We held a contest to name our pair of birds that live on the Orchard Combat Training Center south of Boise. Read more about HH and KA on the “OCTC pair” tab on our curlew profiles page.
This year we asked schools that participated in our “Curlews in the Classroom” program to come up with name ideas. Check out their creative ideas below.
After a Facebook vote, our winning names were Zeus and Athena! Way to go Middleton Middle School :)
Names for HH
Ginger–from Gilligan’s Island! (Marsing Elementary Kindergarteners)
Hoppin’ Heather–because her leg flag is HH and Heather Hayes is the Curlews in the Classroom project leader and a member of the Curlew Crew field team. (Liberty Elementary)
Katherine–named after famous Idahoan Katherine Albertson (Liberty Elementary)
Athena–The Goddess of Wisdom, War, and Craftsmanship. (Middleton Middle School 7th graders)
Rose–Signifies beauty, elegance, favor, grace, and kindness. (Middleton Middle School 7th graders)
Denise–named after their teacher. (Trail Wind Elementary School)
Bella–after the Twilight movies (Shadow Butte Elementary 3rd grade)
Valentina–because it is a Mexican name and curlews spend most of their time in Mexico (Andrea, Andrea, JJ and Alex from the Parma Learning Center after school program)
Frost–Frost is a good female name because the females leave Idaho first before the frost. When females are on the nest, they freeze when predators come close. (Homedale Middle School)
Star— The star garnet is the state gem of Idaho. (Homedale Middle School)
Fluffy–because 4th graders like cute names, and curlews have fluffy feathers! (Trail Wind Elementary 4th grade)
Elica–We’re not sure why? (Sage International Kindergarten)
Chopstick–because curlews have long beaks! (Sage International 6th grade)
Cherry–Because Emmett is known for their Cherry Festival (Kenneth J. Carberry Elementary School 4th graders)
Girlie-girl–because, Kindergarten :) (Kenneth J. Carberry Elementary School Kindergarteners)
Names for KA
Professor–from Gilligan’s Island! (Marsing Elementary Kindergarteners)
Shorty–because he has the shortest beak ever measured of all the IBO curlews (Liberty Elementary)
Albert–after famous Idahoan Joe Albertson (plus KA are his wife’s initials). (Liberty Elementary)
Austin Powers–Both names together mean “very handsome”. Separately, Austin stands for “majestic dignity”, while Powers implies is a “force measured by how much work has been done”. (Middleton Middle School 7th graders)
Zeus–Highest of all the Gods Zeus was the “Ruler of the Heavens”. In the sky, Zeus wielded thunder and rain to protect humankind from the other Gods. (Middleton Middle School 7th graders)
Butterball–we’re not exactly sure why? (Trail Wind Elementary School)
Edward— after the Twilight movies (Shadow Butte Elementary 3rd grade)
Tapatio–because it is a tasty Mexican hotsauce and curlews spend most of their time in Mexico (Andrea, Andrea, JJ and Alex from the Parma Learning Center after school program)
Yoda–Yoda in the movies is like a male Curlew because when help is needed, he comes to assist. The force is with him. (Homedale Middle School)
Disco–because male curlews do a fancy dance to attract a female. (Homedale Middle School)
Zoomer–because male curlews race back to their breeding grounds to get there first. (Trail Wind Elementary 4th grade)
Saber–perhaps because of their long bills? (Sage International Kindergarten)
Gandalf–because curlews are magical (like the wizard from Lord of the Rings). (Sage International 6th grade)
Zippy— curlews fly fast! (Kenneth J. Carberry Elementary School Kindergarteners)
Rocky–after the Rocky Mountains (Adams Elementary)