Birdword: An Illustrated Information to Some Tongue-Twisting Ornithological Phrases


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They’re also known as technical phrases, eight-dollar-words, jargon, or simply simple gobbledygook. However hidden inside of the ones multisyllabic ornithological utterances are keys to attention-grabbing behaviors, time machines to take you again to historic Greek and Latin, and sly insights to the minds of scientists at paintings.

On this habitual characteristic through illustrator Rosemary Mosco we destroy down some of the “birdwords” we revel in essentially the most.

For extra, take a look at our previous Birdword pieces written through Residing Chicken team of workers writers.

Brood Parasite

Cartoon of duck thinking, "Sigh. It's time to build a nest, incubate and protect my eggs, and then raise the ducklings. I'm already exhausted!"
Cartoon of duck thinking "Unless..."
Cartoon of two different species of ducks, 3.5 weeks later, one with lots of chicks, saying "I don't recall laying this many eggs," the other with none saying "life is replete with mystery."

Brood parasite: n. A fowl that lays eggs within the nests of the similar or a distinct species leaving the ensuing younger to be raised completely through the host(s).

Regional Heterothermy

Cartoon strip with gull and image of author. Gull 1: Since it's getting colder, I bought some winter boots. Gull2: You don't need winter boots because we have regional heterothermy! I take it back. Those boots are amazing! Gull 1: Thank you.

Regional Heterothermy: n. The aptitude to let some portions of the frame get chilly whilst keeping up core frame temperature. Right here’s extra about how seabirds stay from getting chilly toes.

Concerning the Writer

Cartoon of woman with animals.
Representation through Rosemary Mosco.

Rosemary Mosco is an creator, illustrator, and speaker whose paintings connects other folks with the flora and fauna.

She’s written and drawn for the New York Occasions, Audubon, the PBS display Elinor Wonders Why, the Previous Farmer’s Almanac for Youngsters, Ranger Rick, and extra. She creates acclaimed science books for children and adults and makes the character comedian Chicken and Moon, which gained the Nationwide Cartoonists Society’s award for Highest On-line Quick Shape Comedian and was once the topic of an award-winning museum showcase. Her local weather alternate comics have been exhibited at AAAS headquarters and the Peabody Essex Museum. She offers attractive talks and workshops to teams of every age.

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