10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021

The HBW even mentions the importance of Ruoergai for this species: “Key sites for migrants include the Ruoergai Plateau (China), which is also an important breeding area” Common Mergansers also seem to use these wetlands as breeding area. The raptors of Ruoergai deserve a separate post.

China 250

China Mongolia Birds Russia 250

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2023

Not a cover species The Black Kite is not actually black, but of course, misleading bird names are not exactly rare. Maybe those should be protected too? No surprise then that the species is listed as Vulnerable. But then, sanity (or maybe respect for you, the reader) prevailed. Fortunately, they are quite common in Shanghai.

Birds 130

Birds Iraq China Ireland 130

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 3, 2015

I probably missed the fossilized remains of a nesting oviraptorid found in Mongolia in 1994, located in the hallway leading to the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs. And, flight became a secondary consideration as fossils of new species, found in rapid succession in Liaoning, indicated that feathers were used for courtship displays.

Mongolia 242

Mongolia Science Reptiles Indiana 242