10,000 Birds

MAY 14, 2014

But today, briefly, let’s recall that I am supposed to be the New Zealand beat writer. I’m pleased to do this because two bits of the puzzle of New Zealand’s faunal history were in the news today, and besides, it means I don’t have to think about some tropical idyll in this miserable Antipodean winter day.

New Zealand 161

New Zealand Penguins Sea Lions Lions 161

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2014

They know where New Zealand is, have heard of Emeral Ash Borers and are aware who is wreaking havoc on island sea bird colonies and elsewhere. This is where the fact that German birders are humans comes into play (and they sure aren’t the only ones ). Birding Birds Germany Invasive Species Week South America'

Germany 238

Germany Birds 2000 South America 238

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 20, 2014

So do parrots, some songbirds, humans, and a few other mammals. Humans don’t share merely a similar capacity for vocal learning with hummingbirds, we share share similar brain machinery , and that brain machinery is regulated by similar genes , genes not shared by hummingbirds’ closest relatives, nor by ours.

Family 279

Family Parrots Birds 2014 279