The Dodo Bird

I give you my word

I’d want to be extinct too

if my name was Dodo Bird

Antbirds

Unless they’re following army ant swarms

and devouring different little life forms

for a birder to see them

they pretty much become can’tbirds

The Northern Cardinal

The state bird of seven northeastern U.S. states

but alas not the one I live in

if anybody does harm to a Northern Cardinal

they are committing a cardinal sin.

The Common Gallinule

The Common Gallinule

used to be called the Common Moorhen

so that begs the question

in that species

for all the gals and hens

are there moor or less

any Common Males left?

Sea Gulls?

Birders say there is no such species as a sea gull

but don’t all gulls sea dwell?

Flycatchers

Belonging to the largest bird family worldwide

I don’t mean to be snide

but why is it that most flycatchers aren’t eyecatchers?

All Birds are Exceptional Except the Exception

This time of year

Mostly due to migration and lack of hydration

Most of the birds disappear.

Still largely in the single and less commonly in the pair,

When I do see them they are appreciatively greeted thusly:

To the Vermillion Flycatcher its hi Vermi

To the Loggerhead Shrike it’s hi Shrikey

To the Blue Grosbeak it’s hi Grossie

To the Golden-Fronted Woodpecker it’s hi Goldie

To the Streak-Backed Oriole it’s hi Streaky

To the Rufous-Backed Thrush its buenas dias Rufie,

To the Groove-Billed Ani it’s hey Ani

To the Curve-Billed Thrasher it’s hi Thrashie

To the Canyon Towhee it’s hey there Hee

To the exception which aren’t exceptional yet who are ubiquitous

in their numbers at times ridiculous,

Do you House Sparrows always have to be here!

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The Hooded Merganser

Which duck who isn’t stuck-up

exhibiting a gorgeous manly hood

while showing much pluck 

to catch fish dives into the muck?

The male Hooded Merganser is the anzer

and you can see is well worth at least a stanzer.

A Wonderful Bird is the Pelican by Dixon Lanier Merritt

A wonderful bird is the pelican
His bill can hold more than his belican
He can take in his beak
Food enough for a week
But I’m damned if I see how the helican

Vultures

Be they black, turkey, or king

I have a hard time empathizing with any vulture

as I can’t relate to their dining culture

since eating carrion is just not my thing.