10,000 Birds

JULY 18, 2012

Baby Spotted Dikkop Mervyn van Rooyen in South Africa experienced the wonder of a wee thick-knee in a way very few of us ever will. We raised this little fella to a young adult. But thick-knee babies are the cutest Charadriiforms you’d ever want to see.

Senegal 256

Senegal Cats South Africa Experience 256

10,000 Birds

JULY 21, 2022

While the species is listed as Least Concern, there are some papers suggesting it may not be as common as assumed, at least in South Africa. Studies on improving ostrich egg hatchability. Also, I learned that in the US , ostrich eggs are priced at $40-$75. . “ The diet includes seeds, nuts, and nectar.

Ostriches 147

Ostriches Parrots Birds Eggs 147

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 246

Owls Science Barn Owls Penguins 246

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 17, 2022

Superb Starlings avoid this when using helpers, much like rich people presumably reducing the stress of raising kids by hiring a couple of nannies. She also laid eggs in Melba Finch nests. But that is the environment they survive in, get grants, get professorships, etc. Red-billed Firefinch. Poor creatures.

South Africa 244

South Africa Africa Birds Cape Verde 244

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 8, 2022

In contrast, the females need to make sure not to get duped into raising actual cuckoos – the buntings are a targeted host species ( source ). Fortunately for the buntings, they seem to detect most cuckoo eggs smuggled in (75% in one study). Maybe there is some justice in this world after all. Better safe than sorry.

Birds 260

Birds Eggs Bangladesh China 260