10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2022

I saw two Pitta species at Hongbenghe, both among the slightly less glamourous among the pitta family: The Blue-naped Pitta … … and the closely related Rusty-naped Pitta. The Blue Whistling Thrush is presumably named for its loud human-like whistling, and possibly for being blue.

Birds 147

Birds Myanmar China Chicago 147

4 The Love Of Animals

SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

But, pets also become bona fide family members with which we establish genuine relationships—incomparable emotional bonds that can have extraordinarily positive physical and psychological impacts on humans. Studies have also found that: Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.

Pets 100

Pets Emotional Dogs Cats 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Forget lions, tigers, and bears – if Internet listicles are to be believed, all of Oz is full of crocodiles, sharks, jellyfish, snakes, spiders – even magpies – that are dead set on killing, maiming, or injuring any humans they encounter. One of these killers even has the word “death” in its name, for crying out loud.

2019 222

2019 Australia Ducks Fowl 222

10,000 Birds

MARCH 27, 2020

I didn’t know the set up required for a black bear, or how high a Florida panther can actually jump. I come from a family where the worse the situation, the faster and more furiously the wisecracks fly, so I suppose I’m hardwired to look for humor. But I only rehabbed birds, so I had to do research and call my mammal rehabber friends.

Wildlife Rehabilitation 254

Wildlife Rehabilitation Bald Eagle Eagles Wildlife 254

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 7, 2016

It was Los Angeles, after all, where mileage has no bearing on time, but where time was precious for my little rescue on this crystal morning. I’d been volunteering at rescues through my young adulthood, and I was training as a cat socializer, teaching terrified felines — the unlucky victims of cruel people — to trust humans again.

Cats 211

Cats Stray Cat Stray Wildlife Rehabilitation 211

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2014

Not, as Linneaus thought, an ostrich, nor even, as later scientists concluded, a distant cousin of pigeons deserving of family rank, it was an honest-to-goodness pigeon, deeply embedded within the family Columbidae. The Dodo ( Raphus cucullatus ) — that towering icon of modern anthropogenic extinctions — was a pigeon.

Solomon Islands 275

Solomon Islands Guinea Mauritius Humane 275

Animal Ethics

FEBRUARY 15, 2009

If some microorganisms must be killed in the process, this is unfortunate but necessary for human life. Why should microorganisms be sacrificed rather than humans? Why is human life more valued than the life of microorganisms? One might be inclined to say that human beings are more valuable because of their intelligence.

Morals 40

Morals Vegetarian Meat Killing 40