1. Let’s start with a fun piece about the remarkable Greater Honeyguide: A wild African bird that will famously lead people to trees filled with honeycomb seems to somehow learn the distinct whistles and calls of the human foragers who live near them. Scientists have long puzzled over this unusual cooperative relationship between humans and a wild animal. This bird species, the Greater Honeyguide, is not domesticated at all, and no one trains them. Yet in Tanzania, Hadza foragers can use a special whistle to attract this bird, which will then flutter down and start chattering away to lead them to honey. (via National Public Radio)
2. Beaks matter!: A bird’s beak is one of its most unique features. Even among birds that share the same body shape and size, beaks can vary significantly. Some beaks are short and stubby, while others are long and slender. Some have bills that curve downwards while others curve upwards. Birds use their beaks to eat food and also as a way to interact with each other—think of how a mother uses her bill to touch her babies’ scaly heads or clean their feathers! If you’ve ever wondered why some birds have such strange-looking beaks, this article will explain it all. (via Daily Infographic)
3. Studying how bird feeding impacts human well-being: Ashley Dayer hopes to peck away at the notion that bird feeding is simply for the birds. An associate professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech, Dayer is the lead author of an article published in People and Nature that argues not only for the acknowledgment of the activity’s benefit to humans, but that it should play a role in public guidance and policy. The group is conducting what is perhaps the first large-scale bird feeding research that also incorporates observing humans. (via Virginia Tech)
4. Strong support for the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023: A diverse coalition of over 210 organizations – spanning 43 states and led by the National Audubon Society and American Bird Conservancy – is urging Congress to act soon to pass the bipartisan Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023 (H. R. 4389). A joint letter, addressed to legislation’s sponsors Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Dave Joyce (R-OH), and Mary Peltola (D-AK), emphasizes the “immense value” of migratory birds to millions of Americans, our ecosystems, and our economic growth. The legislation recognizes that only solutions that cross international borders and support birds along their migration routes can turn around the disastrous decline in bird populations in the United States. (via Audubon)
5. With new names will come new ways of understanding (hopefully): This winter, tens of thousands of birders will survey winter bird populations for the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, part of an international bird census, powered by volunteers, that has taken place every year since 1900. For many birders, participating in the count is a much-anticipated annual tradition. Tallying birds and compiling results with others connects birders to local, regional and even national birding communities. Comparing this year’s results with previous tallies links birders to past generations. And scientists use the data to assess whether bird populations are thriving or declining. But a change is coming. (via The Conversation)
6. Small birds and wind turbines - more research on understanding the risks: As demand for renewable energy is rising, wind power development is rapidly growing worldwide. In its wake, conflicts arise over land use changes converting pristine nature into industrial power plants and its associated adverse biodiversity effects, crowned by one of the most obvious and deadly consequences: bird collisions. Most post-construction studies report low levels of avian mortality, but the majority of these studies are conducted primarily on larger birds. However, the diversity and abundance of small passerine birds are rarely reflected in the carcass surveys, although they in numeric proportion to their abundances should be the most numerous. (via Nature)
7. Imagine this bird at your feeder!: Elephant bird eggs in the Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy of National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France. Few creatures capture the imagination quite like the elephant bird. This colossal bird, often hailed as the biggest bird to ever roam Earth, has been a subject of fascination and study for centuries. From its enormous size to its mysterious extinction, the elephant bird remains a symbol of the enigmatic nature of our planet's past. And here, we’ll briefly dive into the world of the elephant bird, discussing its size, habitat, behavior, and, ultimately, extinction. (via Discover Magazine)
8. BNI would take the Spotted Owl side of this short discussion: Among the most inspiring and fascinating avian species are those belonging to the family of owls. There are 19 different species in Canada and the United States. Most birders I know always hope to see an owl. Owls are magnificent and charismatic, and they are popular with children and adults alike. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has it in for the barred owl, which they say will cause the spotted owl to become extinct due to its competitive nature. They go so far as to say that barred owls are categorized as an “alien species” because they migrated westward from the Eastern U.S. and were not detected in the Northwest until 1959. (Chinook Observer, Nov. 22, 2023, PP. A1 and A8). I would argue that is a natural range expansion by the barred owl. (via Chinook Observer)
9. Avian flu latest news – this from Argentina: Some 220 flamingos have been found dead in the province of Catamarcain northwestern Argentina due to an outbreak of avian influenza, otherwise known as bird flu, an official told local media. Bird flu is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease that naturally spreads through wild aquatic birds, such as ducks, geese and swans, but can also infect other bird species, such as domestic poultry, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has spread in more than 80 countries since 2022, and experts have concerns amid its ongoing impact across continents. (via CNN)
10. And speaking of the avian flu, anti-viral medicines for humans can help birds too: As avian influenza continues to spread around the world, researchers in Japan are turning to human medicine to protect rare and endangered bird species. Anti-virals are turning out good results in experiments so far, with the aim being to protect animals in zoos and keep natural habitats free of dangerous disease. Omoriyama Zoo in Akita City is known for its breeding program for the endangered Japanese golden eagle. In 2016, a black swan at the zoo died from avian flu. Under national quarantine guidelines, in the event of a farm outbreak, all chickens and other domestic animals get destroyed. But at zoos and other facilities, it is up to officials to decide how to manage avian flu. (via UNMC)
11. New Caledonia crow “stood its ground” in this study: The New Caldedonian crows were offered meat and apple during the research. Crows behave differently around food when rivals are present, new research has found. A study by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and the University of Cambridge discovered that Eurasian jays will settle for an immediate, less preferred food option when another bird is present - while New Caledonian crows will hold out for their favourite nibbles. Co-lead author Rachael Miller, senior lecturer in Biology at ARU, said it demonstrated the "ability for self-control”. "Jays rely more on this tactic for their survival," she added. (via BBC)
12. Ring-billed Gulls mean it’s winter to this Louisiana reporter: This may come as a surprise to Ark-La-Tex area readers, but one of the most abundant winter birds we have is the good, old-fashioned seagull. I know winter doesn’t officially begin until Dec. 21 with the winter solstice, but birds make really terrible amateur astronomers. As far as they’re concerned, it’s winter. Now, before I go any further, I have to mention something that birders of all types love to point out to all non-birders: there are actually no “sea” gulls. It’s just “gulls.” Yes, of course, you see gulls at the beach. But you also see gulls eating French fries from the dumpster outside McDonald’s or at the lake when you go fishing. In fact, nesting habitats for some gull species may range from prairies to treetops, and you can find them in places nowhere near the beach. “Seagulls” is just one of those names that was invented inaccurately, like “camel” instead of the obviously more appropriate and scientifically accurate “sand moose.” (via WGNO)
13. Simple tips for back yard bird baths this winter: It's vital we learn how to stop a bird bath from freezing, to provide this much-needed resource for our feathered friends over winter. Like us, birds need water daily to survive. And over cold periods fresh drinking water can be harder to come by. You might think it's not worth the effort to keep your bird bath frost-free, and wait for it to thaw naturally as the weather warms up. However, during winter the daylight hours are fewer, meaning birds have a tougher time finding food and water. (via Homes and Gardens)
14. And from Idaho Press – Christmas gifts for birders: The 2022 National Survey of Hunting, Fishing, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (U.S. Department of the Interior 2023) revealed there are now 96 million people in the U.S. who watch birds. These numbers dwarf both the number of anglers (39.9 million) and of hunters (14.4 million). Let me congratulate the Idaho Press for giving birds a prominent place in this newspaper, and I hope I can do birds and birders justice. Partly due to this enormous audience, the number of gifts for birders continues to go up. And there are good items across the price range, from a few bucks for a cool patch to attach to a day pack to high-end optics. (via Idaho Press)
15. Finally, for those headed to the Caribbean (or dreaming about going): The Caribbean is renowned for its diverse and vibrant birdlife, making it a prime destination for bird-watching enthusiasts. Here’s a summary of some of the best islands for bird-watching in the Caribbean. The annual Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival (CEBF) takes place across April and May, celebrating the 176 bird species unique to the Caribbean. This event includes presentations, bird walks, art competitions, and more, highlighting the region’s rich avian diversity. (via Salon Privé Magazine)
Bird Videos of the Week
By A Shot of Wildlife, “Five Birds that You Can Only See in the Winter”.
Cornell Live Bird Cam - Panama Collared Aracari.
Cornell Live Bird Cam - Visiting Blue Morpho Butterfly.