect in its shape and purpose

But just a place to dwell.

A place where birds are manufactured 

First serves its purpose then is fractured

Before it’s bid farewell.

Once used to shelter, grow and nurture

It now sets free a baby percher

And becomes an empty shell. :)

 

Oology [oh-WALL-a-jee] is the collection and study of wild birds’ eggs. Science studies them. Well intentioned in the past but often overzealous. And some people not so well intentioned.  They study how they taste.  And sell. Not nice. Or legal.