In birdwatching terms, a nemesis bird is one that you should have seen, but haven’t. To a ridiculous extent. For example, for many years my nemesis bird was the Green Kingfisher. Well, I have spent a lot of time, probably 8 months of my life, scattered over 4 years in Texas, in the range of the Green Kingfisher. They are not uncommon birds, nor particularly hard to see, and I was looking for them. A lot. And yet, I never found one. I finally saw one in Belize, and again in Nicaragua (which may not be the same subspecies, I don’t know, so there is a chance the Green Kingfisher is still my nemesis, but that is a depressing thought so we are just going to move on from that).
ANYWAY……
The bird collection at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences is a regionally focused collection with a smattering of international birds. One of these birds, the Hoopoe caught my attention the moment that I saw the study skin 14 years ago. Prior to that, I did not know they existed. I was smitten…and what is not to like about this amazing bird? D curved bill, long crest sometimes up and sometimes endearingly flattened against the bird’s head, orangey plumage with bold black and white, it is a real stunner. Over the years I used that Hoopoe specimen in many many collection tours, as it never fails to impress those unfamiliar with it. (oh, hey, what do you know, I wrote a post about it over here!)
Well, time passes by and we move to the Netherlands, where, guess what, the Hoopoe occurs (and the Dutch name for this bird is as sweet as its appearance: Hop)! Well…..used to occur, as it turns out. Sometimes occurs, rarely, during migration. So, I haven’t seen it here yet. In fact, I am not sure any have been seen in this country since I moved here. No matter, because anyway, this spring, I went to Poland. They occur, for sure, in Poland. I go out with my bird guide from Krakow and tell him I want to see a Hoopoe. No luck, says he, they don’t occur in that part of Poland except for rarely. Ok, fine. I see all kinds of other neat birds there, so that was cool. Plus I am not worried because we have a safari planned to Hoopoe territory in September: Tanzania.
I am sure to get a Hoopoe in Africa. They are everywhere, right? I am assured by folks who have been to Tanzania, and my bird guide. Yes, you will see Hoopoe, in fact they are common. I told our safari guide, an excellent birder himself, that I’d like to see a Hoopoe. I am sure you have guessed that we NEVER found one. I looked, and looked, and looked and no Hoopoe. I mean, I still saw majorly awesome birds of every color shape and size, so the trip was still excellent! However, I think it is now safe to say, the Hoopoe has become my new nemesis. I wonder where I will next not get to see it….. :)
Do you see me now? No? Hahahah!
