Animal Person

MARCH 18, 2009

The New York Times presents us, this morning, with "Equine Alternative" regarding the recent discovery that horses decided to allow themselves be domesticated by humans for our mutual benefit, earlier than we had thought (3500 BC, and we preciously thought it was more like 2500 BC). The Botai did not just herd horses for meat.

Experience 100

Experience Experiments Horses Transported 100

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 10, 2022

For this reason, the species is evaluated as Vulnerable.” The Rufous-tailed Robin used to be called Swinhoe’s Robin but apparently, somebody decided that there were already too many bird species (6, according to the HBW) named after him. The Latin species name, however, is still elegans. And it is still justified.

Birds 204

Birds China Eggs Owls 204

10,000 Birds

JUNE 29, 2013

Being technically outside the summer tourism season, one can enjoy the somewhat less expensive travel and hotel costs, less crowded venues, great weather and nearly endless daylight—and of course many birds migrating and beginning the breeding/nesting season! I can hardly begin to describe the surreal experience that unfolded before me.

Iceland 194

Iceland Puffins Europe Birds 194

10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2012

There’s a little hint of white in the malar and throat too, which would seem to be a problem for the species Black- chinned Sparrow. As the old saying goes, “when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras” This is not an easy bird, but it is expected. New Jersey mystery sparrow.

New Jersey 230

New Jersey North Carolina Sparrows Connecticut 230

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 26, 2015

I think I was 19 when I made my first bucket list of things I’d like to do, from horse-back riding to sailing, rafting, caving, climbing… all sort of things Willie Garvin was good at (minus the knife throwing). Somewhere at the very back of the list was birdwatching. Why at the back? What more would I ask from eBird?

Serbia 189

Serbia Bosnia Research Lions 189

10,000 Birds

JUNE 26, 2018

Basically, this species is so dimwitted, it doesn’t know how to survive. Because, Pink Pigeons are not capable of doing the tasks required to create and bring up children of the species. Don’t these birds care about propagating their species? Horses bolted. What happened to Thelma and Louise? I know, that’s harsh.

Mauritius 102

Mauritius Stud Zoos Eggs 102

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2016

Now, if you quickly call to mind the pattern of Asian species reaching Europe as vagrants, you will remember that most are from Siberia. Well, of course I don’t know, but it seems quite plausible that the “white wagtails” are amongst the species/forms most underidentified in Europe. Why is that so?

Germany 100

Germany Sharks Morocco Europe 100