10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2018

Humans have always classified organisms in a variety of ways, depending on need. There are important details within that dictum that we will ignore here, but this has to do with knowing when a characteristic doesn’t really tell you about the relative position of species on a “tree of life” vs when the characteristic works for that purpose.

Monkeys 142

Monkeys Gorillas Whales Whaling 142

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 19, 2014

Whales are cows. So, for example, humans are apes. The point is, of course, that whales are not cows. Whales emerge from within the larger group of mammals that includes cattle, deer, pigs, camels, with camels being the most deeply rooted. You should have said whales. Even though whales are cows.

Camels 202

Camels Whales Whaling Apes 202

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 23, 2013

Birds are less compelling to human interest than our fellow primates, in many regards, but surely they are more arresting than a big wad of tentacled whale chow. Birds are less compelling to human interest than our fellow primates, in many regards, but surely they are more arresting than a big wad of tentacled whale chow.

Apes 161

Apes Birds Woodpeckers Primates 161