For 18 days we've been adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. We saved a very special bird for the final bird of our bonanza. Today's bird is the Birdorable Secretary Bird! Secretary Birds are large birds of prey native to sub-Saharan Africa. They have atypically long legs for a bird of prey, standing a whopping four feet high. Their distinctive look also includes their long scraggly head crest, featherless red faces and extremely long tails. They are like big crested eagles standing on towering crane legs! Wow!

Secretary Birds by vanbikkel

Three boys in South Africa made the news last week in a wildlife rescue story involving a Secretary Bird. The boys were alerted that another group of youths was stoning a Secretary Bird on their block. The hero boys grabbed the bird by the feet (good idea - those talons are dangerous!) and body and brought it back home. Wildlife experts were called in to care for the rescued bird, which is expected to be released back into the wild after rehabilitation.

Birdorable Secretary Bird Kids Sweatshirt	Birdorable Secretary Bird Travel Mug

For 18 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. The Bonanza will be wrapping up soon! Today's bird is the Anna's Hummingbird! Anna's Hummingbird is a small species of bird native to the west coast of the United States. The species was named after Anna Masséna, Duchess of Rivoli, by French naturalist René Primevère Lesson.

Anna's Hummingbird by loismanow

Birdorable annas-hummingbird Ladies Long Sleeve T-Shirt	Birdorable annas-hummingbird Ringer Mug

Tomorrow's bird will be the 18th and last in the Birdorable Bonanza. Can you guess what it is?

For 18 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. Today's bird is the beautiful Bali Mynah! The Bali Mynah is a stocky perching bird related to starlings. In fact, the species is also known as the Bali Starling. Bali Mynahs are almost completely white, with black at the tip of the tail and wings. They also have a long drooping crest and a bright blue patch of skin around the eye.

Bali Mynah by Mark McLaughlin

Birdorable Bali Mynah Kids Sweatshirt	Birdorable Bali Mynah Basic Long Sleeve Raglan

Tomorrow's bird is a small North American bird with a red crown. Can you guess what it will be?

For 18 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. Today's bird is the Tree Swallow! Tree Swallows are relatively common North American breeding birds that nest in cavities. They will use nestboxes when natural cavity nesting sites are unavailable. Tree Swallows are extremely agile in flight. They are adept at catching their primary food - insects - on the wing.

Tree Swallow Closeup by Phil Armishaw

Birdorable Tree Swallow Organic Grocery Tote	Birdorable Tree Swallow EDUN LIVE Toddler T-Shirt

Tomorrow's bird is a critically endangered bird that is endemic to Bali, Indonesia. Can you guess what it will be?

For 18 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. Today's bird is the Red-winged Blackbird. Red-winged Blackbirds are closely related to orioles and grackles. Here in northern Illinois, where we live, Red-winged Blackbirds are an early sign of spring. They return to nest in our county each after spending the winter further south. Hearing the first Red-winged Blackbirds calling on territory with their distinctive "konkaREE!" cry always means warmer weather is on the way soon.

Red-winged Blackbird by Gary Grossman
 

What a Display! by vtpeacenik

Tomorrow's bird is an aerial forager who nests in cavities. Can you guess what it is?

For 18 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. Today's bird is the North American Wood Duck. Male Wood Ducks, like our new Birdorable, are beautifully plumaged. Iridescent green heads, brick-red breasts and sandy flanks are just part of the multicolored story.

Wood Ducks nest in trees, or nest boxes. They are considered perching ducks, and it is not uncommon to see them perched high up in trees.

Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) by musicarver

Tomorrow's bird likes to show off his red epaulets while calling. Can you guess what it is?

For 18 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. Today's bird is the Chattering Lory. The Chattering Lory is a beautiful species of parrot native to parts of Indonesia. They have gorgeous bright red heads and bodies, with green wings and orange beaks.

Chattering Lory by dbillian

Tomorrow's bird is a beautiful North American duck. Can you guess what it is?

For 18 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. Today's bird is the European Greenfinch, shown above with two other common European feeder birds: the European Goldfinch and Chaffinch. The European Greenfinch, known simply as Greenfinch in its native English-speaking countries, is a small bird of the finch family. Like other finches, they feed primarily on seeds, and will visit garden feeders to eat sunflower seeds and other bird seed. Greenfinches are social birds and it is not uncommon to find large flocks of them feeding together, especially outside of breeding season. They will form mixed flocks with other small birds, like European Goldfinches or Chaffinches.

Greenfinch by António Guerra

Tomorrow's bird is a chatty red parrot from Indonesia. Can you guess what it is?

For 18 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. Today's bird is the Mourning Dove! Mourning Doves are widespread across North America, one of the most abundant birds on the continent. They are ground feeders, feasting on seeds and storing extra food in their crop for later digestion. Mourning Doves are common backyard feeder birds who will often spend hours pecking at seeds while remaining relatively still. Believe it or not, Mourning Doves consume up to 20% of their body weight every day. So that's how they maintain their pleasantly plump profile!

Mourning Dove by Joanne-V

Tomorrow's bird is a small green bird that's widespread throughout Europe, north Africa and south-west Asia. Can you guess what it is?

For 18 days we're adding a new Birdorable bird every day as part of our Birdorable Bonanza 2010. Today's bird is the Palm Cockatoo! Palm Cockatoos are very distinctive-looking parrots. They are slate-grey in color, with a featherless, bright red cheek. Their bills are extremely large, and they sport a long, scraggly grey head crest. Because of their rare beauty, Palm Cockatoos are very popular in aviculture. Despite their relatively small native range in Australia, the wild population is stable and not considered threatened.

Palm Cockatoo by P. Stubbs

Tomorrow's bird is a very common bird across North America. You can find them almost anywhere. Can you guess what it is?