Biology Department Newsletter Issue 20: Autumn term, 2021
‘The Birds of Christmas’ with Mr Glanville Did you know that there are a total of 184 birds in ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’? Six different species are represented, and whilst we are all pretty familiar with geese and swans, we might be less aware about the others. A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa)
There are 2 species of partridge in the UK: the grey partridge (Perdix Perdix) and the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa). Partridges are small game birds and are members of the pheasant family. Although the grey partridge does fly, it is strictly a ground bird whereas the red-legged partridge is known to roost in orchards, making it the most likely contender for the true love’s first gift!
Two turtle doves Turtle doves are only summer visitors to the UK and their population has undergone a huge 98% population decline since 1970. There are now less than a thousand pairs breeding in the UK. This decline is believed to be due to habitat loss, hunting pressure during the migration, especially on Mediterranean islands including Malta, and lack of food including weed seeds during the breeding season. Four Calling birds Three French hens There are lots of French chicken breeds. One of the most distinct is the Houdan.
The calling birds are “colly” birds in the original version of the song. Colly (or collie) is from “colliery,” an Old English word for coal mines. It was also used when referring to blackbirds, as in “black like coal.” Blackbirds are common woodland and garden birds in the UK and on the continent, where they are known as the black thrush. At Habs blackbirds are common throughout the school grounds but they tend to be fairly inconspicuous. The male bird is black whilst the female is mainly brown. Many people think that the blackbird has one of the most beautiful songs of all the British birds. Blackbirds are one of the only native birds that feeds regularly on earthworms. Many of the Blackbirds that are found in the winter in the UK have migrated from the continent to avoid the colder weather.