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 
Do you know someone who loves chess, art and parrots? If so, you might wish to start saving your money now for a Christmas gift that they would probably love: an Endangered Parrots of the World Chess Set.
This environmentally-friendly hand-made Chess Set was created by Grant Dawson Collections in the United States from certified sustainable North American hardwoods (walnut and maple) and food safe natural finishes, with recycled glass ball feet, and features 32 lead-free pewter playing pieces finished in 24k gold or sterling silver. The board is finished with a gold-plated Laelia xanthina orchid border. This is an endangered orchid that blooms in November and December.
This set is also available with hand-painted enamel chess pieces (pictured). Each playing piece fits carefully inside the box for storing or transporting. This lovely chess set is yours for only $5,000 -- a steal!
I admit, I am smitten.
Humanities & Social Science
Comments
They should have used a pair of Eclectus as the king and queen.
If you suggest that to them, will they give you a free set?
Posted by: Bob O'H | June 16, 2009 11:34 AM
Eclectus parrots are not endangered nor threatened, so no, i doubt it.
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | June 16, 2009 11:42 AM
Kakapo are a bit skinny. It looks like the poor things have been starved... ...and mounted in an unlikely pose. But I'd still love to have this!
Posted by: Matty Smith | June 16, 2009 11:56 AM
Oops, it just occurs to me: those are probably kea? If so, it's a pity such an amazingly unique bird as the kakapo missed out.
Posted by: Matty Smith | June 16, 2009 11:58 AM
That's really cool.
Posted by: John | June 16, 2009 12:36 PM
there's a bit of difficulty with regard to knights and rooks in that picture.
Posted by: --bill | June 16, 2009 1:02 PM
Bill beat me to it, a couple of the birds have moved illegally. I'm smitten too, but not $5,000 smitten. Perhaps you should have a giant chess tournament with this set as the grand prize and all entry fees to go to organizations fighting to save the birds.
Posted by: Science Avenger | June 16, 2009 2:55 PM
if they are kea (that's my guess) they would have been more identifiable if they had a windshield (windscreen?) wiper blade in their beaks.
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | June 16, 2009 3:51 PM
I hope the pawns & rooks(?) of each side are easier to distinguish in person than they are above.
Not only do the rook & knight have some role-playing issues to work out, but almost every piece in that photo except a few pawns has gone wayward.
Fun question to ask the photographer & layout designer for the above pic: what color should, say, the bottom-right corner of a chessboard be?
Posted by: Pierce R. Butler | June 16, 2009 7:53 PM
I knew you'd like this!
Posted by: Carrie Burrows | June 17, 2009 12:09 PM