With regards to the SA State Badge. A full description of this naming can be
read in the SAOA's book
"Birds, Birders & Birdwatching 1899-1999" A Celebration of 100 Years of the
SAOA.
A chapter by Joan Paton starting on page 9 explains the Governor of SA &
Britain's cock-up in this matter.
Yes it is the SA White Backed Magpie. But the story is good reading.
Our state badge is therefore quite unique.
Trevor Cowie
-----Original Message-----
From: Gemfyre [SMTP:
Sent: Tuesday, 26 October 2004 9:06 AM
To: Peter Waanders;
Subject: Bush bird names e.g. Happy Families
Speaking of SA bird names. While I was over there last summer visiting my
b/f's family I tried to find out what kind of bird the "Piping shrike" on
the SA flag was. I asked his dad, who has dabbled in birdwatching and he
couldn't remember. And going by the stylised picture on the flag I thought
it might be a Magpie Lark and kept teasing my b/f about the fact that his
state bird was a dopey Peewee.
Once I got home and was able to look it up I found that a Piping Shrike is
nothing more than a Magpie. At least it's more noble than Peewee. Now I
wonder why on earth they always refer to it as a Piping Shrike on the flag
rather than a magpie and why did they choose a magpie? It's hardly a bird
exclusive to SA (although admittedly Black Swans are found out of WA too).
Gemfyre
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