10,000 Birds

JANUARY 22, 2015

A winding track through dense woodlands takes us to the Telia Lake in the southeast of the Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. Our guide explains that it was discovered by tiger cubs and taken off to play with, hence the claw and tooth marks. All of a sudden, in a hushed voice he says one word only: “Tigers!”

Tigers 256

Tigers India Killing 2012 256

10,000 Birds

JUNE 9, 2022

An Ashy Drongo apparently spends approximately 71% of its time scanning (what non-scientists would probably call looking around), 9% eating (less than a typical Chinese human but much more than me), calling 7%, flying 7%, and 6% preening. In Singapore, a Tiger Shrike was observed casting a pellet after eating a large scarab beetle.

Singapore 147

Singapore Birds Mountain Goats Giraffes 147

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 10, 2022

It seems the ones I got decent photos of are all juveniles – it generally seems to be easier to get photos of juveniles as they have not quite learned to avoid humans. Thank god that this does not apply to humans. Sometimes being a member of the human race feels very embarrassing.

Birds 220

Birds China Eggs Owls 220

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

The adults presumably have already learned that humans are not usually good news even if not named Donald Trump. The White-shouldered Starling is not very common in Shanghai or even in China in general, despite its species name sinensis. Despite claims to the contrary, the Tiger Shrike was not named after a German tank.

Birds 130

Birds Tigers Humane Ecuador 130

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 31, 2023

The third shrike seen in Shanghai this month was the Tiger Shrike. Fortunately – as this is China, not the US – there is no “Three shrikes and you are out” rule here (and if this is not the worst joke you have ever heard, then your life really sucks). You figure it out yourself.

Birds 130

Birds China Taiwan Raised 130