J.R.R. Tolkien discussion

My facebook acquaintances mostly do not appreciate that I name all my birds from Middle Earth -- either characters or, in the case, of my current bird, descriptive objects in middle Earth.

Yesterday I heard from a breeder that she will have some babies available this summer and put me on the wait list for a probable male (short of DNA sexing, cockatiels cannot be properly sexed in the first eight months of life). That is to say, we can think the bird is a male and the bird turns out female at maturity (hence the bird that flew away, Elendil, turned out female at maturity).

So I am now in search of a great middle earth name for the new bird.

The classic choices of Gandalf and Elrond do not really flow when paired with "Mithril" (who will be ten this summer; that is STILL young for a cockatiel; they live to about 40).

What do you think about the name Mithrandir for the new bird? If the bird turns out female, will it still sound nice.

Other name suggestions? Some Elvish ideas from Silmirillon perhaps?


The professor is such an influence on my own work and world building; how can I not want to honor his work with my beautiful feathered friends? I think middle earth names are great for cockatoos!

I think Mithrandir is fantastic :) If not what about Luthien perhaps in connection with the Silmarillion? Are you thinking of Elvish or something different?

Lucinda wrote: "I think Mithrandir is fantastic :) If not what about Luthien perhaps in connection with the Silmarillion? Are you thinking of Elvish or something different?"

i really like elvish. it matches cockatoos so very well, especially the cockatiel cockatoos. They are so light, graceful, and noble, especially when they fly (I keep my birds free flighted and caged only at bed time or when I am not home).

I like it that your birds are free-flighted---Lorien seems flighted to me but maybe not to you.

Mithrandir is a great name! What if you put a female ending on it if it ends up being female? Like Mithrandiel or Mithrandwin..might be too 'wordy' but something like that :)

great idea Michelle!

Thanks :D