Sure, I do know. You might be questioning how I can at all times give you such inspiring and enticing weblog publish titles. I’m afraid it’s a present – it can’t be realized.
One of many winter feeding areas for the Crimson-crowned Crane had lots of of them together with a single White-naped Crane. As I’m residing in a Shanghai compound as the one Western-looking particular person alongside about 2000 Chinese language, I can think about how the fowl should really feel.
Though it’s nearly the dimensions of the Crimson-crowned Crane, it regarded smaller to me amongst them. And a bit lonely. Sure, I’m projecting. It could have been well mannered to not level it out although.
The White-naped Crane is listed as Susceptible, with a world estimated inhabitants of about 6500 people. A conservation report has 3 pages solely on threats to the species – a miserable learn.
The lack of wetlands in China is among the main threats and has already led to a shift within the migration route (supply). Specifically, the variety of cranes wintering at Poyang Lake in China decreased from about 4000 in 2000 to solely about 1000 people 10 years later (supply).
The scientific identify Antigone vipio is weirdly associated to each Greek mythology and to birds: “Antigone claimed that her hair was extra stunning than that of the goddess Hera. Hera, who was angered by that declare, turned Antigone’s hair into snakes. Later, one other god, pitying her, turned her right into a stork. Thereafter, the stork preyed on snakes.” (Wikipedia)
A White-naped Crane named Walnut simply died on the Smithsonian’s Nationwide Zoo in January 2024 after reaching the superb age of 42 years. Like a lot of my cats, the feminine fowl died of renal failure.
Based on the HBW, the Pelagic Cormorant is among the many least social of the cormorants, which instantly makes me sympathize with the species.
The identify “pelagic” is deceptive because the Pelagic Cormorant normally stays near the shore (from the place all of the pictures right here have been taken too).
Apparently, the species is considerably underresearched as a result of their behavior of nesting on steep cliffs, making remark troublesome: “This lack of analysis is due, partly, to the species’ behavior of nesting on cliffs, making remark troublesome” (HBW). Recommendation to fowl species: Higher nest on a college campus if you wish to get higher protection.
Nonetheless, there’s some attention-grabbing info on their habits. When nests are attacked, mother and father defend it and should in the midst of this protection regurgitate abdomen contents (i.e., throw up). The predator then both snatches chicks or eggs from the nest or eats the regurgitant (supply). A tricky selection, I assume.
Given how widespread Slaty-backed Gulls are on Hokkaido, it was a curious expertise to learn an excited report by Dominic Mitchell a couple of uncommon discover of the species in London.
After all, this being a gull, there are additionally papers with horrifying matters reminiscent of ” identification of first-cycle Slaty-backed Gulls, with specific emphasis on separation from birds within the Glaucous-winged–American Herring Gull hybrid spectrum”.
Some birding magazines (reminiscent of, sure, “Birding” journal) appear to be conscious that individuals like me exist. So, they introduce an article on “Vagrancy and Identification of First-cycle Slaty-backed Gulls” with the next phrases:
“A 9,000-word article on immature gulls! What have been they considering at Birding journal? I can image two responses: (1) It’s about time; and (2) No thanks.”
You may think about what my response can be after I as soon as described the totally different plumages of gulls as only a intelligent advertising trick of the distributors of gull costumes.
Whereas gulls consuming starfish might be acceptable for many people, the truth that additionally they feed on chicks of their very own species could be frowned upon by some (supply).
Relying on the precise location of the colony, Slaty-backed Gulls within the Hokkaido space use totally different main meals sources together with sardines, seabird chicks, grownup petrels, and chicks of their very own species.
“What ought to we eat tonight, fish or the chicks of our neighbors?”
Should you assume the picture under is fascinating, you’ll be able to learn extra right here (PHOTO SALON: First Cycle Slaty-backed Gulls in Japan). I cannot although. You might be by yourself.
The Jap Buzzard can be seen in Shanghai in winter …
… however given its scientific identify Buteo japonicus, it’s good to see it on Hokkaido, Japan.
As scavengers, Black Kites can moderately declare to be on a mission to enhance the well being and security of the whole planet’s ecosystem.
Wait, I combined that up. There’s a firm named Black Kite providing Third Occasion Threat Administration Software program & Options – they usually say “We’re on a mission to enhance the well being and security of the whole planet’s cyber ecosystem”.
On Hokkaido, Black Kites typically nearly appear small as they share the winter feeding websites with Steller’s Sea Eagle and White-tailed Eagle.
Nicely, not subsequent to Massive-billed Crows.
Black Kites continuously use rubbish dumps as meals sources – nevertheless, migrant and non-breeding kites use this meals supply much more frequently than breeding pairs, which want to hunt within the wild, no less than in accordance with this analysis. I can perceive that – I’d not take my spouse to a rubbish dump for dinner both.
Consuming at a rubbish dump nonetheless appears preferable to cannibalism, which Black Kites have additionally been reported to resort to.
Feminine Ural Owls may be fairly fierce in defending their nests. They goal to assault intruders from behind with fairly a considerable pressure – apparently, a colloquial Swedish identify for the species is Slaguggla or “attacking owl” (supply: HBW).
Apparently, one research discovered that feminine Ural Owls defending their nest extra aggressively have extra surviving offspring. That – falsely – made me consider the e-book “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”, though I by no means learn it and being a tiger mother basically means being strict along with your children quite than aggressive towards aggressors.
Thankfully for the owls and for birdwatchers, some Hokkaido Ural Owls appear to be fairly used to guests – actually, some recognized roosting websites appear to be nearly vacationer sights, and this doesn’t appear to disturb the owls.
Ural Owl pairs with out appropriate cavities of their territories breed much less continuously (they then use stick nests, however that apparently is a bit like residing in a tent quite than a correct condominium, and who desires to boost children in a tent?).
Ural Owls are monogamous and normally pair for all times – the divorce price is under 3%.
For comparability, ChatGPT tells me that the Maldives are the nation with the best divorce price (about 50%) and Sri Lanka has the bottom (about 2%). So, far more Sri Lanka than the Maldives. And these pictures definitely look pretty harmonious …
Can a publish on “different” birds nonetheless have an “different” part? Sure, it may possibly, if the “different” is such a lovely animal because the fox. The honorary feline within the canine household, and for an individual who’s owned by a number of cats, that is fairly a praise.
All pictures proven on this publish have been taken at varied places in japanese Hokkaido in February 2024. For particulars of places and dates, please confer with my web site of fowl pictures.
