Word of the Week: Before the Birdman of Alcatraz, the island was known for its birds

The origin story of Alcatraz's name is a complicated mix of language, a history that dates back to the first Europeans to explore the coast of California, and, a flock of seabirds.

May 7, 2025 - 11:47
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Word of the Week: Before the Birdman of Alcatraz, the island was known for its birds
A seagull flies over Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary on Alcatraz Island July 2, 2003 in the San Francisco Bay, California.

The origin story of Alcatraz's name is a complicated mix of language, a history that dates back to the first Europeans to explore the coast of California, and, a flock of seabirds.

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan)