10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2021

He found some solace when, at age eleven, he became entranced with birds – specifically, with a Green Woodpecker — and that sighting, he says, “took me to another, safer world.” . More Birds Than Bullets: My Life With Birds is his account of the centrality of birds in all of these endeavors, and in his life.

Fox 171

Fox Kuwait Bosnia Afghanistan 171

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2023

February 2023 was a slow month for birding in Shanghai, at least for me – so slow that I almost put the Spotted Dove , possibly my least favorite bird here, on the cover. Not a cover species The Black Kite is not actually black, but of course, misleading bird names are not exactly rare. Maybe those should be protected too?

Birds 130

Birds Iraq China Ireland 130

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 17, 2015

I was going to have something for you this month about the dinosaur-bird thing, but I never got to it. The potpourri covers some interesting bird related science of the last few weeks, and the promise is this: I’ll get to that other stuff soon, I promise! So, here we go… Fighting in Iraq has been affecting starlings.

Science 151

Science Iraq Research Birds 151

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 7, 2014

It took me a while to wrap my mind around the concept of Birds and People , Mark Cocker and David Tipling’s book that, in 592 pages, explores the intersection of just that—birds and us. Nor have I overlooked “sightings” of birds in movies mouthing other birds’ calls. I’m not sure why.

Birds 204

Birds Egypt Family Eagles 204

Animal Person

NOVEMBER 21, 2010

In the majority of cases, it is humans who are to blame for the plunging numbers of animals, and Corwin is very clear about the extent to which we have destroyed the world around us. Consider this: Every month, it takes $12 billion to fund America's involvement in the Iraq War.

Polar Bears 100

Polar Bears California Condor Bald Eagle Lions 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 9, 2014

During the decades that preceded the Iraq war there were two schools of view on how to deal with that country and its troublesome leader. Regular readers of this site might be able to think of a much discussed example, that of birding on National Wildlife Refuges versus hunting. Particularly extractive versus non extractive use.

Rhinos 166

Rhinos Hunting New Zealand Science 166

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 4, 2013

The way things should be is a very powerful motivating factor in human lives. The Iraq War was a demonstration of the most dangerous and beguiling aspect of the should – the belief that what should be is so obvious that a nudge will make it so. A hungry child should be fed. And embattled minority should be protected.

Tigers 169

Tigers Hunting Game Protection 169