10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

The drongo perches above the flock, snatching insects that they disturb, and keeping an eye out for predators that might go unnoticed by its hunting flock-mates. The species is classified as Near Threatened for all the usual depressing reasons – pollution, drainage, hunting, and the collection of eggs and nestlings ( source ).

Sri Lanka 219

Sri Lanka Taiwan Birds Cats 219

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2017

We’re looking at an area of Asia southeast of the Malay Peninsula and mainland Southeast Asia, southwest of the Philippines, north and northwest of Australia, west of Papua New Guinea (a boundary called “Lydekker’s Line”), intercut by the equator. The maps on the inside front and back covers help a lot.

Indonesia 129

Indonesia Brunei Malaysia Papua New Guinea 129

10,000 Birds

JUNE 24, 2024

As is often the case, I marvel at the weird German names of species – in this case, “ Schuppenstirn-Zweigdrossling “ Hearing birds in a noisy environment can be difficult – and the noise often does not come from humans but from nature itself, cicadas being particularly obnoxious.

Vietnam 221

Vietnam Birds Woodpeckers Bangladesh 221

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 7, 2014

It’s very hard to organize the many ways in which human beings relate to avian beings into comprehensible text. We worship birds, we hunt birds, we protect birds, and, yes, we eat birds. and also Modern Iraq, Egypt, Albania, Mexico, Poland and the Philippines. As they say, the relationship is complicated.

Egypt 218

Egypt Birds Albania Eagles 218