10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 2, 2018

But the name of this beer had nothing to do with “Sixteen Tons” of coal, or “Okies” from Muskogee, but birds: merle is also the French word for “blackbird”. And, of course, by blackbirds I mean true thrushes of the family Turdidae , of which the Common (Eurasian) Blackbird ( Turdus merula ) is the most famous in European culture and folklore.

Blackbirds 113

Blackbirds Belgium Colorado Wounded 113

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 19, 2012

Either that or having family friends in Germany. After the castle we wound our way through the Black Forest where we were able to watch a pair of Eurasian Three-toed Woodpeckers foraged a few feet in front of us. At the city castle I was able to watch, from a distance, a Hawfinch foraging on the ground. A quick sidetrack.

Salamander 140

Salamander Germany Birds Blackbirds 140

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2018

Three members of the family Ramphastidae : a versatile mascot for everything from Irish dry stout to fruit-flavored breakfast cereals. According to one legend, Kevin was kneeling in prayer one day when a blackbird alighted on his outstretched hand and began to build a nest. Saint Kevin and the blackbirds. So why a blackbird?

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Blackbirds Wounded Stray 2013 107