GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist, birder and freelance science and nature writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning a BS in Microbiology (emphasis in Virology) and PhD in Zoology (Ornithology) from the University of Washington. In NYC, she was the Chapman Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History for two years, pursuing part of her "dream" research project by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist and her five parrots are currently relocating to Germany, where she will continue writing her blog while also writing a book and learning German. (Meanwhile, her parrots will continue to nibble on her extensive personal library.) If you appreciate GrrlScientist's writing, you can help pay her living expenses by hiring her to "blog" your conference, speak at your club or write articles for your publication (or by clicking on the Paypal button below). If you read an essay on this blog that you especially enjoyed, please nominate it for inclusion in 
Before I name the winner of the "Nickname That Bird" contest, let me share Pete Dunne's favorite bird nicknames with you;
- Solitary sandpiper: Puddlepiper
- American woodcock: Meatloaf on a stick
- Rock pigeon: Bronx petrel
- Belted kingfisher: Aquakestrel
- Red-headed woodpecker: Tri-colored woodpecker
- Bluethroat: Rainbow in a Plain Brown Wrapper
- American Robin: Lawn Plover
- Yellow-rumped Warbler: Swarm Warbler
- Black-and-white Warbler: Zebra Creeper
- American Redstart: Flash Dancer
And the list of all entries received, in reverse chronological order;
comments and rules.
If I counted correctly, there were 20 people who participated. Okay, I wrote a few notes about the names you chose (below the fold) and also, the winner is ..
These suggestions made me laugh (not an easy task these days);
Kathy's suggestion of Cooties and Cootlets for American Coot and babies
Mary's suggestion of the "beep-beep bird" for the red-breasted nuthatch
M S's mention of "Dogwatcher" because that is spell-check's suggestion for dowitcher
Lorax's suggestion of "Major Fluffybutt" for the least grebe
Chuck's daughter's name of "Marshmallow Ducks" for male Buffleheads
Most appropriate names;
Dendroica's and Lorax's suggestion of "ring-billed duck" for the ring-necked duck
nolagal's suggestion of the "lone ranger" for the common yellowthroat (a bird that is anything but common in my eyes!)
Nancyjane's suggestion of " Orange Crowned Laughing Woodpecker" for the Red-bellied Woodpecker
Lorax's suggestion of "yarmulke warblers" for Wilson's warblers
Jack's mention of the name "Kwok" for the black-crowned night-heron
Kathy's suggestions; Meow Bird for the Spotted Towhee, the Black-assed Yellow Bird for the Yellow-headed Blackbird, the Chicago Quail for the California Quail, the Whistle Duck for the Wood Duck, the Bandit Bird for the Common Yellowthroat, the Red-headed Sapsucker for the Red-breasted Sapsucker, and the Camp Robber for the Gray Jay.
And the winner of the book is Kathy!
Comments
How about "boojum" for the Ivory Billed Woodpecker?
Or is this too literary?
Bob
Posted by: Bob O'H
| May 23, 2006 1:19 PM
It was really fun to read all the suggestions!
Posted by: turtlebella | May 23, 2006 1:49 PM
Or how about "haint" for the ivory-billed? See TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD for a definition of the term.
Posted by: biosparite | May 23, 2006 1:58 PM
Not really a practical name, but my pun-loving family has always referred to the Rose Breasted Grosbeak as the Gross Breasted Roastbeef. ;-)
Posted by: chezjake | May 23, 2006 2:55 PM
late to the game, but I saw an article a few years back about an Austrailian duck. It apparently has a 1 meter penis and 6 inch legs. I'll nominate it as the oh no bird. (for it cry when coming in for a landing.)
Posted by: 1watt | May 23, 2006 3:43 PM
I'm in error, it's only half a meter long.
http://tinyurl.com/9z9n
Posted by: 1watt | May 23, 2006 3:52 PM
Kathy's suggestions were very good.
Posted by: Dendroica
| May 24, 2006 1:00 PM
thanks for all the additional nickname suggestions, everyone. this is one of my most favorite conversations to have with birders because i always learn something new and i always end up laughing.
Posted by: GrrlScientist | May 24, 2006 1:16 PM
I can't remember her name, but a non-birding girlfriend of a staffer
at the Point Reyes Bird Observatory around the late 1970s made up
my two favorites:
Tippy Glider (Turkey Vulture)
Angel Hawk (White-tailed Kite)
Posted by: John W. Shipman | May 24, 2006 11:09 PM
Oh man, I can't believe I missed this contest. These may have already been mentioned:
House Sparrow - McDonald's Warbler, Burger Kinglet, Black-throated Brown Warbler
Posted by: Patrick | May 25, 2006 4:53 PM
Hi, The common yellow-throat is certainly common in my yard. I almost always have one in the flower garden and one in the brush under my walnut trees. This year was no exception.
This time of year the red-bellied woodpecker in my yard is refered to as "squaker."
Posted by: Stevie | May 31, 2006 5:39 PM