10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

Artists rendition of Inkayacu paracasensis There are 17 living species of penguins, which make up their own Linnean family (Spheniscidae), which is the only family in the order Sphenisciformes. You may think of penguins as cold-adapted and they are, but there are penguins living in temperate and tropical areas as well.

Penguins 188

Penguins Seals Peru Science 188

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2023

Jennifer Ackerman points out in the introduction to What the Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds , that we don’t know much, but that very soon we may know a lot more. What the Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds is a joyous, fascinating read.

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Owls Science Barn Owls Penguins 200

10,000 Birds

MAY 19, 2011

Birds, because they fly, don’t store fat without paying a huge cost, which might in turn make them more vulnerable to variations in both food supply and thermal stress than ground dwelling animals. A fascinating exception to this, of course, are penguins. Did birds repeatedly evolve migration because they can? 2 PIERSMA, T.,

Research 187

Research Humane Compassion New York 187

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

Last month woodpeckers, this month penguins. None fly, most are curious and social, which probably contributes to our cultural perception of penguins as one step away from human. They are software mascots, cartoon characters, animated film dancers, children’s book heroes, zoo celebrities, and documentary film stars.

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Penguins New Zealand South Africa Albatross 191