22: The (Not Quite 12) Birds of Christmas

Some people think it's weird that many gifts in the "12 Days of Christmas" carol are birds. We're not those people...because BIRDS. Impress your friends and family this holiday season by spittin' some fun facts about the birds mentioned in this song—plus, a special Hannukah bird!

You'll also get the lowdown on Audubon's 2019 Christmas Bird Count and how you can participate. This long-standing citizenry science event turns a whopping 120 years old this year! WOWOWOWOW. Plus, joining a CBC group near you is a great way for beginner birders to get a helping hand with identification. Check it out!

Oh, we also share two fun and intriguing articles in "Birds in the News" that aren't about climate change destroying birds. Yay!

Thanks to everyone who listened to Bird Sh*t Podcast in 2019. We'll see ya with our eyes to the skies in 2020!

BIRD SHIT WE DISCUSSED

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Hanson’s “Snowed In” is the quintessential Christmas album. 
• James Bond’s “Birds of the West Indies” Peterson Field Guide
• Get the info on the 2019 Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count taking place near you! 

BIRDS WE MENTION (in order)

• Rock Pigeon
• American Black Duck
• Red-legged Partridge (French Partridge)
• Gray Partridge
• European Turtle-Dove
• Faverolle (chicken breed)
• Eurasian Blackbird
• American Robin
• Graylag Goose
• Mute Swan
• Trumpeter Swan
• Ring=necked Pheasant
• European Goldfinch
• Scarlet Macaw
• Northern Cardinal
• Blue Jay
• Great Tit

BIRDS IN THE NEWS

• Happiest bird story of 2019: this 91-year-old Canadian man who has built 900+ birdhouses
• James Bond was an ornithologist IRL. True story. (And RIP <3)