10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 6, 2022

They may be about bird eggs ( The Most Perfect Thing: The Inside (and Outside) of a Bird’s Egg , 2016), or a 17th-century ornithologist ( Virtuoso by Nature: The Scientific Worlds of Francis Willughby, 2016), or How Bullfinches learn songs from humans ( The Wisdom of Birds: An Illustrated History of Ornithology.

Dissection 209

Dissection Birds Research Europe 209

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2017

Laysan albatrosses are ocean-dwelling seabirds who have 6-foot wingspans, weigh 7-8 pounds, occasionally sleep while flying, and rarely land except to raise their chicks. The oldest Laysan albatross was last seen raising a chick on Midway Atoll in 2016, at age 66. But what about the horrific deaths of the birds?

Albatross 214

Albatross Honolulu Hawaii Killing 214

10,000 Birds

MAY 3, 2022

I’m not sure why all the birds scattered at its approach, Frigatebirds are known for stealing the catch of other birds, not for killing elegant, cinnamon-chested Avocets, but scatter they did and only a couple of hundred came back down. And all amidst many leaves and many branches in fading light.

Houston 201

Houston Texas Sanctuary Sparrows 201

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2023

From Hiro, we learn how Northern Pygmy Owls are “rule breakers,” not incubating eggs till all are hatched and then raising owlets that mature at the same rate even though the eggs were laid asynchronously (as most owl eggs are). They are also hunted. Jennifer Ackerman is one of my favorite bird authors.

Owls 200

Owls Science Barn Owls Penguins 200

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 8, 2022

Since 2016, the Rustic Bunting has been listed as Vulnerable, as data suggested rapid population declines (HBW). In contrast, the females need to make sure not to get duped into raising actual cuckoos – the buntings are a targeted host species ( source ). led its listing as Vulnerable. Better safe than sorry.

Birds 197

Birds Eggs Bangladesh China 197