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The Top 5 Avian Ambassadors of Costa Rica

10,000 Birds

If the avian realm had self-conscious, talking ambassadors, “spokebirds”, which species would partake in birding conferences? At the largest of conferences, logistical and cultural issues could be a real problem. Even if the birds could speak like humans, their instincts would still come into constant play.

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Bird Talk: An Exploration of Avian Communication–A Book Review

10,000 Birds

There was a time when I thought each bird species had its own individual song. Then I found out that there was this vocalization called a ‘call,’ so I thought each bird species had its own individual song (but just the males) and individual call. Bird communication is a complex and evolving science.

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Solid Air: Invisible Killer Saving Billions of Birds From Windows–A Book Review

10,000 Birds

In 2007 I was working in a university building that was just begging for bird feeders. This was where I set up my bird feeders, just one at first, then expanding as everyone expressed delight in seeing the Carolina Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Downy Woodpeckers. There were no dead birds for weeks. I hoped it was an anomaly.

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This is my dream – this is my nightmare

10,000 Birds

sq mi), which contradict the conservation significance of the bird it was founded for, some three decades ago – the Critically Endangered Great Indian Bustard. My guide, Chirag Solanki, told me he had once been searching here for five days, before he managed to locate the birds. Indeed, I say. And why are they parked?

Gazelles 261
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Vultures, Human Evolution, Global Warming, and Windmills

10,000 Birds

The topic was the concept of humans as predators, or hunters, or really, eaters of meat, and I was discussing the many ways in which people misconceived this notion. Any buffalo bones from prior to that transition were obviously scavenged.

Humane 165
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Stuck in the middle (of the AOU/COS meeting)

10,000 Birds

Handing out T-shirts at the registration desk with a summer intern from the Field Museum (one of the conference’s sponsoring groups) gave me a good feel for who was around and what ornithologists are like. Like most conferences, this one had an exhibit hall and poster session, too. Shout-out to Chicago Bird Collision Monitors !)

San Diego 182
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Flock to Marion

10,000 Birds

Hannah Buschert was first exposed to birds and birding during a required ornithology course at Oregon State University and she quickly caught the birding bug. This is Hannah’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds. This is Hannah’s first contribution to 10,000 Birds. I love to go on cruises.