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The Kiskadee!

Of ALL the birds in the world, the kiskadee is my absolute favorite. I recall the Republic Reader that we had to read for school contained a poem about the kiskadee by Olga Comma-Maynard. Here is a snippet:ย 

I know you by your yellow vest
You little keskidee
That suits so well that clean brown coat
That cling so close to thee

The little ring upon your head
That forms a little hat
Why if you stood with all the other birds
I would know you just by that

The Great Kiskadee is the coolest bird ever and I’m thankful that I get to see them every day. As a matter of fact, as I write this post,ย  a few of them are outside my window being their noisy, beautiful selves.ย 

Great Kiskadee - Ian Davies

Image: The Great Kiskadee ยฉ Ian Davies

๐Ÿฆ The Great Kiskadee is named after it’s 3 syllable call. They’re one of the largest – and not to mention boisterous – members of the tyrant flycatcher family.

๐Ÿฆย Kiskadees are known for their bold behavior like a Jay and can be quite cunning. They’re known to chase larger animals (such as snakes and monkeys) that attempt to raid their nests.

Photographic Print: Greater Kiskadee by Ken Archer : 24x16in

Image: Greater Kiskadee by Ken Archer

๐Ÿฆ Kiskadees are natural adapters. Despite environmental changes, they can survive on a variety of food. However, they’re not too fond of mangoes, but will indulge in ripe bananas.

๐Ÿฆย Although it’s the best known bird here (Trinidad), it is not normally found in the sister isle of Tobago.

Great Kiskadee in a Fedora

Image: Great Kiskadee in a Fedora by mainandvine.com

๐Ÿฆ Kiskadees are monogamous, meaning that they only have one mate.ย 

The call of the kiskadee is loud and vivacious. They always seem to be asking “Oรน est-tu?” (French for “Where are you?”). Here is a video by Birdfun in which you can clearly hear the bird’s beautiful call.

 

Images: Pinterest; Google Search

Reference/s: allaboutbirds.org; ttnaturelink.com; YouTube

Flowers Floral Roses - Free image on Pixabay

Related

The Anhinga

The Blood Pheasant

The Crane

The Duck

The Eagle

The Flightless Birds

The Gulls

The Hoopoe

The Imperial Shag

The Jays

***GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPM are via Google Search (Right-click for original source)

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