10,000 Birds

JULY 15, 2015

The history of Tembe Elephant Park in South Africa is a slightly unusual one. But it wasn’t founded to serve as a refuge for human refugees, but animal ones, specifically elephants. It was founded as a safe place for refugees from the Mozambique Civil War , which ran from 1977 to 1992.

South Africa 145

South Africa Elephants Africa Lions 145

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 29, 2014

” I’ll sometimes add “It’s in West Africa, I’ll be in South Africa. Aficionados of natural history writing should recognise the author as that of the Song of the Dodo , the popular science book about biogeography and conservation that to me rates as one the finest popular science books ever written.

Humane 161

Humane Animal Africa Ukraine 161

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 21, 2014

You probably have to go to a resturant in Botswana or South Africa to find Tigerfish on the menu. But, until recently this has not been confirmed by science. But on further inspection it turns out that there is a small dam (in South Africa, “dam” means “lake” formed by a dam) that I had not personally come across.

South Africa 201

South Africa Botswana Africa Fish 201

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 22, 2022

So, it sometimes comes to South Africa to relax and enjoy relative anonymity. Interestingly, the HBW gives different contact calls depending on the country in which the flycatcher lives: “Contact call a simple ‘zeet, zwayt’ (South Africa), ‘ti-twit tee-twit’ (Gabon), ‘zi’zk’zk’ (Tanzania).”

Zimbabwe 147

Zimbabwe Birds South Africa Benin 147

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. They are also hunted.

Owls 200

Owls Science Barn Owls Penguins 200

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 3, 2021

Bird communication is a complex and evolving science. Anyway, I’m happy the image is in the book, but sad that more isn’t said about its background and that the photographer is also the scientist who did his dissertation research on Pin-tailed Whydah parasitism of Common Waxbills in South Africa.

North America 278

North America Research Birds Groups 278

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 6, 2012

As Mattison says, “Frogs are unlikely to be mistaken for any other type of animal.” This exhibit has been making the rounds of science museums, and if comes to your area I highly recommend it, not just for kids. If you don’t live near a science museum, then read this chapter. And, they look like frogs.

Reptiles 182

Reptiles Madagascar Family New York City 182