article thumbnail

Every sperm is sacred

10,000 Birds

… especially if you’re a lady bird in heat. Because unlike those of mammals, avian ova need penetration by multiple sperm in order to successfully develop into baby birds. Moreover, when supplies are short, female birds seem to be capable of “storing” sperm for maximum availability during the brief ovulation window.

Zebras 145
article thumbnail

Birding Shanghai in October 2022

10,000 Birds

Well, they mainly feed on birds, which may explain their low popularity. For the White-throated Rock Thrush , Wikipedia gives the slightly puzzling statement “The bird’s population is unknown, but is not increasing or declining.” Even if they look as charming as this Northern Boobook. Unfortunately, it is true though.

Birds 208
article thumbnail

Proposal for the National Bird of Australia

10,000 Birds

It turns out that Australia has no official national bird (but we do have an official gemstone), and this is exactly the type of issue that can unite the fractured nation. Not that there is anything wrong with robins, they are fine birds, even if I prefer Pied Wagtails. Is this really the nation that gave the world Monty Python?).

Australia 183