Off Topic Vote for a National Bird (feathered variety)

Apparently in an amazing oversight the British have neglected to appoint a national bird, placing us at a huge competitive disadvantage to our foreign enemies. The French have their coq, the Americans (and just about everyone else) have their eagle. We have bugger all.

But fear not! We have the chance to vote on this critical issue, and here is the link to help you exercise your democratic rights.

http://www.votenationalbird.com/#vote

Ten birds have been nominated. However I do not feel the list is complete, and one bird in particular has been overlooked, one which plays a vital role in our daily lives and is a true reflection of our national character.

Vote for the factory farmed chicken!

Any other nominations? What is the Irish national bird?

 

I have exercised my democratic rights... I have voted

 

I like rooks and respect those magpies
But it's kingfisher for me

 

I was going to post a picture of a factory farmed chicken, but they really are too revolting.
Where I used to live in south west London parakeets were the dominant species. I'm going for them, brightly coloured immigrants really enrich the environment.

 

The Great Tit

Sorry thought this was the 'Arry thread - I'll get UTR's coat

 

I've always rather fancied a shag.

 

i have more trust in this election, vote cast

 

Used to be the hod carrier pigeon, but unfortunately now extinct due to loss of habitat

 

Am I allowed to vote for the following, just to piss off Jamie Oliver...?

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I voted for the mighty Red Kite, they rule the sky's here in Berkshire.

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Mute Swan, is there a better bird than a mute one?

 

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This is the Irish one

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I remember discussing seabirds with a young woman contemporary I worked with (who was also a friend). She told me with ornithologist's seriousness, that she wasn't sure she could tell the difference between a cormorant and a shag. I told her that if she and her husband woke up with feathers all over the duvet, they'd had a cormorant...

She took it in good part (fortunately)

PS Barn Owl for me. The first time I saw one took my breath away

 

Not strictly true. They dominate the skies in Berkshire and South Oxfordshire through sheer numbers, but they certainly don't rule the skies.
They have very weak talons, meaning that they are really only built for scavenging or the taking of small, light birds like ducklings and young crows etc.
They are certainly incredibly graceful and with a 5' wing span they certainly look formidable. The Peregrines and Sparrow hawks probably rule the skies, although the Rooks give it a good go, again through sheer numbers and through mobbing of other birds.
Of the choices given, I have voted for the Hen Harrier. A beautiful bird of prey.

 

Barn Owls are incredibly beautiful birds. They have silent wing beats so that their prey has no idea that they are about to be taken. I've watched many Barn Owls fly along in front of my car in the light of the headlights, a wondrous sight.

 

Got to be the Hobby hawk, Falco Subbuteo......beautiful small bird of prey,

 

Agree. The first time I saw one, it came out of a winter copse at dusk when I was walking across a field. There was something haunting, almost spectral about it. Never forgotten it.

 

A wonderful bird of prey the Hobby, although it isn't a Hawk. The clue is in the Latin name that you mentioned..........a Falcon.
They hunt small birds and large insects and beetles and can be seen of a Summer's evening engaging in fantastic aerial battles. They are rarely outdone for sheer elegance.
Only a Summer visitor though.

Keep them coming.................I'm loving this thread!!

 

Almost ghost like aren't they? Especially as they are silent flyers.

 

I voted for the Blue Tit. Saw a pair of them in the garden this morning. Tiny birds but really pretty.

I hope it is ok for a foreigner to vote.