10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2020

This is a delightful book, large (8-1/2 by 11 inches), filled with Sibley’s distinctive artwork and an organized potpourri of research-based stories about the science behind bird’s lives. This was a pleasant surprise if only because I’m so used to the more technical views presented in his field guides.

2020 262

2020 Birds Groups North America 262

10,000 Birds

JUNE 24, 2021

One Oriental Pratincole of them was courageously raising its wings when I unknowingly drove towards its eggs – I reversed, but I am not so sure about the next person using that road … Being yelled at by the chick of an Oriental Pratincole. In contrast, the Common Terns present look much more elegant.

Birds 205

Birds Uganda Breeding Rats 205

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

It turns out that there are new things that can be learned about extinct birds, and that even if the conclusion is obvious–the bird is gone, there is no time machine and we can’t change that–the way in which it is presented can differ as well. “Winter Sports in Northern Louisiana: Shooting Wild Pigeons.”

2014 159

2014 Killing Michigan Kentucky 159

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 25, 2011

Between staying warm/cool, finding food, avoiding predators, migrating thousands of miles every year, finding mates, raising chicks and doing all this at the mercy of the elements, it makes sense that they have more brainpower than just simple instinct to run on. I believe in science. Science, for many years, has done no better.

Emotional 198

Emotional Science Birds Mammals 198

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2011

Eventually, I found the lone whooping crane present at the refuge by its call. My friend Vickie Henderson , who has some serious long-range vision, looked at the science behind Tennessee’s crane hunting proposal and found it badly wanting. I knew I’d never heard that before. Here’s the petition. Nobody needs to eat them.

2011 239

2011 Hunting Kentucky Hunters 239

10,000 Birds

MAY 19, 2011

Way back when I started what turned out to be my thesis research (on humans), it became important for me to learn about bird migration. I was involved in the study of human movement and navigation on land, and there was a lot of research coming out about bird navigation. Another question this raises has to do with migration itself.

Research 187

Research Humane Compassion New York 187

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. 2014), presents an authoritative framework for our understanding of and future work on bird phylogeny. So do parrots, some songbirds, humans, and a few other mammals.

Family 279

Family Parrots Birds 2014 279

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 191

Penguins New Zealand South Africa Albatross 191