10,000 Birds

JANUARY 24, 2022

It is now almost exactly two years that I last was outside of China. At some point, my stock of memories of birds seen outside of China will be used up, I am afraid. While I write this, the vessel is on a trip from Shekou, China to Callao, Peru, presumably to pick up some ore, most likely copper ore.

South Africa 236

South Africa Africa China Seals 236

10,000 Birds

MARCH 31, 2022

While I am still not so sure about China’s sense of humor – though admittedly, the issue is mostly a mismatch between what I think is funny and what the average Chinese thinks is funny, an issue that I have had in other countries as well – the country sure has its fair share of Laughingthrushes.

San Diego 238

San Diego Malaysia China Zoos 238

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 29, 2022

When I was a kid (and don’t you hate it when blog posts start like this, with the author apparently just assuming that you care about how he spent his childhood), the first pets we had were a pair of Budgerigars. ” Funny how the difficulty of breeding a species can be illustrated in simple monetary terms.

Birds 147

Birds Australia Sheep Zebras 147

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2022

Similar to the (fortunately now gradually changing) situation among humans in China, these birds seem to prefer males over females. If you live in Australia, do not even think of getting this bird as a pet, as “99.99% of these Galahs sold in Australian markets are trapped from the wild” (source).

Birds 147

Birds Australia Parrots Memphis 147

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 10, 2022

China is developing very fast, and Shanghai is developing even faster. The Olive-backed Pipit is a small songbird that in Shanghai can only be seen in winter – in summer, it breeds further north. The Red-flanked Bluetail is only in Shanghai in winter, as it breeds far further North – even further than Beijing.

Birds 162

Birds Fish Germany China 162

10,000 Birds

APRIL 4, 2022

.” This should make the bird somewhat unpopular with the socially rather conservative Chinese government – maybe the birds in China do not show this behavior in order to adapt to local customs? On the other hand, given China’s low birth rate, they might serve as an example for the future.

Birds 240

Birds China Pythons Breeding 240

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2023

A paper starts as follows: “Dongtan (or East Tideland) on Chongming Island in China is an important wintering site of Grus monacha ( hooded crane )” This is exactly where these photos were taken. The global population of the Hooded Crane is about 8000 individuals – it is listed as Vulnerable.

Birds 147

Birds Geese Fish Industry 147