Happy New Year!
2023 has started off with a bit of a bang. The Dead Zoo has been given the go-ahead for the next phase of a major redevelopment project, and yesterday I signed an employment contract accepting the position of Keeper of Natural History at the National Museum of Ireland, so it looks like I have a busy few years ahead!
But that has nothing much to do with the mystery object, so here’s the specimen I have for you to identify:
It’s probably a bit on the easy side for anyone with an interest in ornithology, so if you know what this is, please keep your answer cryptic to give everyone else a chance. If not, I hope you enjoy the challenge!
Zygoma 
Is it a bird?
No 😉
Is Bill going to be crosser when he’s over a month or two old? Could be he’ll see red as an adult?
This is actually an adult of this species!
Will you be posting the answer on Twiter?
I’ll be posting the answer here and sharing it on Twitter
Quarter finalist of the WC darts 2023 (lost to the winner), on a cob.
Very good 😉
I wouldn’t want to make a gross error.
Oof, but you may have!
I’m pretty green at this. Unless it is a Northern American species?
Not North American and nothing green (although I should apologise for the poor lighting that does give it a bit of a green cast)
It’s a finch of sorts?
Not a finch of any sort!
Bugger.
And congratulations on your new appointment. Is Melissa with you in Ireland now, or still commuting?
Thanks Ravi – Melissa is here as well, which is fantastic!
I don’t know what species this is, but congratulations on your new role!
Thanks Rohan! And thanks also for the next mystery object – it’s a tricky one 😉
Hardly dare say this (and censor it if you like Paolo) but it’s a good job that Spooner didn’t name this one. Ooh, er missus!
Ooh, Matron!
Congratulations on your contract! Very good news!
As for the mystery bird – I’ll take a wild guess but I can’t decide on its size – is it a small or a medium?
Thanks Jennifer! I’d consider it quite a big small bird.
Haemorhous sp. female? Beak’s a bit pale for some.
Ooh, wrong continent…
I was afraid of that!
Then I think it’s an LBB. Technical term for Little Brown Bird. Well known among birders in the UK. Cousin to the LBJ, the Little Brown Jobbie (but not the Scottish version).