10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

It’s all about the improbable intersection of human beings and Emperor Penguins, and if I can’t make it to an Emperor Penguin colony (highly unlikely), reading this book has been the next best thing. It’s part memoir, part travelogue, part scientific narrative, part prologue to making an argument for Antarctic conservation.

Penguins 160

Penguins Seals Leopards Research 160

Animal Person

JUNE 8, 2009

For those who didn't read the five-part Slate series " Pepper, the stolen dog who changed American science " by Daniel Engber , I recommend it for the history, but also for the misconceptions and assumptions that you might want to discuss on the Facebook discussion about the series. It "guarantees humane treatment?" Maybe on paper.

Animal Welfare 100

Animal Welfare Monkeys Animal Welfare Act Vivisection 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 22, 2023

The broader Balangshan area has three different parts – the low elevation of nearby Wolongshan, the higher part of the road across the mountain that is referred to as the tunnel area among birders, and the actual Balangshan pass, which reaches an altitude of 4500 meters or so. ” Full iteration!

Birds 130

Birds China Science Research 130

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2020

This is a delightful book, large (8-1/2 by 11 inches), filled with Sibley’s distinctive artwork and an organized potpourri of research-based stories about the science behind bird’s lives. Most importantly, this section provides an entry point to the major Portfolio of Birds section; each fact is followed by a page reference.

2020 264

2020 Birds Groups North America 264

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Both bushtit species occasionally are supported by helpers when breeding ( source ). As I frequently mention, science is quite wonderful. Contrary to my usual habit, I will not try to transfer this finding into the human world as I am too afraid of being accused of fat-shaming.

Birds 147

Birds China Killing Reptiles 147

10,000 Birds

JULY 25, 2022

Gisela Kaplan has written a book about the species, and how they seem unperturbed by humans: “It’s one of their most successful defense strategies. When these birds breed, this can lead to highly cringeworthy announcements, for example from Adelaide Zoo : “We have egg-citing news! ” ( source ).

Birds 234

Birds Australia Ducks Mountain Goats 234

10,000 Birds

MAY 15, 2023

I visited Tengchong in late 2020 and wrote about it – but I also went there earlier, in 2017, and this post shows some photos I took during that trip, along with the usual comments that seem to be much more about ridiculing my fellow humans (especially ornithologists and the like) than providing useful information on birds.

China 186

China 2017 Birds Indonesia 186

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

We immediately get a sense of the pigeons’ abundance, beauty, and danger to human activity. She portrays humans merged with Passenger Pigeons; the images are then framed to look like 19th century calling cards. This bit of science is a nice final counterpoint to an account that has emphasized art, history, and literature.

2014 160

2014 Killing Michigan Kentucky 160

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2012

And much of that time is spend loafing around the breeding colonies trying to pair off and engaging in silly-looking behaviours referred to as dancing by scientists. The sooty albatrosses ( Phoebetria ) and the mollymawks ( Thalassarche ) tend to breed in tighter colonies and have more restrained courtship behaviour.

Albatross 212

Albatross Raised Breeding Rights 212

10,000 Birds

MAY 19, 2011

Way back when I started what turned out to be my thesis research (on humans), it became important for me to learn about bird migration. I was involved in the study of human movement and navigation on land, and there was a lot of research coming out about bird navigation. Itcher birds, migratory members of the tern family. Image source.

Research 196

Research Humane Compassion New York 196

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

None fly, most are curious and social, which probably contributes to our cultural perception of penguins as one step away from human. This is not your ordinary reference book, though it was cited as one of the best reference sources of 2014 by Library Journal. Some are cute, some are dignified (and royal!).

Penguins 203

Penguins New Zealand South Africa Albatross 203

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 8, 2022

Hopefully, the winter time in Shanghai gives the Black-faced Buntings some time to relax from the challenges of the breeding season. One Japanese study found that it arrives at its breeding grounds earlier than in the past, most likely due to increased spring temperatures. No wonder no species are named after me.

Birds 213

Birds Eggs Bangladesh China 213