Katie Daily Style - Bird Documentary

Note: It helps if you imagine the following being narrated in a calm and soothing British accent. Also, I apologize to any actual ornithologists. And to David Attenborough, who’s far too dignified to stoop to these sorts of shenanigans.

Narrator: In part one of Unusual and Improbable Birds of North America, join David  Attenborough and his film crew as they travel deep into suburbia to explore the odd world of the Katiebirds.

David Attenborough: Katiebirds are easy to identify by their long, gangly legs and comical tuft of feathers atop their heads. One of the largest, and definitely strangest, of the Katiebirds is Katieopterus sequinus, commonly known as the “Sequin-loving Katiebird.” This species is known for its obsession with all things shiny.

Most commonly spotted by bird watchers in Sephora, Goodwill and used book stores, we were lucky enough to capture footage of the Sequin-loving Katiebird just outside her nest. Because this bird is rarely seen before noon, the following footage was captured at night.

Defying the common sense of most birds, the Sequin-loving Katiebird flies north for the winter. Here we see the bird in her still-tropical plumage shortly after migrating north. In the south, the many shades of green would have enabled the bird to blend seamlessly into the tree canopy to escape predators. In the north, the bird is rather more conspicuous and likely to be eaten by a mountain lion or large squirrel.

• Green dress – thrifted
• Green cocoon sweater – thrifted
• Gold belt – thrifted
• Green silk scarf  (#12)- thrifted
• Gold shoes – Naturalizer
• Gold and silver necklace – Anthropologie

Shortly after arriving north, the Katiebird goes through a molt and grows a plumage more suitable to her surroundings, with additional layers of feathers and a more muted palate (squirrels can’t see purple). She then begins to clear the snow away from the area where she plans to build her nest.

• Purple cardigan – Old Navy
• White tank top – thrifted
• Skinny jeans – Gap
• Grey jersey scarf (#13)- self-made
• Purple hat – Kohl’s
• Pewter “locket” – Grandma
• Boots – Trotters

Once the nest is ready, female Sequin-loving Katiebirds work to attract a mate by growing a bright, irridescent blume plumage at the top of their heads. Unlike most bird species in which the male uses flamboyant colors to attract females, male Sequin-loving Katiebirds are the drabber of the sexes and it’s up to the females to be the cute-looking ones.

At first, females try to look adorable.

If they are unsuccessful, the traditional mating pose is adopted. You may notice a similarity between the stance of the Katiebird and that of many flamingos. That’s because the Katiebird is totally copying flamingos.

• Navy blazer – Old Navy
• White shirt – thrifted
• Skinny jeans – Gap
• Can-can dancers silk scarf (#14)- thrifted
• Bronze shoes – Naturalizer
• Sequin beret – some store

Eventually a mate is found, and the Sequin-loving Katiebird and her new partner prepare to fly south again. The nest she created will contain no eggs, as the birds have just met each other and aren’t ready for the commitment of sharing a nest yet.

• Patchwork shirt – Le Chateau
• Black tank – Target
• Denim skirt – thrifted
• Gold and silver necklace – Anthropologie
• Blue silk scarf (#15)- thrifted
• Boots – Trotters

And so we watch as the Sequin-loving Katiebird prepares to leave. Due to the immense drag created by the bird’s long legs, take-off can be a bit awkward at first.

Almost got it.

There we go.

This has been David Attenborough. Join us next week as we atempt to observe the reclusive Millieurdis physica in her natural habitat outside a vegetarian bakery.

30 Days No Repeats Challenge Days 17-20

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