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Peterson Reference Guide to Owls of North America and the Caribbean: A Book Review by a Lover of Parliaments

10,000 Birds

Here are some things I’ve learned from the Peterson Reference Guide to Owls of North America and the Caribbean by Scott Weidensaul: The Burrowing Owl is the only North American owl species where the male is larger than the female, albeit, only slightly larger. And the term is ‘non-reversed size dimorphism.’).

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The most important book about European birds in this century

10,000 Birds

The adventure of the second European Breeding Bird Atlas, or EBBA2, was the topic of one of my first posts here at 10,000 Birds: In a warm Catalonian March, Barcelona is filled with sunlight and full of Rose-ringed and Monk Parakeets. In a very short time, we get two responses, two birds calling from opposite directions.

Europe 263
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15 Australian Birds (Episode 2)

10,000 Birds

Quite likely, these birds are also the inspiration for Australian science communicator Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki. Their name refers to their habit of eating nectar and pollen, though most of them also eat insects and/or fruit. The name Miner is not actually a reference to the mining of minerals or coal, which are of limited use to birds.

Australia 186
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What Is An Ornithologist?

10,000 Birds

In one document, I was referred to as a “self-taught ornithologist.” Another challenge to bird research is that it is woefully underfunded and relies heavily on citizen science. As the company has been introducing me to the rest of the staff and clients, a description of my talents caught my attention.

Arkansas 185
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How to Know the Birds: The Art and Adventure of Birding – A Book Review

10,000 Birds

But, sometimes an appreciation of birds and birding requires more than a reference book with images of birds and facts about their identifying field marks. I’m not sure if “the Ugly” refers to the cormorant itself or human reaction (catfish farmers are officially allowed to shoot the birds). “Get a field guide!”

Birds 114
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Birding Nanhui, Shanghai in November 2021

10,000 Birds

Apparently (Wikipedia), the name “ vanellus ” is Latin for “little fan”, vanellus being the diminutive of vannus (“winnowing fan” a reference to the sound lapwings’ wings make in flight. Can’t say I heard this though. Great Cormorants are also very good at just loafing around.

Birds 223
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What the Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds: A Book Review

10,000 Birds

Jennifer Ackerman points out in the introduction to What the Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds , that we don’t know much, but that very soon we may know a lot more. What the Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds is a joyous, fascinating read.

Owls 199