10,000 Birds

JULY 5, 2022

An estimated one billion birds collide with glass each year in the United States* and most of them die; window collisions are considered the second highest cause of death of birds after cats (putting aside the big overall causes, like habitat loss and climate change).* And I don’t think that will be many people. Did the model work?

New York City 254

New York City Birds Illinois Science 254

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2024

The Hawaiian Crows face much more destructive threats–extreme loss of habitat; malaria, the scourge of so many Hawaiian species; predators–rodents, cats and the ‘Io, the Hawaiian Hawk. This is the most intense, tragic section.

California Condor 178

California Condor Falcons California Birds 178

10,000 Birds

JUNE 13, 2022

Quite likely, these birds are also the inspiration for Australian science communicator Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki. According to the HBW entry for this species, it “has been claimed that loss of native mammals after European settlement created shortage of nesting material, explaining this species’ penchant for taking hair from humans.”

Australia 195

Australia Birds Feral Cats Kangaroos 195

10,000 Birds

JUNE 26, 2018

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. Is it any wonder that Pink Pigeons were on the brink of extinction when humans intervened? Horses bolted.

Mauritius 102

Mauritius Stud Zoos Eggs 102

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 16, 2013

Case in point: some of my family members have become active with feral cat colony organizations. It started with donation requests for spay and neutering cats but then quickly transferred to a trap, neuter and release organization. On the one hand, it’s better than doing nothing with a feral cat colony.

Feral Cats 181

Feral Cats Feral Cats Family 181