For Bird Lovers Only -- Linda, KEEP OUT!!!!!

[anonsi]

So true, R_M (about crow crap)!  There are a lot of crows in the town where I went to college.  It would get so bad that it would be hard to find a clean bit of the sidewalks to walk on. Talk about gross.  And if you had to walk in between two close buildings...watch out!  The smell could almost suffocate you!

[biggerbirdbrain]

Well, well -- so much for pretty bluebirds and soaring eagles!!

I tried to get this whole thing started for everyone to talk about the wonders of the bird world, and first was hounded by Linda and her hag-hexes, and now, it's all turned to CRAP!!!

So sad, really!! 

[rogue_mother]

But, Threeb!  This is a topic of particular interest to birders.  One of my favorite gifts to my dad was a t-shirt printed with various sizes and shapes of bird doo.  Each was labelled according to the species that had created it.  He thought it was hilarious.

[biggerbirdbrain]

That DOES sound funny, R-M. And, yes, I suppose I should keep it all in perspective and if you feel that this serves the greater good, then I will not argue. Perhaps I will learn something ... we've had so much rain, that our deck isn't covered with bird poop but more with green algae!

As long as everyone else is happy, then so am I!! 

Shall I also then start a guano thread?? 

[rogue_mother]

While we're on this particular aspect of birding -- owl pellets are actually quite interesting.  Owls eat their prey whole, and the undigested parts come out as a packet of hair and bones.  We found one once near a boathouse where an owl was known to hang out.  I have always been sorry that I didn't save it.

[anonsi]

We went to a nature conservancy when I was in grade school.  One year they showed us owl pellets and we got to dissect them to see what was inside...it was v. fascinating.  Of course, the guide was the one who dissected it (with his bare hands!), so I thankfully didn't have to touch it.

[technomc]

If you think that was a gross thing to have to do Anonsi..can i safely assume you don't do nappies!!!!

[a non-amos]

We went to a science museum a few years ago.  Among other things, their gift shop sold owl pellets.  The little kiddies could buy one, then take it home to dissect.  Maybe parade it around the house for a while, or take it to school?  Gee, I hope they didn't dissect it on the kitchen table . . .

I also have a T shirt printed with a variety of different types of animal droppings, all from very rare animals.  The title is "endangered feces".

[biggerbirdbrain]

You must get a lot of attention with that shirt!

How goes it in your neck of the woods, a non-amos? I see you're back again. We missed you for most of the summer, it seems, although I think you had posted more recently. What's going on in your busy life?

[rogue_mother]

My favorite dropping from the shirt that I gave my dad was the one from the robin (North American).  Its Latin name is actually Turdus migratorius.

[Binkie]

Have you ever come across a book called "What Bird Did That?: A Driver's Guide to Some Common Birds of North America" by Peter Hansard ?
My parents have a copy, and I was completely fooled for the first couple of pages!  Funny stuff. 

[a non-amos]

That book is most delightful.  I don't have a copy, but have seen it around.

BBB, you are quite correct.  Life is busy, but I probably would not have it any other way.

I started to type a summary of what's been going on here in Roanoke, but it was too lengthy a digression from this topic.  I think I will start a separate thread.

[biggerbirdbrain]

I've looked on Google and found all kinds of delightful pics from the book -- there are a few excerpts on this link (which I didn't expect to be so long, but I put it here anyway):

http://books.google.com/books?id=ePnM_MyrEOwC&dq=&pg=PP1&ots=k-SM83MWC8&sig=F_nSFy6PkAeH4pPwp182hGZiAKY&prev=http://www.google.com/search%3Fclient%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla%253Aen-US%253Aofficial%26channel%3Ds%26hl%3Den%26q%3Dhansard%2Bwhat%2Bbird%2Bdid%2Bthat%26btnG%3DGoogle%2BSearch&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title


He uses very descriptive nouns for each shape, color and specie of poop, and that's really hilarious!

[Linda]

Disgusting! 

[biggerbirdbrain]

And that's why YOU need to stay off this thread, dear! Not only due to your ornithophobia, but its related topics as well!!

SERVES YOU RIGHT FOR POKING IN!!!