Elf on the Shelf Goes to the Birds!

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‘Tis the season for fun holiday traditions as excitement builds for Christmas Day. For many youngsters (and very creative parents), Elf on the Shelf is a highlight of fun and mischief during the holidays, as these whimsical figures find themselves in crazier and crazier situations.

Holiday Mantle - Photo by ProFlowers — *Holiday Mantle – Photo by ProFlowers*

Can Elf on the Shelf Include Birds?

The best fun of Elf on the Shelf is that these characters can get into any scene, situation, or circumstance. In a bird-friendly home, there are many ideas that can provide another fun option for elf shenanigans and encourage birding fun at the same time. How about posing the elf…

Elf on the Shelf - Photo by Mark Baylor — *Elf on the Shelf – Photo by Mark Baylor*

Reading a birding field guide.
Watching out a window with binoculars.
Working to build a pine cone bird feeder.
Buried in a pile of sunflower seed.
Scrubbing a hummingbird feeder.
Writing out a yard list of birds seen.

Each of these scenes can incorporate bird-related activities and encourage responsible backyard birding care at any age, adding fun to the season without forgetting the birds.

Fun Bird Variations of Elf on the Shelf

Of course, the crazier the season gets, the more memes, jokes, and puns there are featuring Elf on the Shelf. Among the best are the “get ready for” or “do you know” variations. How much fun can you have sending these quips to birding friends?

You’ve heard of Elf on the Shelf, but how about…

Goose on a Moose (must be a Canadian goose!)
Owl on a Towel (for bird rehabilitators and wildlife rescues!)
Quail on a Rail (I’ve seen them sit there for hours…)
Puffin on a Muffin (for birdy bakers!)
Loon on a Moon (though I don’t think they can fly that far!)
Rook on a Hook (a great garden perch)
Duck on a Puck (for the hockey fans out there)
Cockatiel on a glockenspiel (for music lovers!)
Robin on a Toboggan (seasonal fun in the snow!)
Finch on a Winch (when the snow gets too deep, perhaps)
Partridge on a Cartridge (gaming or shotgun, your choice…)
Grouse on a House (great place to perch)
Shrike on a Bike (these tenacious birds will perch anywhere…)
Pelican on a Skeleton (as Christmas starts around Halloween these days)
Pheasant on a Present (Merry Christmas to everyone!)
Tit on a Sh… (Well, I’ll let you figure that one out! Maybe coprolite perches?)

What other fun bird variations can you come up with? Share your creative “Bird on a…” tongue twisters in the comments, and the best will be added to our list!