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From Russia With Birds: The World’s Biggest Owl, “Zombie” Pigeons

10,000 Birds

Today’s post includes two such stories, brought all the way to you from Russia. In the hardcore “news” department, scientists from the United States and Russia have managed a successful study of the foraging and nesting habits of Blakiston’s Fish Owl , the largest owl on the planet and one of the rarest.

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Blakiston’s Fish Owl on Hokkaido

10,000 Birds

When Jonathan Slaght did his research on Blakiston’s Fish Owl in Russia’s Far East – which he describes in his excellent book “Owls of the Eastern Ice” – he had to cope not only with extreme cold but also with rather bad music: “Katkov filled our commutes with loud music. How ironic.

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Russia Bans Canadian Seal Imports!

Critter News

But I'm not exactly sure why RUSSIA would ban them. Apparently, some claim about 90 percent of Canadian sales are to Russia. Russia does have its own seal hunt, but apparently they banned killings of animals under one year old. Russia has been the biggest market for the Canadian seal fur industry. Great news!

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Horrible Hybrids

10,000 Birds

Where it had spent the summer is anyone’s guess, but the majority of the Pochard that winter in the UK come from Eastern Europe and Russia, with birds ringed in Latvia being particularly numerous. No prizes for guessing this is a Canada Goose x Greylag Not that geese have to be members of the same genus to hybridise.

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Ending 2021 with the Steller’s Sea Eagle

10,000 Birds

If you are plugged into the birding community, you’ve probably seen photos of this errant eagle, normally found in Russia and Asia but now be-bopping around the United States and Canada. It’s a giant, striking raptor, with a bright bill and distinct white wing stripes.

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Seal Slaughter Stopped by Russia. Canada? Not So Much.

Critter News

Maybe Canada can learn something from the former KGB agent and avid hunter about compassion. The ministry said: “This is a serious step forward to protect Russia’s biological diversity. Kudos for Russian leader Vladimir Putin for stopping the slaughter of seals.

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What is the State Bird of Alaska?

10,000 Birds

The Willow Ptarmigan, which is the most numerous, can also be found in Russia, Finland, Scandinavia, and Canada. Of these , 24% spend part of the year in Canada, while another 18% spend part of the year in the United States. The Willow Ptarmigan was officially designated in 1960, when Alaska entered the union.

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