An endangered bird famous for its elaborate leaping courtship displays is being reared in a special facility where the animals are able to develop their wild instincts. With less than 600 individuals left in the wilds of Cambodia, conservationists have shown that the Bengal florican can successfully grow up in semi-captivity, raising hope that a […]
Tag: birds
Dead Birds Flying High review – intriguing naturalist portrait swerves the Nazi question
Here is a thoughtful, austere documentary by Sönje Storm that largely avoids the irony-potential hinted at in the title. It is about her great-grandfather, Jürgen Mahrt: a remarkable, self-taught naturalist and photographer from Elsdorf in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, who sold off some of the family farm that he inherited to pursue his great passion for the […]
Massive Alaskan Bird Die-Off Shocks Scientists
Scientists have reported the most significant bird mortality event in modern history, with over 4 million common murres perishing in Alaska. This catastrophic loss, revealed in a recent study published in the journal Science, surpasses any previous known wildlife disaster, including the infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill. The roots of this calamity are traced back […]
Wildlife and humans face shared health risks from plastic pollution
Humans are surrounded by plastic. So are animals. While numerous studies have shown the wide-ranging health effects in humans linked to plastic, very few have looked at how plastic, especially microplastic, impacts wildlife. That’s beginning to change, contributor Sharon Guynup reports for Mongabay. “Plastic pollution has been found on every continent and in every ocean, […]
Saving ‘old and wise’ animals vital for species’ survival, say scientists
It’s not just humans who get wiser as they age – animals do too, according to a growing body of research. The bigmouth buffalo fish can reach 127 years old, the Greenland shark 392, and some sponges can live for 10,000 years or more. And age is not just a number: as animals get older […]
New Species of Bird Discovered in South America
The newly-discovered species belongs to Trichothraupis, a genus that was established in 1851 and, until now, included only one species: the black-goggled tanager (Trichothraupis melanops). These forest-dwelling birds live in pairs or in small groups, and feed on fruit and arthropods, regularly feeding on army ant swarms. They are common in the Atlantic Forest, where […]
High-Rise Buildings in Chicago Threaten Birds
Each year, thousands of migratory birds face significant risks as they pass through urban areas like Chicago. The city’s tall buildings and illuminated structures, especially at night, create hazardous conditions for birds traveling along major migratory paths. These birds, often confused by artificial lighting, crash into windows and structures, leading to injury or death. Organizations […]
Veterinarian’s Home Found Overrun with Over 200 Birds
A veterinarian’s home in Long Island became the site of one of the worst animal hoarding situations ever encountered, with over 200 birds and other creatures found living in squalor. The Nassau County SPCA was alerted to the home in Woodbury after a service worker discovered deceased cats in the yard on Wednesday, prompting officials […]