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Caspian Gull: The continental gull

10,000 Birds

The world is still turning, the blog didn’t crash, no anonymous threats against my family on social media … I guess my small series on gulls may continue with part 2 of 3, which will focus on the Herring Gull ‘s second side-kick: Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans. This is lake Bukhtarma in far eastern Kazakhstan.

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What is Mexico’s National Bird?

10,000 Birds

In fact, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology , “The Golden Eagle is the most common official national animal in the world – it’s the emblem of Albania, Germany, Austria, Mexico, and Kazakhstan.” Crested Caracaras, though they often associate with vultures, are actually part of the falcon family.

Albania 101
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Of Snowflake Birds and the Cold War

10,000 Birds

My childhood in the 1970s and 1980s was of course shaped by family, friends, playmobil ( very popular in Germany back then), and school but also to a certain extend by the Cold War. Yes, in the face of all the human tragedy the Cold War caused it may seem a miniscule aspect, but to a young boy who was passionate about birds, it wasn’t.

Europe 100
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The Hidden Qualities of House Sparrows

10,000 Birds

To us on the traditional side of the Atlantic, they’ll always belong to the family Iznogoudae , the birds who want to become warblers instead of the warblers. A male probable member of the indicus group (foreground) and a male domesticus House Sparrow in western Kazakhstan. And do they ever try so hard.

Sparrows 210
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Polygynandry and avian swingers

10,000 Birds

Nice. ((** all names have been changed to protect identities and have been substituted with (almost) randomly chosen substitutes suitable for a family of Alpine Accentors.)) Dale Forbes Mar 16th, 2011 at 8:37 am Hi Laurent, that is a fascinating example of humans responding to difficult environmental challenges.

2011 205
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Best Bird of the Year for 2015

10,000 Birds

“Spooked” is a bit of a strong word as I was very likely the first human this bird had ever seen and it stuck around for quite a while merely five metres away from me. My Best Bird of the Year isn’t that spectacular … just my lifer Violet-chinned Hummingbird at my husband’s family’s house in CO.

2015 182