10,000 Birds

MARCH 6, 2018

Scientists were largely limited to studies birds in breeding colonies, at least those we knew about and that were accessible (and, if you think that’s a complete list, you haven’t read the news that came out this week about a new colony of Adélie penguins found in the Danger Islands, Antarctica). Technology to the rescue!

Albatross 114

Albatross Penguins Research Breeding 114

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 14, 2015

The species was in the news because some scientists had finally managed (or bothered – it’s much the same thing) to locate the population high in the mountains of the Solomon Islands, and catch and photograph one. If you want to know why most scientists support collecting this piece in Science explains it better than I can.

Collecting 225

Collecting Solomon Islands New Zealand Fiji 225

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2012

More than 150 bird species are known to have become extinct over the past 500 years, and many more are estimated to have been driven to extinction before they became known to science. Habitat destruction, hunting and disturbance are further factors affecting the population.

Endangered Species 194

Endangered Species Species South Africa Morocco 194

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 17, 2013

Many, many things happened in the area of bird science this year, so this review can not be comprehensive. But I’ve compiled a sampling of this year’s news and events for your edification. Or, at least, mass die-offs were less often featured in the news. But there was this one in Australia.

Science 190

Science 2013 Elephants Birds 190

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 29, 2024

” Blue-bearded Bee-eaters seem to have a pretty clever hunting strategy. Which sounds like a species name taken from a science fiction novel for children. They provoke honeybee colonies, which then fly out and attack the bird. The bees pursue the bird until it settles down somewhere, try to sting it, and get eaten ( source ).

Squirrels 139

Squirrels Birds China Bears 139