Did you know that the "four calling birds" in the 12 Days of Christmas carol was originally "four colly-birds", which is an archaic name for blackbirds?
"Colly" was another word for coal, referencing the the birds' jet-black feathers. The festive bird in the photo below is a Brewer's Blackbird, a common sight throughout the year in the Okanagan and Simlkameen! Our office is now closed until Jan 2. We hope you all have wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year!
(Original blackbird photo by Wolfgang Wander)