birding-aus

Identifying bird groups in need of a name change

To: "Tom and Mandy Wilson" <>
Subject: Identifying bird groups in need of a name change
From: L&L Knight <>
Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:59:11 +1000
Strange we don't call Australian caterpillars pushmepullyous.

On 26/11/2009, at 7:50 PM, Tom and Mandy Wilson wrote:

Laurie
The Bush Stone Curlew's European cousins, Stone Curlew (Burhinus
oedicnemus), certainly do have an affinity with stones, as I can
attest after spending 45 minutes at Weeting Heath in the Norfolk
brecklands in the UK in July this year trying to sort through the
rocks, thistles and rabbits that also occupy the field where the
Stone Curlews nest each year (found 4 - great views). See 2nd photo down on this page: http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/nwt_weeting_heath_summer_diary__update
I'm interested that nobody has commented that Cuckoo-Shrikes
probably got their name because:
1 - they have a similar profile and flying style to cuckoos (easy,
undulating, with wings periodically closed); and
2 - (presumably) they do something that Shrikes do too, like hunting from open perches or hovering to catch prey So they got a name that covers a bit of both - seems pretty logical to me.
Cheers
Tom Wilson



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