10,000 Birds

JULY 21, 2011

Here’s some data from the famous research project of Manu, Peru, giving biomass in kilograms per hectare. There are probably other major trends that depend, for example, on latitude and timing. But if you look at a bit of prairie in South Dakota during the dead of winter, you may see very few birds and a lot of bison.

Mammals 233

Mammals Rodents Reptiles Birds 233

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Fortunately for the honor of the species, the researchers found that kleptoparasitism was practiced at a low rate (4% of observations) while much more often, drongos captured insects disturbed by other species (41% of observations). Trust me, the species name makes sense for the male, though not for the female.

Sri Lanka 246

Sri Lanka Taiwan Birds Cats 246

10,000 Birds

APRIL 17, 2012

The babies that hatched from these eggs were released on Florida’s east coast. April 14, 2012 Liquid oil still seeps from some Louisiana marshes and ongoing research of toxicity levels is being conducted by LSU researchers. The numbers are significant when one considers the low stranding incidences reported prior to 2010.

2010 269

2010 Louisiana 2012 2011 269

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2022

Like a bad boyfriend not changing into nicer clothes for an evening out, the Brown-cheeked Fulvetta gets chided on eBird for not making any efforts: “an unapologetically drab and unmarked fulvetta” The Chestnut-headed Bee-eater apparently digs nest-burrows in which to lay its eggs. A worrying trend. I am only joking!

Myanmar 147

Myanmar Birds China Chicago 147

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 6, 2023

Is there a trend toward more literary paper titles? This species seems to frequently join mixed-species flocks – in research in Thailand, the species was found in 20% of the mixed-species flocks. One was reported to have raided the nest of a Grey-throated Babbler , eating at least two eggs and possibly one nestling ( source ).

China 147

China Vietnam Monkeys Birds 147

Animal Ethics

MAY 23, 2007

Well-planned vegan diets are healthful for pregnant mothers and their infants, as well as for older children, according to a large body of scientific research. It is well settled that a balanced diet of these foods provides the same essential amino acids that Nina Planck finds in an egg. Contrary to Ms.

New York Times 40

New York Times New York Vegan 2007 40

10,000 Birds

MAY 15, 2023

For example, a researcher and presumed ornithologist set out with two hypotheses related to the Ashy Drongo (and another drongo species) and wrote a paper about it. Parts of her real-life biography provide an explanation why before around 1880, the life expectancy of male humans was not lower than for females and may even have been higher.

China 257

China 2017 Birds Indonesia 257

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 26, 2022

Of course, the paper ends with the usual thinly disguised request for more research grants: “This sharing behavior could indicate a high level of social awareness and prosociality that should be further investigated. Apparently, this is part of a broader trend – it has also been observed in Taiwan ( source ).

Finland 147

Finland Birds McDonalds Israel 147

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2023

A very recent one (2023) involving Elliot’s Laughingthrush follows the same trend: “Asian Koel removes nestlings of Elliot’s Laughingthrush from their nest: farming or retaliatory mafia behavior? According to Chinese researchers, nest predation and brood parasitism are the two main reasons.

Mammals 147

Mammals St. Louis Birds Monkeys 147