We’re excited to share that we are ready to host a naming contest for our newly-transmittered curlews this year! One of our goals in naming these birds is to help raise awareness for curlews in key areas and with important partners. This year, we’ve invited a number of schools and organizations to participate in the contest.
Male Naming Contest:
Read the list of proposed male curlew names below, and learn a little bit about why each group chose that particular name. Then head over to our Curlew Crew Facebook page to place your vote:
- Kevin: This name was chosen by Middleton Middle School because “known as a Saint in Dublin, Ireland, Kevin is gentle and handsome. Can be mean when needed, to protect their nest. Kevin can also be kind to others when not under attack.”
- Jupiter: This name was chosen by Middleton Middle School because Jupiter was the king of the Roman Gods. Romans saw Jupiter as equivalent to the Greek God Zeus. In Latin Jupiter means “father”.
- E.O. : This name was chosen by Idaho Bureau of Land Management staff, because E.O. Wilson is a famous biologist and naturalist who raises awareness for threatened species.
- Ace: This name was chosen by Idaho Bureau of Land Management staff, “in honor of the ACEC’s special status species in Idaho”
- Ghili: This name was chosen by Idaho Bureau of Land Management staff, because Ghili suits provide hunters with great camouflage skills, just like curlews have!
- Apollo: This name was chosen by Middleton Middle School because Apollo was the Greek and Roman God of Sunlight.
- Skip: This name was chosen by Idaho Bureau of Land Management staff, because a skip is the captain of a curling team (get it? curling?)
Female naming contest results are in!
First Place:
Hope–This name was chosen by Adams Elementary because their students hope for successful curlew nests, healthy chicks, and safe migration for our satellite tracked birds
Second Place:
Nova–This name was chosen by Middleton Middle School because Nova means ‘new bright star’
Third Place:
Liberty–This name was chosen by Liberty Elementary School, because Liberty means freedom
Runners-up:
- Pippi Longstocking: This name was chosen by Village Charter school, because curlews are a shorebird with very long legs
- Rachel Carson: This name was chosen by Idaho Bureau of Land Management staff, because Rachel Carson was a renowned author and biologist who raised awareness for many pressing conservation issues
- Button: This name was chosen by Idaho Bureau of Land Management staff because the button is the center of players’ focus and effort in the sport of curling (hah! get it?).
- Dora: This name was chosen by Middleton Middle School because Dora means “gift” in Greek, and because the TV character Dora is an explorer who is very good at problem solving. She is independent and loyal.