#BirdGlamour flocks into Goose Glam with the adorable Barnacle Goose! These geese breed on the Arctic coasts of Greenland & Siberia and in winter in NW Europe. Did you know that in the 12th century people thought they spawned fully grown from Goose Barnacles? Images like this one from the Topographia Hibernica (c. 1188 CE) are common in bestiaries of the time! Of course, Ash was involved as Artistic Consultant. #GlamorousByNature #CatsofMastodon #SciArt #SciComm

On the 9th Day of Birdmas #BirdGlamour gave to me 9 Ladies Dancing...like the dance of the Hooded Grebe! These Critically Endangered grebes are only found in remote basaltic lakes and Atlantic estuaries of southern Argentina. Their numbers are difficult to determine due to their remote habitats, with a maximum estimate of 3000-5000 individuals (in 1997), Mated pairs have extremely elaborate dance displays! #12DaysOfBirdmas #GlamorousByNature #sciart #scicomm

On the 2nd Day of Birdmas #BirdGlamour gave to me 2 European Turtle Doves! "Turtle" isn't related to actual turtles: it's onomatopoeic to describe the "turtur" song which they coo to each other. They are a symbol of love: Turtle Doves form very strong pair bonds! Sadly, European Turtle Doves are facing a decline due to changing farming practices (there are fewer scattered seeds and grains left in fields) and hunting.
#12DaysOfBirdmas #GlamorousByNature

The #BirdGlamour Goldeneye Glam series continues with the Barrow's Goldeneye male breeding plumage! Barrow's Goldeneyes are more common on the coasts but can be seen further inland in western North America. These cavity nesters love nest boxes. Around Lake Mývatn in Iceland their local name is húsönd (house duck) and it's considered a source of pride to have a nest box and host these colorful mountain lake ducks!
#GlamorousByNature #BirdGlamourOfNorthAmerica #SciComm #SciArt

It's #BirdGlamour Winter Duck Season with a Goldeneye Comparison! Male Common Goldeneyes perform elaborate courtship displays in winter & spring with 14 different moves including the “head throw kick:" he bends his head back then thrusts forward & kicks up water with his feet!
#GlamorousByNature
#BirdGlamourOfNorthAmerica