10,000 Birds

APRIL 3, 2023

”, which by some remarkable coincidence is also the title of a paper on “Physical-Attractiveness Evaluations and Dating Preferences as a Function of One’s Own Attractiveness” (among humans, not Grey-capped Greenfinches). One paper describes them living in the cemeteries of Yogyakarta in Indonesia.

Blackbirds 204

Blackbirds Birds Indonesia Bhutan 204

10,000 Birds

MAY 13, 2022

For once, eBird gives a good description of the Asian Glossy Starling, calling it a “Fierce-looking, large songbird” As are humans, this species is fairly urbanized – it “sometimes enters urban areas to roost, e.g. in Singapore” (HBW).

Singapore 228

Singapore Birds Zebras Feral 228

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2011

And fun and food are, I’d submit, not enough reason to fell a bird in which only one in three pairs manages to raise a single chick each season; a bird that has captured the imagination and hearts of tens of thousands of people, whose sonorous purr floats down from on high like the voice of a pterosaur. Thank you for your efforts.

2011 243

2011 Hunting Kentucky Hunters 243

10,000 Birds

MAY 13, 2024

It seems a bit sad to me that a paper on the Eurasian Tree Sparrow and the House Sparrow has to justify the need for research on these species by arguing this benefits humans: “Sparrow species … live in a close association with people. The first bird I saw in Saigon was less exotic though – a Eurasian Tree Sparrow.

Vietnam 175

Vietnam Zebras Dissection Birds 175

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 28, 2015

During my previous five trips to Indonesia, I only heard but never caught a glimpse of three species. “Spooked” is a bit of a strong word as I was very likely the first human this bird had ever seen and it stuck around for quite a while merely five metres away from me. Which one to choose for my bird of the year ?

2015 187

2015 Costa Rica Birds Sparrows 187

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 8, 2022

In contrast, the females need to make sure not to get duped into raising actual cuckoos – the buntings are a targeted host species ( source ). Weirdly, this bird is also described as a common pest in Indonesia, responsible for substantial losses of rice. Possibly a survivor of siblicide (which would make it a killer, right?).

Eggs 214

Eggs Birds Bangladesh China 214