1. Clay-colored Thrush (Costa Rica)
It is a bit like saying the national emotion is being bored. Wikipedia describes the plumage of the species as “brownish, somewhat lighter below than above, lightest on the flanks” – probably, ornithologists regularly working with this thrush have learned 40 different words for different shades of brown.
2. American Flamingo (Bahamas)
This flamingo is present in about 500 different countries in the Caribbean region – not just the Bahamas. And won’t American tourists think that having such a pink bird as a national bird is just, well, a bit gay?
3. Kagu (New Caledonia)
Maybe I am wrong about this – maybe choosing a bird that nobody has ever heard of is quite fitting for an island that nobody has ever heard of. In addition, it is a flightless bird – hardly the right symbol for a place with an independence movement (which makes me think that maybe the French selected the Kagu).
4. Barn Swallow (Estonia, Austria)
First of all, sharing your national bird with another country is kind of weird, like sharing your wife. Then again, sharing this particular species is not that weird as it is everywhere – so why pick it as a symbol for your nation?
5. Hoatzin (Guyana)
If you want to highlight the fact that your nation’s history is a story of being a part of other countries (“Guyana’s history is marked by periods of Dutch, French, and British colonial rule”, Google), then the Hoatzin is indeed a good symbol, as it looks like it has been made up of spare parts of other bird species (not my joke, but too good not to use it). Otherwise, it is not.
6. Hoopoe (Israel)
The Hoopoe is apparently listed in Leviticus as a bird that should not be eaten – it is grouped with “unclean” animals. And of course, it is not particularly specific to Israel.
7. Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Peru)
Now, this is truly a spectacular bird – but is it one that will draw in foreign investors hoping to reliably profit from a stable business climate and clear regulations? Or will it only attract those who think that drag queens and Elvis imitators are worth investing in?
8. Golden Eagle (Afghanistan, Albania, Germany, Mexico)
The fact that this species is chosen by four rather different (at least I hope so, as a German) countries says it all: this species is chosen for its strength and size, not for its morals. After all, Golden Eagles often lay two eggs, but the stronger chick will usually kill the weaker one soon after hatching. Do all four countries support this kind of behavior?
Cover Photo: Golden Eagle at Wenchuan, China
The black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa) is considered the national bird of the Netherlands, but not officially. How wonderfully Dutch, like one can smoke marijuana, but not grow it or sell it. Also, being the national bird didn’t help much – the godwit suffered a “precipitous decline”.
In Portugal the national bird is the Rooster of Barcelos, which isn’t a bird, but a piece of pottery sold to tourists… The rooster did save a person from being hanged, so not all bad.
Regarding #2, ” about 500 different countries in the Caribbean region.” Really?
You seem to have juvenile issues with those who have different sexual orientations.