article thumbnail

Homage to Catalonia

10,000 Birds

On the opposite bank, European pond terrapins are basking in the sun and, behind them, a herd of horses is grazing, preventing the scrub from taking over the grasslands. A pair of these eagles breed nearby, but this bird shows no wish to reappear and show itself better. Steve answers: Bonelli’s Eagle !

Terrapins 197
article thumbnail

Catalonian Spring

10,000 Birds

On the opposite bank, European pond terrapins are basking in the sun and, behind them, a herd of horses is grazing, preventing the scrub from taking over the grasslands. A pair of these eagles breed nearby, but this bird shows no wish to reappear and show itself better. Steve answers: Bonelli’s Eagle !

Spain 234
article thumbnail

Come@Me: Don’t Mourn for Extinct Birds

10,000 Birds

The causes were the usual reasons for island extinction—deforestation by both humans and invasive plants that crowded out native plants, hunting, and invasive rats, mongoose, monkeys, and, of course, feral cats. Horses bolted. Children screamed and ran for home. Women gathered their long skirts and hurried for the shelter of stores.

Mauritius 103