10,000 Birds

MARCH 11, 2024

Hongbenghe is directly at the border to Myanmar – before COVID-19, it was easy enough to walk across the border on foot, but now a monstrous long steel and barbed-wire fence separates the two countries. Some like Charles Vaurie have considered it so unreliable that they even suggested the destruction of his egg collection.”

Burma 196

Burma India Indonesia Thailand 196

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2022

Hongbenghe is a very small village in Yunnan, right next to the border with Myanmar. Even better, there is a wooden, unguarded, slowly decaying bridge over to Myanmar – so while I do not have the passport stamp to prove it, I can honestly say that I have been to that country as well. “It is not deep enough yet!

Myanmar 147

Myanmar Birds China Chicago 147

10,000 Birds

MARCH 25, 2024

In Grey-backed Shrikes (at least those breeding on the Tibetan plateau), the eggs laid during one breeding attempt get larger with time – presumably an attempt to at least partly overcome the disadvantages the last chick faces ( source ). The species is also hunted for local consumption in Meghalaya (India), according to the HBW.

Burma 187

Burma Vietnam Birds Laos 187