10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2022

The Buff-necked Woodpecker (Taman Negara, Malaysia) is classified as Near Threatened, with the usual rationale of “habitat loss” (which sounds nicer than “evil humans destroying anything that does not immediately bring in money). With jokes like that, Great Spotted Woodpeckers rarely are successful in stand-up comedy.

Woodpeckers 264

Woodpeckers South Africa China Singapore 264

Critter News

DECEMBER 9, 2008

In the West, it is required by law to stun the animals with a shot to the head before the slaughter, supposedly to render the animal unconscious and to prevent it from reviving before it is killed so as not to slow down the movement of the processing line. Hazim at the School of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover University in Germany.

Slaughter 100

Slaughter Slaughtered Humane Germany 100

Animal Ethics

JANUARY 30, 2012

In 2002 the German Parliament amended Article 26 of the Basic Law to give nonhuman animals the right to be “respected as fellow creatures” and to be protected from “avoidable pain.” But a change in the common law (which Germany does not have) may be the most likely of all. What is the common law? Salem and Andrew N.

Rights 40

Rights For Animals Legislation Laws 40

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 6, 2019

As I mentioned last week, my wife, son, and daughter-in-law spent much of the month of October in Europe. Visiting the continent after the end of most of the autumn migration meant that the number of bird species I could see in northern France, Switzerland, southern Germany, and Austria was much reduced.

Austria 182

Austria Switzerland Europe Geese 182

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2023

In somewhat dubious English, the abstract of one paper on this species by Chinese authors states that “ Pycnonotus sinens has got used to the city life and become a kind of city bird that are closely associated with human” (of course, my Chinese – spoken only anyway – is far worse than this English).

Birds 130

Birds Iraq China Ireland 130

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 29, 2024

Particularly the latter – Nabang – would in the past easily have merited its own post, but recent developments there that now make the place a bit like the former border between West and East Germany changed that. Of course, the same applies to pizza services for humans. But not to bees. Reluctantly back to birds.

Squirrels 204

Squirrels Birds China Bears 204