2010/01/19

The Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa) or Augenbrauenente

Once again I was amazed about the German name of an Australian bird species. After the Long billed corella last week who’s German name Nasenkakadu is translated Nose cockatoo, we have the Pacific Black Duck germanised into Augenbrauenente meaning Eyebrow duck. Generally the German names of many bird and animal species appear to be often quite imaginative but often misleading as well. Take the Pied Currawong/Dickschnabel-Würgerkrähe translated Thick billed strangling crow which is neither a crow nor do they choke their pray. Likewise misleadingly the Australian pelican/Brillenpelikan meaning Eyeglass pelican doesn’t need spectacles to improve its already extraordinary eyesight. And I don’t have to mention that cockatoos don’t have noses - the things in their face are actually called bills or beaks and our bird of the week the Pacific Black Duck has no eyebrows like Groucho Marx only pale facial stripes. But to be honest the English name is not that precise either because they don’t strike me as particular black. So here you go. 

 

Next week: The Australian Magpie or what to do on Australia day.