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Some Germans have a bird – A short birding trip through the German language

10,000 Birds

So, they cleverly would hijack unpopular animals or people as placeholders for the devil and then swear to their heart’s delight. This model was very popular in Germany in the 1970s and 1980s and it was commonly called “Ente“ (duck) due to its round hood. An animal’s blood is referred to as Schweiss, which means sweat.

Germany 195
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Birding Longcanggou, Sichuan again (but maybe for the last time)

10,000 Birds

Shockingly, the Ashy-throated Parrotbill apparently is a species heavily hunted for bird fighting in Guizhou Province, China ( source ). If being hunted by evil humans was not enough, Ashy-throated Parrotbills are also hosts of the parasitic Common Cuckoo. Animal Class. Shame on the researchers. American Civil War? World War 1?

Eggs 174
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Germany’s Great Bustards and how to see them

10,000 Birds

I am not entirely sure whether most birders outside Germany know or realize that Germany still has a decent population of one of Europe’s most attractive and desired bird species: the Great Bustard Otis tarda. Now that I might have wetted your appetite, here’s where and how to find them in Germany: 1.

Germany 101
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Birding the Kruger Park (5): Pafuri area part 1

10,000 Birds

One study found that birds living in Botswana had elevated levels of lead in their bloodstreams during hunting season, presumably coming from lead bullets used on animals killed by hunters. I could immediately tell them it was an Egyptian Goose – an invasive species in Germany but not at Kruger. ” (HBW).

Elephants 147
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Birding Tongbiguan, Yunnan (part 1)

10,000 Birds

Particularly the latter – Nabang – would in the past easily have merited its own post, but recent developments there that now make the place a bit like the former border between West and East Germany changed that. ” Blue-bearded Bee-eaters seem to have a pretty clever hunting strategy. But not to bees.

Squirrels 141
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Birding Singapore

10,000 Birds

Lesser Whistling Ducks are “not threatened by hunting as they are not considered good to eat” ( Wikipedia ). Please keep that in mind if you ever think that Germany’s only contributions to the world are highways and world wars. Plus hopefully, you will be arrested for mistreating animals. Lucky ducks.

Singapore 235
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Birds and Us: A 12,000 Year History from Cave Art to Conservation–A Book Review

10,000 Birds

The book is chiefly about how people have conceptualized and studied birds, but there is an underlying theme, the changing ways in which our Western culture has viewed animals, nature and God. It’s a huge scope for a 338-page book. With Birkhead, you never know what’s going to come next.