Aotearoa New Zealand could name itself the land of birds, however numbers-wise, the title doesn’t stack up.
There are simply over 200 bird species breeding right here in Aotearoa. But Ireland has greater than twice as many at over 450 species.
Then why the title? Is it as a result of birds right here fill attention-grabbing ecological niches that elsewhere are taken up by numerous mammals? Is it as a result of most of the birds are endemic – discovered nowhere else on earth?
Or is it merely birding bluster?
There’s just one option to discover out.
The Great Ireland vs. New Zealand Bird-off returns for spherical two. Who will fly to victory?
Photo: Northern lapwing – Imran Shah CC BY-SA 2.0 / North Island brown kiwi 123RF
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Welcome again to the Great Ireland versus New Zealand Bird-off. A sporting contest in opposition to Ireland happening this spring that New Zealand actually has a chance of winning.
Last week’s opening salvos noticed the white-crested sea eagle defeat the moa – on account of not being extinct – and the kea outsmart the northern raven.
Tītipounamu was gifted a win over the goldcrest, in a transfer Ireland would possibly but remorse, and we completed up with a mighty showdown – Sirocco the kākāpō versus the swallow, herald of summer time.
In a controversial determination prompted by childhood reminiscences, the swallow was given the win, to go away all the things tied up at two all.
And so, we’re again. To type this out as soon as and for all. We’ve introduced again our two avian aficionados who’ve answered their nation’s calls.
The takahē and buzzard are each powerful birds, however which species is the hardiest?
Photo: Takahē – Bernard Spragg CC0 / Buzzard – Birdwatch Ireland
Ireland – Ricky Whelan
Biodiversity officer at Offaly County Council, and co-host of the In Your Nature podcast with Niall Hatch and Birdwatch Ireland, Ricky has been working with birds and in conservation for over 15 years. He is a walking encyclopaedia of chook info and conservation considerations – and can even deliver the smack speak.
If you haven’t had your fill of Ricky chook info after listening to the episode you’ll find some extra on X (Twitter) or Instagram.
New Zealand – Jamie McAulay
Jamie McAulay completely underestimated simply how ridiculous kiwi are, till he was holding one. Now primarily based in Te Anau, he works with the Department of Conservation (DOC) as a conservation biologist. Whether it’s listening to kōkako at daybreak in Pureora forest, or recovering takahē from puddles, he has had shut encounters with lots of New Zealand’s favorite birds.
Jamie posts about his conservation work on Instagram and you’ll study his analysis into alpine pests on YouTube.
Birds are ridiculous creatures, and that is why we love them. Ireland’s cuckoo takes on New Zealand’s nationwide chook, the kiwi, for essentially the most ridiculous crown.
Photo: Cuckoo – Birdwatch Ireland / Kiwi – Jamie McAulay.
Birds going beak-to-beak
Evolution has dealt the birds in each nations’ completely different arms, with completely different outcomes. Which chook shall be awarded the title of most ridiculous?
Then in fact people got here alongside and triggered issues. Which chook is now essentially the most in bother? How have conservationists in Ireland been dealing with the recent inflow of avian flu, and what would possibly this imply for birds in Aotearoa?
And lastly which chook shall be awarded the Steven Seagal title of the “hardiest” to seal the win for his or her nation?
Listen to study concerning the loopy life cycle of the cuckoo, the bizarre feathers of the kiwi and the way picnickers are threatening one chook species. Plus financial institution some candy chook info in your subsequent quiz outing.
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