What's a "hmuh"?

The Telephone Room is all aflutter, with birds alighting on every surface. In honor of Elise Richman's avian themed show, For the Birds, we've put together a brief list of bird facts. Twelve interesting tidbits about our feathered friends, one fact for each day left in the month -- twelve days remaining to come see For the Birds!

The sparrow-sized Elf Owl, only 5 to 6 inches long, found in southwestern deserts, is the smallest owl in the world.

The average canary has about 2,200 feathers.

At 40 pounds or more, the Trumpeter Swan is North America's heaviest bird.

The average robin lives to be about twelve.

Harris's Hawks often hunt cooperatively.

Only six inches long, the Least Auklet is the world's tiniest Auk.

The topknot that quails have is called a hmuh.

The bones of a pigeon weigh less than its feathers.

There are more Bald Eagles in the province of British Columbia than there are in the whole United States.

A group of larks is called an exaltation.

Big Ben was slowed five minutes one day when a passing group of starlings decided to take a rest on the minute hand of the clock.

A group of ravens is called a murder.

A group of owls is called a parliament.

For the Birds by Elise Richman is on view at the Telephone Room Gallery from January 8 - 31, 2010. Viewable by appointment almost anytime -- email us at thetelephoneroom@gmail.com.

"For the Birds" by Elise Richman

The Telephone Room gallery proudly presents For the Birds by Elise Richman in January 2010.

"For the Birds involves intimate portraits of birds that act as surrogates and guardians, emotional personifications that simultaneously expose and protect. Each amiable yet awkward bird expresses a yearning for a state of wonder and receptiveness that is perpetually lost and sometimes regained. Their very postures and round forms convey a striving for openness and good will as they open, spread and lift their wings in gestures both hopeful and helpless." ---Elise Richman

Elise Richman, For the Birds, 2010. Installation at the Telephone Room Gallery, Tacoma, Washington.

For the Birds by Elise Richmand is on view at the Telephone Room Gallery from January 8 - 31, 2010. Viewable by appointment almost anytime -- email us at thetelephoneroom@gmail.com for an appointment.

For the Birds

Birds! Sculptures, drawings, paintings of birds! Standing, sitting, almost flying birds! Friendly, amiable, round birds!

For the Birds is a show about hope, humor and feathers -- lots of feathers. They adorn and identify, making each bird special, providing characteristics that express character.

It's a flock of sorts, composed of birds who do their best to be who they are while trying to become something more.


Elise Richman in her studio with "Billy".

For the Birds by Elise Richman is on view at the Telephone Room Gallery from January 8 - 31, 2010. Viewable by appointment almost anytime -- email us at thetelephoneroom@gmail.com.