10,000 Birds

MAY 17, 2023

Most often encountered near to the village bearing the same name, this abundant grasshopper ultimately sprouts large wings and forms swarms which can decimate crops. In nature, nothing is without purpose; human intervention is what has turned a peaceful forest dweller into a demonic pest after all. Naturally, I had to investigate.

Trinidad 147

Trinidad Squirrels Investigation Bears 147

10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2011

Geophagy, the intentional consumption of soil by vertebrates, has long been documented in a number of bird and mammal species – including wide-spread use by humans – which consume soil to increase absorption of certain minerals not naturally occurring in the local diet. That’s right – birds eating clay.

Peru 254

Peru Parrots 2011 Research Center 254

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 7, 2014

In fact, the Dodo belonged to a clade (sometimes called Raphini) of 15 remarkable, bizarre, intriguing island-adapted pigeons, some of which are still alive today, but eight of which have been hacked from the tree of life, driven to extinction by humans. The painting above is by 17th-century Flemish artist Roelant Savery.

Solomon Islands 272

Solomon Islands Guinea Mauritius Humane 272