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Evidence of earlier humans in Madagascar is unconvincing but interesting

10,000 Birds

There is a virtual flock of new and interesting bird science news all of the sudden, including the rediscovery of an extinct Bahama Nuthatch. But here I want to note, and for now, dismiss, a find from Madagascar. It was always thought that humans first inhabited the island of Madagascar about four or five thousand years ago or so.

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Come@Me: Don’t Mourn for Extinct Birds

10,000 Birds

A bit of background: Pink Pigeons are medium-sized, pink/gray/ brown birds found on the island of Mauritius, Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. These were not birds that could live in small groups; it is postulated that their numbers quickly declined once hunting reduced the size of the flocks below a critical mass.

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