Frazz by Jef Mallett for January 20, 2023

While the Unimpressive Poison Frog is still hopping around.

I like one of the other names Wikipedia reported for it: Log C__k. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivory-billed_woodpecker

The Superb Parrot’s habitat is pretty close to me.

It is possible that are still a few around in Cuba (documented 1987). More unlikely in SE U.S. swamps, last documented 1944. Recordings of vocalizations thought to be Ivories since then in both areas but no sightings..

I recently read that only 20% of suitable habitat in Cuba has been searched..

A tiny bit of good news – in November, a Black-naped Pheasant-pigeon was discovered on an island off of Papua New Guinea. It was the first reported sighting of this species since 1882.

…and the trees which the ivory-billed woodpecker nested were cut down to make….cases for Singer sewing machines.

What’s in a name?

And do you know what animal went extinct unrecently? The Tyrannosaurus rex! Which I think goes to show that Mother Nature doesn’t much care what names we humans assign to things.

Passenger Pigeons, Great Auks and Dodos are sadly gone due to humans.

If you want to read an amazing book check out The Good Lord Bird by James McBride

If you want something to become extinct, just make it a fad. Humans will take care of the rest.

Scientists have begun renaming creatures b/c their names might affect their self-concept: it’s no longer the MURDER hornet but rather northern giant hornet. This could be a whole new start for Mr. Hornet (or Ms. Hornet or……it might enjoy a kinder, gentler world.

And how do you explain the Dodo lasting so long before ITS extinction?

Supposedly called that because when one would land close enough you could see (and hear) it hammering and tossing chunks of wood about the size of a baseball, you’d say “Lord God!”, sort of the 18-1900’s version of “Godd*amn!”