In today's wholesome news you didn't know you needed, Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones star Sean Bean has reacted to have a cuckoo bird named after him. The star, more recently seen as the villainous Sheriff of Nottingham in MGM+'s series Robin Hood, hosts a ornithology podcast called Get Birding and has recently been celebrated by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) with a special recognition.
A birdwatcher and nature lover, Bean has had one of the BTO's satellite-tagged cuckoos named Bean in his honour. As Bean the cuckoo heads off on its annual migration, Bean the actor has commented on having the "intrepid" bird named after him.
"To have a cuckoo named after me is a real privilege," the star said.
Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 – including Disney+, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV
"I've followed the adventures of birds in my garden and local woodlands for years, but now I'll be watching closely as the intrepid Bean heads off on an incredible adventure across the globe."
Bean and his cuckoo pal's migration from the UK to Africa can be followed as part of the BTO's Cuckoo Tracking Project, allowing birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts to check on the birds' journey in real time through a dedicated website.
What to Read Next
Launched in 2011, the project uses lightweight satellite tags fitted to breeding male cuckoos so that scientists can follow each bird's annual migration.
"Birds are the source of incredible stories, and it doesn't get more dramatic than the cuckoo's migration journey flying thousands of miles across continents," said Jane Gerber, co-founder and creative director of Peanut & Crumb, and executive producer of Bean's podcast Get Birding.
Related: Sean Bean's "outstanding" British thriller has just landed on Netflix
"Naming one after Sean is a brilliant way to celebrate his passion for birdwatching and to inspire even more people to discover more about the birds around them. Go Bean!"
"We are delighted Sean Bean has chosen to get involved with our cuckoo tracking project as we are big fans of the Get Birding podcast," added BTO director of engagement, Dr Ieuan Evans.
"We share the same mission of making birdwatching more accessible, so this is a match made in heaven. Cuckoo Bean and the other tagged cuckoos are contributing to our growing knowledge of cuckoo ecology that will help us secure the future of these fascinating birds. Through this collaboration we are extending the project's reach so more people can join us on this journey."
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Living Legends, celebrating the global phenomenon of BTS, is here! Buy this ultimate fan guide in newsagents or online.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
