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Looking for a national bird - does the bulbul fit the bill? By Eli Ashkenazi Many countries have a national flower, bird or animal, and some places have certain districts that glory in their own representative plants or animals. Choosing a national animal is part of the culture of nature-loving nations and a tool to generate local identification. It is also a way to raise the issue of environmentalism and animal protection. Some think the time has come for Israel to have a national bird to call its own. Amir Balaban, director of the Jerusalem Bird Observatory, suggests that the Israeli public should be a partner in locating a bird that will represent the country and be identified with it. Balaban has already chosen the bird he thinks is worthy of the title: the bulbul, a songbird that is common in Israel. Advertisement "There are a few candidates," said Balaban. "The bulbul is prevalent both in open areas and in urban areas. It's true, the house sparrow is also prevalent, but it's not found in open areas and it's not sufficiently 'festive.'" The Palestine sunbird, a small songbird known in Hebrew as tzufit, was almost crowned the national bird, but its English name kept it out of the running. Dan Alon, director of the Israel Ornithology Center, part of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, said the red-footed falcon is also a candidate. "Almost every country has a national bird," said Alon. "But it's meaningful only if you do something with it. In the United States, that means that every child sits and learns about the bird. It has to be a stimulus for a broad educational program." Alon said he and several others have suggested to the Environment Ministry that a national bird and flower be chosen as part of Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations in 2008. After some hesitation, Alon showed his cards: He too supports the bulbul. Balaban said the characteristics of the chosen bird should reflect that of the nation it represents. "The bulbul has such characteristics," he said, citing long-term relationships and an emphasis on family. "It also has characteristics that generate identification and empathy: its song is boisterous, happy and jovial." However, Balaban admitted to some disadvantages in his chosen bird. "Some will say that it makes a lot of noise but doesn't have a great voice. They'll also say against it that it's very common, 'simple.' It's also a bit of an opportunist, slipshod, steals nesting material and takes pride in it. In short, it doesn't like getting screwed." Then there's another difficulty: "It's true that there's a problem with the name, which has become a nickname for the male sexual organ," said Balaban. But that's not enough to deter Balaban. "In calculating all the characteristics," he said, the bulbul "is a fitting candidate." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Stronger than its ills The 60th anniversary celebrations are accompanied by a bad taste. Rise in racism Israeli Arabs say institutionalized racism has increased.   1.   Israel Doesn`t Need A "National Bird" 11:49  |  Yishai Kohen 01/03/07   2.   National Bird 12:22  |  Chaim 01/03/07   3.   How about a hawk? 14:06  |  Abby 01/03/07   4.   We have a bird, it is the dove. Dove = Peace 15:15  |  Steven 01/03/07   5.   Chaim (2) you 100% correct 15:20  |  Steven 01/03/07   6.   Abby your Lebanon is the Hawk 15:23  |  Steven 01/03/07   7.   Context 16:10  |  Ilana 01/03/07   8.   Palestine sunbird 17:32  |  Steve 01/03/07   9.   The Owel, Naturally 19:50  |  Herb Simmons 01/03/07   10.   The Palestinian Bulbul 19:51  |  Horst Vogel 01/03/07   11.   Yishai kohen 20:26  |  Danite 01/03/07   12.   Danite does it turn you on to hate other jews? 20:59  |  Steven 01/03/07   13.   Dove for New Beginnings 21:05  |  Rox 01/03/07   14.   Steven LOL 21:11  |  Danite 01/03/07   15.   Bulbul 21:21  |  Avi Yerushalmi 01/03/07   16.   israel`s national bird 22:44  |  tom 01/03/07   17.   THE DOVE IS THE NATIONAL BIRD OF ISRAEL , YOU FORGOT ? 02:29  |  MOSHE 02/03/07   18.   Tzufit for Israel`s National Bird 13:26  |  Nicholas Dunne-Lynch 11/12/07   19.   Tzufit for national bird 21:04  |  Nicholas Dunne-Lynch 09/05/08

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