10,000 Birds

AUGUST 9, 2018

According to a Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study, human-induced climate change has doubled the area affected by forest fires in the western U.S. Some animals are injured and killed by wildfires. A fire might kill weak birds or, depending on the time of year, claim nestlings. over the last 30 years.

Wildlife 102

Wildlife Sacramento Shelters Science 102

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 17, 2014

But the tenets of the North American Model were developed in the 19th century, when wildlife ethics and science were a mere glimmer of what we understand today. ” This leads to obvious conflicts with the NAMWC prohibition against the frivolous killing and waste of wildlife.

Wildlife 234

Wildlife Coyotes Hunters Wolves 234

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2022

These two islands are about halfway between the tip of South Africa and Antarctica in the Subantarctic Indian Ocean, have had relatively few human visitors, and are primarily inhabited with some of the rarest seabirds in the world and a smaller number of mammals. Which makes it a haven for seabirds….and and seabirders.

South Africa 262

South Africa Mice Albatross Africa 262

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2023

Jennifer Ackerman points out in the introduction to What the Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds , that we don’t know much, but that very soon we may know a lot more. What the Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds is a joyous, fascinating read.

Owls 203

Owls Science Barn Owls Penguins 203

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 21, 2018

Here are a few other things regular readers of this site may be familiar with: The bird science journal “The Condor,” the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley, the concept of “niche,” and the system for making field observations of species known as the “Grinnell System.” Not in the Mohave Desert.

2018 101

2018 Science Humane Species 101

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Fortunately for the honor of the species, the researchers found that kleptoparasitism was practiced at a low rate (4% of observations) while much more often, drongos captured insects disturbed by other species (41% of observations). I am sure one could make a very boring movie based on the events described in this paper.

Sri Lanka 205

Sri Lanka Birds Taiwan Cats 205

Animal Person

JUNE 8, 2009

For those who didn't read the five-part Slate series " Pepper, the stolen dog who changed American science " by Daniel Engber , I recommend it for the history, but also for the misconceptions and assumptions that you might want to discuss on the Facebook discussion about the series. It "guarantees humane treatment?" Maybe on paper.

Animal Welfare 100

Animal Welfare Monkeys Animal Welfare Act Vivisection 100

Animal Person

MARCH 17, 2009

Environmentalists recognize the meat industry as extremely ecodestructive – including fish, dairy, eggs, feed crops with their massive use of water & topsoil and toxic runoff killing rivers and oceans, and the killing of billions of free-living animals to protect farmed animals and feed crops.

Meat Industry 100

Meat Industry Industry Meat Responsible Policies 100

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

As I frequently mention, science is quite wonderful. For example, this paper points out that migrating Bramblings prefer to feed in a habitat in which they are less likely to get killed. A paper illustrating the tradeoff between starving and being killed compared the weight of resident siskins with or without a sparrowhawk nearby.

Birds 147

Birds China Killing Reptiles 147

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 15, 2013

The single greatest challenge facing any book of science writing is balance. Otherwise, there would be no science writing, everyone would just go straight to the journals. ” or “What about…?” Nothing keeps a human reader more engaged than a genuine character, and the birds here are exactly that.

Humane 140

Humane Emotional Stray Dog Science 140

10,000 Birds

JULY 25, 2022

“A reading of recent research shows that Australian birds are more likely than most to eat sweet foods, live in complex societies, lead long lives, attack other birds, and be intelligent and loud.” If I was so inclined, I might think that they deserve to be killed by Pied Currawongs for their sinful behavior.

Birds 220

Birds Australia Ducks Mountain Goats 220

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

We immediately get a sense of the pigeons’ abundance, beauty, and danger to human activity. She portrays humans merged with Passenger Pigeons; the images are then framed to look like 19th century calling cards. This bit of science is a nice final counterpoint to an account that has emphasized art, history, and literature.

2014 159

2014 Killing Michigan Kentucky 159

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 14, 2015

What wasn’t publicised at the time, but the scientist later both admitted and owned, is that the kingfisher was then killed and collected for scientific reasons. If you want to know why most scientists support collecting this piece in Science explains it better than I can. Featured image Drawer of Eriocnemis study skins.

Collecting 216

Collecting Solomon Islands New Zealand Fiji 216

Critter News

JULY 7, 2009

This particular animal research controversy is occurring in New South Wales (Australia). Welfare groups are calling for an urgent public debate on animal testing amid claims millions of creatures are being killed or maimed every year in Australia in the name of science. From the online Sydney Morning Herald.

Medical Research 100

Medical Research Animal Research Medical Animal 100

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

March 14, 2011 Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Jon Gassett, Commissioner One Sportsman’s Lane Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 Dear Mr. Gassett, I am a writer, naturalist and artist with a special interest in human/bird interactions. Kills in Canada, Alaska and Mexico are not included in the count.

2011 241

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 241

10,000 Birds

JUNE 26, 2018

The causes were the usual reasons for island extinction—deforestation by both humans and invasive plants that crowded out native plants, hunting, and invasive rats, mongoose, monkeys, and, of course, feral cats. Is it any wonder that Pink Pigeons were on the brink of extinction when humans intervened? I know, that’s harsh.

Mauritius 101

Mauritius Stud Zoos Eggs 101

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 20, 2014

The magnificent history and diversity of birds on Earth came into sharper focus this month with the publication of 28 new scientific papers in Science and other journals. So do parrots, some songbirds, humans, and a few other mammals. American Flamingo photo by Dick Culbert). (l-r) Jarvis et al. Columbea: Doves to Flamingos.

Family 279

Family Parrots Birds 2014 279

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2024

For Daurian Redstarts, university campuses can also be crime scenes – one recent paper reports on a Daurian Redstart fledgling being attacked and killed by a magpie on the grounds of Hebei Normal University despite attempts by the female parent to defend the chick. Some ornithological research is surprisingly simple.

Birds 183

Birds Research Science Europe 183

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 28, 2015

Without further ado, here are our Best Birds of the Year for 2015… Jochen makes us all jealous with a bird that most of us would kill to see. “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.

2015 182

2015 Costa Rica Birds Sparrows 182

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

None fly, most are curious and social, which probably contributes to our cultural perception of penguins as one step away from human. Science and Conservation , the second section, presents two-page summaries of the diverse research being done around the world about penguins. Some are cute, some are dignified (and royal!).

Penguins 193

Penguins New Zealand South Africa Albatross 193

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 8, 2022

Given the complexity of the research, the result feels like a bit of a letdown – “northern populations start migration earlier than southern populations, especially in autumn” The species name of the Chestnut-eared Bunting is fucata , from the Latin “fucare”, to paint red.

Birds 200

Birds Eggs Bangladesh China 200