10,000 Birds

JUNE 11, 2011

Illegal capture for the wild animal trade is an obvious peril for such a charismatic species, but this big blue bird is also hunted both for its meat and feathers. Last but certainly not least, the macaw suffers along with the other species in its ecosystem from rampant habitat destruction and deforestation.

Protection 184

Protection Brazil Parrots Paraguay 184

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2019

And here in Europe, they are the real deal, an indigenous species and not domesticated animals gone wild. When I reached the levee earlier that morning, I met an elderly hunter from whom I learned that there was an ongoing duck and pheasant hunt, but no one was shooting from, nor towards the embankment, hence I should be safe there.

Serbia 243

Serbia Otters Boars Eagles 243

Critter News

SEPTEMBER 6, 2009

In a co-ordinated protest, members of the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) destroyed hundreds of traps and set free the birds inside. The hunting and selling of ortolans, which have suffered a Europe-wide decline of 40-50% in the last 40 years, has been illegal in France since 1999. From the Guardian.

France 100

France Endangered Species Protest Protesting 100

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2022

The Crested Serpent Eagle is another species bound to suffer from a naming error in perpetuity. One would think that for a species as common in Europe as the Grey-headed Woodpecker , the HBW would spend some effort to update the species entry. A worrying trend.

Birds 147

Birds Myanmar China Chicago 147

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 27, 2016

It’s the boar hunting season. The next morning is for the Kerkini Lake, one of the youngest national parks of Greece, protected only ten years ago, in 2006 and inhabited by 11 amphibian, 27 reptilian, 44 mammal and 312 bird species. One Grey-headed Woodpecker flies across the road – a promising start. Enough of the mountains.

Greece 249

Greece Woodpeckers Boars Eagles 249