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Avian influenza H5N2 in the Mississippi and Pacific Flyways

10,000 Birds

H5N2 is a bird influenza virus that is making news. This mainly affects domestic fowl, and in this sense is not a topic central to 10,000 Birds. But, wild birds are part of the story, and the virus itself has changed and has been known to make wild birds ill. Or, even, many of them.

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Valravn Wines: Sonoma County Old Wine Zinfandel (2015)

10,000 Birds

In our times, it seems foolish to be fearful of birds. But our ancestors weren’t always so lucky to appreciate birds the way we do. With enough imagination and superstition, some birds can be absolutely frightening – as the multitude of spooky fowl haunting the darkest corners of human culture throughout history will attest.

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Feed me or I’ll die, and possibly take you with me!

10,000 Birds

Years ago it was pointed out by somebody, probably Tinbergen or Lack or Wynn-Edwards or one of the other great bird-savvy ethologists of the day, that young Pelicans would blackmail their parents by biting their own wings, a very self defeating activity for a bird with a huge and powerful beak.

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The Domestic Turkey and the First Thanksgiving

10,000 Birds

Some time after the Spanish encounter with the Turkey, birds were brought back to Europe where they were raised and became an important source of food and fancy feathers. They became known as “Turkie Fowl” (spelling varies) because they were coming from the general direction of Turkey. This is where they got their name.

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Teal Lake Shiraz (2019)

10,000 Birds

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. Good birding and happy drinking! Teal Lake Shiraz (2019). Three out of five feathers (Good).

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The Famous Grouse: Smoky Black Blended Scotch Whisky

10,000 Birds

Whisky Month at Birds and Booze: This January, Birds and Booze at 10,000 Birds is setting its sights on whiskies all month long. This boldness isn’t restricted to exchanges with other grouse, either: in some locales, members of this circumpolar family are astonishingly foolhardy around humans.

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Trillium Brewing Company: Stumpy Duck American Pale Ale

10,000 Birds

I’ll be the first to admit the selection of ducks so far at Booze and Birds has been rather paltry. Stumpy Duck is part of Trillium’s Small Bird Series, a collection of lighter, lower-alcohol beers brewed for summer, with each can sparingly decorated with a different bird in miniature. Not exactly a small bird.

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