Birds of Praise

A new species is on the verge of joining the Birds of Praise flock. The Doves from Above, once well known as contributors to a beloved television comedy show, are the chubby newbies seeking their place in the sun. Their ample bosoms filled with scented lavender and featuring some dainty florals and eccentric wingspan, the doves have made a very good first impression. They are now undergoing a full MOT and price check before they can be formally included in the catalogue. 

Big Garden birdwatch 2010 [ The Guardian ]

He’s always been a snappy dresser, our Samuel. His “saga” as we now refer to it (he does go on and on about it) starts in Lusaka, Zambia in the late 90s when  he fell head over heels in love with a visiting supply teacher from the UK. Brenda would fill her car up at Samuel’s family’s petrol station every day and they struck up a friendship. One thing, then another, and before you know it our Sam is planning his long journey north to be reunited with his beloved. Sigh! Gets you right there, doesn’t it …

** Samuel will be available in our store soon, in time for our Valentine’s Day promotion

New Zealand’s prime minister has given a government job to the country’s most famous — and probably most sexually adventurous — parrot. Sirocco, one of a rare species of flightless parrots called “kakapo,” has been appointed as the country’s “spokesbird for conservation.” Sirocco became famous last year when he was filmed trying to mate with BBC wildlife presenter Mark Carwardine’s head.

“He’s very media-savvy, he’s got a worldwide fan base — they hang on every squawk that comes out of his beak,” Prime Minister John Key told the Telegraph. “He’ll be a great official spokesbird for New Zealand.” Sirocco’s attempt at inter-species romance may have come from desperation: with his species numbering just 124, lady kakapos are few and far between.

It’s only early January and the permafrost shows no sign of thawing, but there is at least one bird in our flock keeping the place warm. As soon as we opened the borders of our nest to the rest of Europe, it was only a matter of time before a lovelorn Italian would land. And would you believe it, he calls himself Valentino. Yes, he has the usual patter and is prone to leaning casually up against any vertical surface while adjusting the rakish angle of his sunglasses, but deep down is really is a sweet boy with a heart of gold. In fact he wears it not only on his sleeve but all over his body, a scarlet suit of hearts that he commissioned from the Rosablue workshop soon after arriving. Benvenuto, ragazzo: I hope you will be a busy flier come February 14!

** Valentino will be on sale in our shop from January 11

You can now personalise your Bird of Praise with the initial of the recipient. We thought about it when one of our store customers needed something special in lieu of a bigger gift that would not make the Christmas deadline. We decided it worked rather well so now people can choose up to 3 initials, as shown above. The personalised birds cost £12.50, inclusive of EU postage. Have a look.

Our birds have embraced the Lisbon Treaty & in the spirit of Shengen they have begun preparing for what we hope will be regular journeys across the Channel to the mainland. So far, we have an Italian and French contingent in training. Soon we hope to have a German and a Spanish flock too … (btw: anyone who spots a translation error or can “hablar Espanol” or “sprechen zie Deutsch”, please get in touch!) Back in our training camp we even have some long-distance ones hoping to make the long trek to South Africa for the World Cup next year (they will come dressed up in their national gear) …

** Il Nido degli Auguri

** Les Oiseaux Généreux

Welcome home, Peter. Welcome home, Paul. The flags have been waving and the bunting swaying for the return of the Dickey Twins, without a doubt the most patriotic avians of the flock and both decorated fliers. It is not immediately clear how long they are staying. You can ask but you won’t get a dicky-bird* out of either of them. One thing is certain: Peter is not one to hang about. And wherever Peter goes, Paul is sure to follow.

*Dicky-bird: cockney rhyming slang for “word”