Google doodle celebrates Princess Sirindhorn bird
Google has celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first sighting of the Princess Sirindhorn bird with a specially designed doodle.
Netizens in Thailand yesterday saw the greenish bird-themed doodle come up when they opened the search engine, with more information about the species available at the click of the mouse.
According to Google’s description, the rare white-eyed river Martin, known in Thailand as the Princess Sirindhorn bird, named after HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, was first spotted here 50 years ago.
Google’s description goes on to say the white-eyed Martin is one of only two species of birds endemic to Thailand and there have been only three confirmed sightings since 1968, when it was first discovered. The government has produced a stamp and commemorative coin celebrating the bird.
For the past 38 years since 1980, no one has seen the species, raising fears that it has gone extinct.
The doodle is the fourth doodle that Google has designed for Thailand this year. The three others were for Children’s Day 2018 on January 13, Teachers’ Day 2018 on January 16 and the 108th birthday of the famous Thai singer Eua Sunthornsanan on January 21.