10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 23, 2015

The newest find of this extremely scarce bird was a male, and was “collected” (an innocent-sounding euphemism for “killed”) for the American Museum of Natural History. How it raised its chicks? And is the amount of knowledge gained anywhere near the amount of knowledge lost by the deliberate killing of this bird?

Collecting 240

Collecting Wildlife Rehabilitation Solomon Islands Texas 240

10,000 Birds

JUNE 14, 2011

I have never been one to advocate the needless killing of animals for whatever purpose. Consider the following quote, &# Falconry involves the use of birds of prey to kill other birds and animals for sport. In the case of fox hunting (a true bloodsport), dogs are domesticated animals that are killing, not for food, but for sport.

League Against Cruel Sports 270

League Against Cruel Sports Rabbits Falcons Hunting 270

10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2014

They would pause over them and just gaze, sometimes even raising the book towards their eyes in the vain hope that this action would allow them to see more.—more Laughing Owl, 1909, New Zealand, photo taken by Cuthbert and Oliver Parr, pp. Their photos are the only known ones taken of the owl in the wild.

Animal 270

Animal Mammals Hawaii Dolphins 270

10,000 Birds

MARCH 14, 2011

Kills in Canada, Alaska and Mexico are not included in the count. Nationwide, wildlife watchers now outspend hunters 6 to 1. Texas and North Dakota together account for 88% of the total yearly kill of sandhill cranes. This represents 6% of the estimated mid-continental spring population of 322,700 birds for the same two decades.

2011 260

2011 Kentucky Tennessee Hunting 260

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2011

So, one might surmise, it’s OK if they get shot by hunters thinking they’re sandhill cranes? What could motivate gunmen (I cannot call them hunters) in two states to deliberately kill North America’s tallest and most critically endangered bird? Do all hunters realize that? Speculation is useless in acts of vandalism.

2011 244

2011 Hunting Kentucky Hunters 244

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Lacking, as I do, a birding reputation that would make people part with cash for my time I’ll have to go for the rarity hunters and put together an itinerary of highlights that can’t be missed. Laughing Owl. There are few sights on Earth more astonishing than the largest flying predator making its kill.

New Zealand 221

New Zealand Ducks Australia Mountain Goats 221