10,000 Birds

JUNE 28, 2016

If we had been predators, their actions would have (hopefully) led us away from the nest, keeping their eggs and chicks safe. Next to it lay an egg, the baby inside fervently pecking and tapping until it too could break the shell and emerge onto the dunes. While not as adorable as chicks, I still love to see bird eggs!

Eggs 100

Eggs Long Beach Abandon Abandoning 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2015

Egg harvesting to sell as food was intensive then, with thousands taken annually from the breeding colonies in Chile. Egg collection for local consumption still continues at lower scale. The Andean Flamingo is now protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Photo: Marcio Cabral de Mora – Flickr).

Chile 155

Chile Endangered Species Eggs Argentina 155

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 8, 2015

Some pesticides killed pelicans directly, while DDT contamination led to thin-shelled eggs that broke under the weight of the parents. Pelicans are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Abandoned fishing line also threatens pelicans along with many marine animals. They had to be reintroduced to that state in 1968.

Pelicans 157

Pelicans North America Peru Fish 157

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 9, 2023

One paper describes them breeding in a human settlement in abandoned clay jars. Another advantage to ballistic food transport is that the fruit seeds are protected from damage when they are swallowed whole. Now pairs of hornbills feed outside this correspondent’s window”.

Rhinoceros 130

Rhinoceros Singapore Transported Hunting 130

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 19, 2012

Both Elk and songbirds have the same basic method of inseminating eggs, which is one of the steps in reproduction (but not by any means the first!), Songbirds grow the offspring internally for only a very short while, and then pop out an egg, which is then cared for over a significant period of time until it hatches.

Mammals 167

Mammals Eggs Abandon Abandoning 167

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 9, 2012

It’s often considered wasteful that so many nests are abandoned and left to degenerate, but my theory of one of the reasons for this behavior is related to predation. African Harrier-Hawks, snakes and other predators frequently raid weaver colonies to rob the nests of eggs and chicks.

Tanzania 230

Tanzania Buffalo Kenya Namibia 230