Show Off Your Collection: Common vs. Rare Birds

For many years, Old World Christmas’ bird ornaments have always topped the favorite-ornament and best-seller lists. Everyone loves the birds, and we have so many fabulous bird ornaments in our collection, there is an ornament for the casual bird watcher to the obsessed bird aficionado. Because we have so many bird ornaments, we’ve grouped them into three categories: clip on bird ornaments, hanging bird ornaments and owls.

There is no end to the beauty and grace birds add to the world, and whether a bird is common or rare, we think they all deserve attention. We have too many bird ornaments to list them all, but we’re highlighting some of our favorite common and rare-bird ornaments. Rare birds are spectacular, and special to see, but common birds offer a regular rhythm to life and seasons. 

Common Birds

Though not rare, common birds cannot be disregarded as unimportant. If every bird we saw every day was fancy, we’d never get anything done. Old World Christmas applauds the pigeon as the first common, but hardworking, bird. Related to doves, pigeons tout 344 species, and can be found around the world. Chickens and roosters are another common bird, but still a favorite to many. Though roosters might be annoying early in the morning, their feathers and coloring give them an exotic look. Happy hens lay the eggs and there’s nothing boring about baby chicks. 

Small but sweet, the common sparrow can be found everywhere in the world. Though there are subtle differences, sparrows are small birds with open habitats living in grasslands, deserts and scrublands. Our mallard duck ornament, with his handsome green head, is a favorite among bird watchers and the sportsman alike. Canadian Geese with their loud, distinct call and v-shaped flying formation in the late fall, are a regular reminder of changing seasons. 

Though there are more, the last two common birds we love to highlight are the chickadee and woodpecker. Named for their distinctive “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” alarm call, it’s more common to hear their “fee-bee” call around town. Though fairly common, hopefully the woodpecker isn’t common pecking on your home. 

Though not technically a rare bird, the cheery, red cardinal is a special sighting. Cardinals represent many things to many people, and seeing a flash of red in the dreary dark winter days can be the light we need. The cardinal ornaments in our collection are always best sellers. Is there one on your Christmas tree?

Rare Birds

Though we might not consider a common bird special because they’re easier to spot, rare birds are spectacular, but hard to find in the wild. And photos never do them justice. For instance, the national, federally protected bald eagle. Easily recognizable, but not a bird that you’ll see up close. Even in flight, these incredible birds will soar high above and not get too close. An egret is a tall, slender bird with beautiful white plumage and a sharp, long, yellow beak perfect for plucking fish out of the water. They inhabit every continent, but avoid cold regions, arid deserts and high mountains. 

Two beautiful birds of prey, not commonly found in densely populated areas are the red-tailed hawk and the peregrine falcon. If you’re lucky, you might catch a flash of the reddish orange tail feathers of the hawk as it dives for it small-rodent prey. The darker, blue-grey peregrine falcon is known for it’s renowned speed, clocking over 200 mph during its hunting dive. It is considered the fasted bird in the world. 

Two much-loved rare birds living in opposite climates are the emperor penguin and the parrot. The emperor penguin is the tallest and heaviest species of penguins, but wear the same black and white tuxedo-like plumage similar to smaller species. Light-yellow feathers give them a splash of color matching their bright-yellow ear patches. Found on or much closer to the equator is the brightly colored parrot. These fabulous birds differ in colors and plumage, but provide a thrill when spotted. 

Whether you prefer the common bird to the rare or enjoy waiting to spot the very rare bird, Old World Christmas has you covered with both. Our bird Christmas ornaments are popular each year, and usually a few are on our best-seller list. Why not add a few to your tree this year! 

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Written by

Rachael Mitchell

Rachael Mitchell is a freelance writer based in Seattle, Washington, and has over 15 years of writing experience. She’d never be able to pick just one favorite ornament, but narrowed it down to the S’more and Tennis Ball. She always looks forward to s’mores in the summer with friends and family adding gourmet ingredients, and played 4 years of college tennis in the mid-west.

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