10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 8, 2022

Acariformes: Syringophilidae) from the Chestnut-eared Bunting (Passeriformes: Emberizidae) in Japan (morphology and DNA barcode data)” Ah, to be a scientist. In contrast, the females need to make sure not to get duped into raising actual cuckoos – the buntings are a targeted host species ( source ). Better safe than sorry.

Birds 216

Birds Eggs Bangladesh China 216

10,000 Birds

MAY 25, 2023

While having somebody else raise your chicks like an attractive strategy to me, it is not without dangers. A paper reports on how a female Common Cuckoo was mobbed and killed by Oriental Reed Warbler hosts. The photos of the dead cuckoo published in the paper would not look out of place in a horror movie for a cuckoo audience.

Birds 130

Birds Raised Cattle Mammals 130

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2023

From Hiro, we learn how Northern Pygmy Owls are “rule breakers,” not incubating eggs till all are hatched and then raising owlets that mature at the same rate even though the eggs were laid asynchronously (as most owl eggs are). They are also hunted.

Owls 220

Owls Science Barn Owls Penguins 220