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Birding Shanghai in February 2023

10,000 Birds

It is mostly a question of economics – raising just one is troublesome enough given the resources required to feed and educate the chick. While mainly an Asian bird, the Red-flanked Bluetail has recently been seen in parts of Europe (particularly Finland and Scotland) more frequently, indicating a possible range extension ( source ).

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Birding Shanghai in November 2022

10,000 Birds

In contrast, the females need to make sure not to get duped into raising actual cuckoos – the buntings are a targeted host species ( source ). On the other hand, in the West, mice, and rats are also kept as pets, maybe with the same logic. Maybe there is some justice in this world after all.

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