10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2014

Some were taken of birds and mammals in zoos or aviaries, others were taken in the wild, often in remote places. There is the flightless Atitlán Giant Grebe of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, whose habitat was destroyed by a combination of human incursion and earthquake, but whose DNA lives on in hybrids that fly.

Animal 268

Animal Mammals Hawaii Dolphins 268

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2023

It’s also about human-owl interaction on an individual level and a wider sociocultural level, and ultimately how we can use all this for habitat and bird conservation. As the names and habitats imply, not all owl species are alike, in behavior, adaptation, relationship to humans, and in how humans perceive them.

Owls 213

Owls Science Barn Owls Penguins 213

4 The Love Of Animals

MARCH 17, 2011

Dogs are able to detect diseases such as cancer and diabetes and warn humans of impending heart attacks and strokes. In many ways, human emotions are the gifts of our animal ancestors. Donna Fernandes, president of the Buffalo Zoo, witnessed a wake for a female gorilla, Babs, who had died of cancer at Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo.

Emotional 100

Emotional Animal Whales Whaling 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 25, 2022

Gisela Kaplan has written a book about the species, and how they seem unperturbed by humans: “It’s one of their most successful defense strategies. It seems that quite a few zoos keep Tawny Frogmouths. They just sit and pretend not to be there to avoid interaction.” I guess in a way it is quite patronizing to have that attitude.

Birds 230

Birds Australia Ducks Mountain Goats 230

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 6, 2019

Birds and Booze News: Night Lizard Brewery in Santa Barbara, California is making news with its commitment to environmental activism, as related in this article in the Antioch University Odyssey. Three out of five feathers (Good).

2017 114

2017 Spain California Condor California 114

10,000 Birds

JUNE 26, 2018

Pink Pigeons were featured on episode four of the second season of The Zoo , the excellent television series about The Bronx Zoo,* and their story was disturbing. Meanwhile, on The Zoo, the keepers have been creating an environment for Thelma and Louise so they can nurture the hoped-for egg from The Stud and Serendipity.

Mauritius 102

Mauritius Stud Zoos Eggs 102

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 1, 2020

At the same time, reading When Birds Are Near: Dispatches From Contemporary Writers , edited by Susan Fox Rogers, set me wondering about viewers’ reactions, especially New Yorkers who have never seen an owl outside of a zoo or a picture book. But–is that it? The two stories about New York City are personal favorites, of course.

New York City 188

New York City Birds Owls Fox 188

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

This is in addition to the many articles and exhibits and even film devoted to the bird, one of the few species whose death was witnessed and noted down to the exact day, Tuesday, September 1, 1914 (though there is some question about the exact time). We have a lot of source material. It’s an effective introduction.

2014 160

2014 Killing Michigan Kentucky 160

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2019

For some reason, even though there are Mandarin Ducks in zoos throughout New York City, this escapee has become an internationally known tourist attraction, even heading the New York Times list of “Five Times the Internet Was Actually Fun in 2018.” In September, Abigail Ruth, a small human, was born and I became a grandmother.

2018 157

2018 New Jersey Michigan North Dakota 157

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

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.

Penguins 200

Penguins New Zealand South Africa Albatross 200