guess the bird - slang names ( bit of fun ) (1 Viewer)

[stevetb]

this isn't meant to be serious and is aimed at all levels of skill because there is no identification skills needed. ill post a series of slang names for british birds and give the answers the next day.

some are really easy, some are quite hard

1. spadger
2. yaffle
3. ring blackbird
4. tom tit ( no.. not the smelly kind)
5. dabchick
6. arsefoot
7. whistler
8. bank swallow
9. bottle tit
10. bonxie

and todays bonus question - What bird is sometimes called " cuckoo's mate "

 

[OwlTalon]

only know bonxie is skua.

 

[dan pointon]

1) Sparrow
2) Green Woodpecker
3) Ring Ouzel
4) Coal Tit?
5) Little Grebe
6) Grebes in general?
7)?
8) Sand Martin
9) Blue Tit?
10) Great Skua

 

[MSA]

1. House Sparrow
2. Green Woodpecker
3. Ring Ouzel
4. Great Tit
5. Little Grebe
6. Coot
7. Blackbird
8. Sand Martin
9. Blue Tit
10. Great Skua

Cuckoo's Mate - Dunnock?

There are a couple I'm not too sure about - I'd be interested in the answers!

Question of my own - Do you know what species is known as "Rattlewing"?

 

[Helenelizabeth2]

Question of my own - Do you know what species is known as "Rattlewing"?

I suspect you of making this one up, MSA. When you google it guess where 50% of the 4 references occur - chog.org.uk!

Helen

 

[MSA]

I suspect you of making this one up, MSA. When you google it guess where 50% of the 4 references occur - chog.org.uk!

Helen

If you've googled it, you'll know the answer then Helen!

The chap who does the CHOG website most days (it's his "baby") loves these alternative names, especially for groups of birds - you'll find loads of kettles, whiffles etc scattered around the site - and uses them particularly on slow news days just to make it a bit less "dry".

Honest!!

 

[MSA]

Using the magic of Google, found out that Cuckoo's Mate is Wryneck.

What a wonderful thing this Internet is!

 

[Tranquility Base]

I know 'Seven Whistler' is Whimbrel.......

 

[MSA]

I know 'Seven Whistler' is Whimbrel.......

..and they are quite easy to imitate (as are Greenshank) - I had fun whistling loudly as small flocks flew over in the spring, and managed to attract a few down to investigate!

 

[Tranquility Base]

Some Norfolk ones:
Tanglepicker
Draw-water
Wind-hanger
Stormcock

 

[Helenelizabeth2]

If you've googled it, you'll know the answer then Helen!

Honest!!

Goldeneye. Didn't like to say since I cheated to find it.

Helen

 

[stevetb]

well done a lot of these where correct -
1. spadger - house sparrow
2. yaffle - green woodpecker
3. ring blackbird - ring ouzel
4. tom tit - blue tit
5. dabchick - little grebe
6. arsefoot - great crested grebe
7. whistler - wigeon
8. bank swallow - sand martin
9. bottle tit - long tailed tit
10. bonxie - great skua

cuckoo's mate = wryneck.
im just about to post one for this evening

 

[stevetb]

tranquility base, im pretty sure a stormcock is a mistle thrush, and ill guess wind hanger is a kestrel.

 

[stevetb]

a bit harder this time
1. butter bump
2. pied wigeon
3. sea pie
4. devil bird
5. summer snipe
6. pie-finch
7. mud stopper
8. corbie
9. merle
10. gorse chat

bonus question - what bird is known as a shelfie in scotland?

 

[teamsaint]

In Victorian times the Kestrel was called the "wind-f***er"

 

[Tranquility Base]

Tanglepicker = Turnstone
Draw-water = Goldfinch (Don't ask me why!)
Wind-hanger = Kestrel
Stormcock = Song Thrush
I've also heard: Harnser = Heron, Watchdog = Redshank and Gawk for Cuckoo!

 

[Dave B]

Tanglepicker = Turnstone
Draw-water = Goldfinch (Don't ask me why!)
Wind-hanger = Kestrel
Stormcock = Song Thrush
I've also heard: Harnser = Heron, Watchdog = Redshank and Gawk for Cuckoo!

One totally made-up by Suffolk birders going wild in Scotland - Glidy George...?

 

[Xenospiza]

Draw-water = Goldfinch (Don't ask me why!)

It's a literal translation of the Dutch name (Putter = someone drawing water from a well). Goldfinches in cages used to be taught to draw water.

 

[colonelboris]

a bit harder this time
1. butter bump
2. pied wigeon
3. sea pie
4. devil bird
5. summer snipe
6. pie-finch
7. mud stopper
8. corbie
9. merle
10. gorse chat

bonus question - what bird is known as a shelfie in scotland?

I know 3 is an oystercatcher.
Is 1 a common teal (pale yellow rump)?
I'll go for stone chat for 10 as that's where I always see them.

Can I add 'sprosser' in there...?

 

[OwlTalon]

4. I heard the Forest (Spot-bellied) Eagle Owl (Bubo nipalensis) called Devil Bird. That right?