10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 17, 2015

The potpourri covers some interesting bird related science of the last few weeks, and the promise is this: I’ll get to that other stuff soon, I promise! So, here we go… Fighting in Iraq has been affecting starlings. Researchers are wondering if the die-off might spread to other birds or even fish.

Science 151

Science Iraq Research Birds 151

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 7, 2014

Jonathan Elphick and John Fanshawe provided “specialist research” and support.” He describes lark mirrors and other contraptions that were used to entice the birds into traps in detail, and cites the few documented numbers of larks sold in market in the early 19 th century (826, 462 in the Paris market in 1832).

Birds 204

Birds Egypt Family Eagles 204

10,000 Birds

JULY 3, 2018

government (Johnson had worked in Iraq for USAID, where he learned about his friends and colleagues problems first-hand). This is also where Johnson starts talking about the cost of the theft to the Museum and to science. The skins were invaluable tools for ornithological, ecological, environmental research. Mostly adult males.

Collecting 102

Collecting Iraq Ostriches Science 102