You are browsing the archives of hockey.

Folks unfamiliar with Detroit’s NHL team can be forgiven for thinking that the organization is named for the Red-winged Blackbird. After all, Agelaius phoeniceus is ubiquitous throughout most of North America, absolutely beautiful with males plumed in pitch black set off by epaulets of striking scarlet, and last but not least, belligerent, as anyone who’s [...]

The intersection of ornithology and North American professional sports is nowhere more prominent than in the National Football League, where no fewer than five teams sport bird names. If you like Ravens, Eagles, Falcons, Cardinals, and, of course, Seahawks, the NFL is the place for you. The sport that comes closest to that level of [...]