Birds in the News!
Here are some articles we've found about both domestic and wild birds in the news lately. We encourage you to take a "gander."
Some news stories are fun or funny, some are serious and some are sad or even scary.
I will try to check the links periodically and remove them when they are no longer active, but if you spot a bad link, please
let us know.
Giant "Toothy" bird fossil found (September 15, 2010)
The 17-foot-wingspan bird is one of the largest flying birds we know of in the history of the world. Their small, sharp teeth were probably useful for catching and holding slippery prey like squid!
10,000 migrating birds confused by giant spotlights in NY (September 15, 2010)
Spotlights commemorating September 11th confused local migrating birds and had to be turned off several times to try to help the birds continue their flight during the night. This does not happen every year though, as the migration only lines up with the exact date of September 11th on some years.
Fourth Graders get a lesson in bird ecology (September 15, 2010)
This is similar to the educational talks and programs Luzonica does! This is in Youngstown Ohio.
Climate change is affecting who Cuckoos parasitize (September 15, 2010)
Cuckoos migrate and typically laid their eggs in nests of birds that do not also migrate, however with spring coming earlier, cuckoos are finding their typical host-species too far along in the nesting process by the time they get there, forcing them to consider other species to host their babies. This could have a big impact not only on the new species that is likely to have some population decline, but on the previous host species that might see a population rise. Some bird experts also worry that cuckoos that are highly dependant on non-migratory hosts may face extinction.
Endangered Albatross found dead on commercial fishing hook (September 15, 2010)
Birds used to be killed more frequently when they dove after baited hooks as the hooks went from the side of the boat to under the water. Commercial fishing boats have improved their tactics for getting hooks into the water, but casualties still sometimes occur.
Parrot chased off thieves who targeted the pet store he lived at (September 15, 2010)
Two snakes and one parrot were stolen, but more "pounds" of exotic pets likely would have been stolen had Jack not attacked the thieves (this happened in the UK so read pounds like dollars not like a measurement of weight ;) ) Blood from the thieves was found at the scene, probably from Jack's sharp beak and claws, and will be analysed by police to try to apprehend the criminals. Some fish were also killed during the robbery.
Egg experts say big farms can mean big problems (September 15,2010)
"If you have something go wrong, it'll generally go wrong through a million and a half birds."
Bird barf helps scientists study polution levels and overall environmental health (September 14, 2010)
Several species of bird will vomit to try to distract predators and escape harm. Scientists at the University of Virginia are bothering nestling seabirds to collect vomit that can tell them about the food the parent birds just fed their babies. Does it has high levels of mercury or other polutants? How does it compare to the baby-vomit from birds in other areas? Find out more by reading the article. The downside is each baby they pester loses a meal and thus, is going hungry more often due to this scientific research. :(
New window glass design to protect birds (September 14, 2010)
Ornilux Mikado is a new design of window glass with special patterns across it that reflect UV. Humans may see a faint frost-like pattern when the glass is back-lit, but birds will see a strong pattern and know not to try to fly through it. This new idea comes from observing that birds can see UV, and that spider webs (made from UV-reflecting silk) do not tend to get run into by birds.
Raptors living closer and closer to people, at their peril (September 14, 2010)
Collisions with cars are one of the most common causes of injury and death among raptors being pushed closer to people as their natural habitat shrinks. This is a well written article, though at note regarding the very last bit - a Coopers hawk is no threat to cat. Cats can easily kill and eat Coopers or Sharp-shinned hawks. Even an elderly cat would have nothing to fear from one of these small hawks.
Over one hundred mistreated and abused/neglected birds were removed from a Green County Missouri home (August 25, 2010)
Authorities were expecting to find over 1,500 animals on the property and there is $7,000 being offered as a reward if they can find the additional missing or moved birds.
Baby owls rescued after city workers cut down their tree (April 13, 2010)
Wildlife rescue volunteers are working to ensure that two baby barn owls become reunited with their parents again, after city workers cut down their nest while tree-trimming.
World Bird Sanctuary's Hospital may be forced to close! (April 13, 2010)
The World Bird Sanctuary in Missouri is where Zike, Luzonica's African Augur Buzzard was born and raised. In addition to the exotic raptors they work with and their education program, they rehabilitate and release native raptors that become injured or orphaned, but this program is in danger of closing due to reduced budget and continuing costs. Rehabilitation is a very expensive activity, which is why Luzonica does not directly do this and instead focuses on education. The WBS does a lot of great work and if you are looking for a charitable wildlife organization to donate financially to, I highly recommend looking into them.
Alaska Eagle survives plunge after courtship dance (April 9, 2010)
Eagles often perform elaborate aerial maneuvers where the male and female pair lock talons in the air high above the sky and tumble downwards together, breaking apart before hitting the ground. Well, that's how it works most of the time anyway. This pair of eagles misjudged and crashed into a snow-packed ground. One eagle died on impact (or shortly after). The other eagle is recovering, though may have permanent damage.
Wyoming wind developers launch bird study program (April 12, 2010)
Wind power is a wonderful source of energy, but does not come without any environmental costs and birds are included in the wildlife that is often hurt, stressed or killed by wind generating turbines. This particular study focuses on the sage-grouse in Wyoming in attempts to reduce the death toll on these birds caused or contributed to by the power generation.
Rare bird found and photographed in Columbia (April 12, 2010)
A rare species of hummingbird, called the Santa Maria Sabrewing flew into a researcher's net in Columbia and they were able to get photos - possibly the first photos ever taken of this bird. Prior to this, no one had seen any of these little hummingbirds recently and it was thought possibly extinct.
Hand-raised owl afraid of heights! (April 8, 2010)
Did you know a bird could be afraid of heights? It wouldn't happen in the wild but in captivity they often get raised in a very different environment than normal and it is possible for a bird to be afraid of high places or of falling.
California Brown Pelicans hit hard by mysterious illness, possibly weather/pollution related (February 10, 2010)
Wildlife rehabilitation centers are becoming overwhelmed by sick pelicans. Dead birds are being found in large numbers on beaches in California. El Nino storms may be part of the reason why, along with pollution in the oceans destroying their waterproof feather-coating.
Flightless birds may have evolved from flighted birds! (February 1, 2010)
The extinction of the dinosaurs looks to have opened habitat and food sources up to birds that previously were not safe. Birds flew in, and without the big predators around, evolved to not need flight. This also helps explain how flightless birds ended up in remote areas that could not easily be reached only by walking.
Fossil in China boosts Dinosaur-Bird link (January 30, 2010)
A fossil from far before Archaeopteryx suggests a strong tie between dinosaurs and birds.
"Least-Known Bird" has been found! (January 20, 2010)
The Large-billed Reed Warlber has the distinction of being considered the world's "least-known" bird.
Young Cranes complete migration with the help of an ultralight aircraft (January 20, 2010)
Whooper Cranes raised by humans get assistance through their first migration by an ultralight aircraft. The Cranes flew from Wisconsin to Chassahowitzka.
Birds rescued after Manchester ship canal oil spill (January 20, 2010)
About a dozen birds have been coated with oil from a recent oil spill. Wildlife experts are still trying to capture the birds to clean them off for release. If left to their own, the birds will try to clean themselves off and will end up ingesting a lot of oil, which will kill them. Unfortunately, it is difficult to capture a bird that can fly (or a duck/goose that can swim).
More than 30 birds shot and dumped in Denison, Texas (January 20, 2010)
Wild ducks and geese were the targets of this attack. A pile of dead bodies was found near Loy Lake. Some breast meat had been removed. The birds were found in a park where no hunting is allowed.
Noah and the Bunnies
This is a really sweet story about an unusual foster-parent at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Texas.
Great-horned Owl fight (December 29, 2006)
This photo/story is old but I just discovered it today. What an amazing photograph!
Great-horned owl attempts to snatch a small dog! (December 16, 2009)
Owls and other raptors rarely prey on domestic pets but it does happen, especially with dwindling natural habitat. This dog survived the ordeal after the owl lost its grip. Keep your tiny dogs supervised when outside, especially at dusk and dawn - prime hunting times for these owls.
Clues to what birds do on trans-Sahara Migration (December 7, 2009)
With new technology and tiny GPS transmiters, scientists in Sweden have tracked the trans-Sahara desert migration of 90 raptors. Though not a detailed report, the results are still fascinating!
Stunning "images" seen in flocks of wild birds (December 2, 2009)
Flocks of blackbirds, starlings and other small songbirds can be very impressive sights, with the pattern of the flock changing apparent density based on the angle of the birds' wings compared to where you are standing. Here are some really cool "pictures" that people saw (and photographed) in bird flocks!
Hummingbirds drink using tiny 'straws' (November 23, 2009)
Have you ever wondered how hummingbirds get nectar from the flower up that long beak? Find out here!
Tammy the Turnpike Turkey moves to the Zoo (November 18, 2009)
A turkey, affectionally given the name Tammy, has been wandering around the Jersey Turnpike (including the toll booths at exit 14B since last spring. She's become famous with local motorists, but also a sever traffic hazzard and finally wildlife officials were able to capture her and relocate her to a zoo, where she is far less likely to be hit by a truck.
Brown Pelican - Off the Endangered List in 2009! (November 11, 2009)
The Brown Pelican's numbers suffered greatly from the use of the pesticide DDT. DDT was banned in 1972 and since then this large species of sea-bird has been making a come back. Now their numbers are sufficient to warrant them off the endangered species list.
Can Pets get the H1N1 Virus? (November 5, 2009)
Some pets have been recorded as having developed the H1N1 illness, probably passed to them from a human. This has included turkeys/poultry.
Gull Disrupts Live Newscast (October 28, 2009)
A gull (slang: sea-gull) distracted a live news report in Australia last month.
Juvenile starlings try to steal food from prairie dogs at the St Louis Zoo (October 20, 2009)
Though the birds are also pecking directly at the food and apparently at the pairie dog himself, they are clearly very young birds and are making baby-motions such as gaping (opening their mouths expecting food to be put in it) and flapping their wings (drawing attention to themselves so a parent will feed them). The prairie dog looks entirely unphased through all this.
Art on display at the Chicken Museum in South Korea (October 19, 2009)
"The chicken is one of man's universal livestock, absorbed in various cultures, but barely known."
Raven stalks woman in Germany (October 5, 2009)
A raven has been tormenting a woman in Germany, tapping at her window, tearing her grocery bags and glaring at her. Clearly not afraid of people, one wonders what has brought about this raven's dislike of the woman. The bird also escaped police custody.
Feathers found on a fossil far older than Archaeopteryx; Birds with 4 "wings?" (September 28, 2009)
Fossils 1-11 million years older than Archaeopteryx suggest that early birds may have had sturdy feathers on their legs as well as on their forelimbs.
Native American man kills Bald Eagle - court will likely stand firm against him (September 21, 2009)
Native Americans can go on a several-year-long waiting list in order to acquire eagle carcasses, feathers, or parts that they need for religeous ceremony, or they can apply for a permit to kill an eagle if the government agrees that it is necessary. Unfortuately, the legal processes can be difficult and excessively time consuming and there are few alternatives that are fair to both Native Americans and to Eagle conservation. This issue brings up a lot of discussion about the value of religeous practices and how state or federal laws may intentionally or inadvertently hamper such practices and ceremonies.
An Art Review of Jean Pagliuso's Poultry Suite and Raptor Suite (September 11, 2009)
Beatiful portrait photographs of chickens and owls, capturing "distinct personalities" of the birds.
Migrating birds chill to conserve energy (September 11, 2009)
Studies show that birds reduce their body temperature at night to conserve energy when they are undertaking long, difficult migrations.
The egg industry routinely discards baby chickens by tossing them into a grinder (September 1, 2009)
WARNING: This story may (should) shock and offend you! Read at your own risk!
It is standard practice in the egg industry to only keep female chickens that hatch. The other 50% (the males) are disposed of. Hidden videos as well as the industry itself, confirm that throwing live chicks into grinders is standard practice to cull unwanted male chicks. How HORRIFYING!
Follow-up Story Here including alternatives to grinding the chicks up, including donating them to widlife rescue and education organizations, or zoos, to be used as food for raptors, raccoons, and other predators.Good news for geeks: The smart bird gets the girl! (September 2, 2009)
Studies of bowerbirds show that the more intelligent birds have better mating success!
Changes in bird populations expected from Global Warming (September 2, 2009)
California populations of native birds may be in danger of extinction with current climate changes.
Crow Planet, a NY Times Book Review (August 27, 2009)
An insightful and in-depth book review about Crow Planet by Lyanda Lynn Haupt. Many of the behaviors she has witnessed, including funerals/mourning for deceased birds, are things I have witnessed as well, either with wild corvids or with Luzonica's ravens.
To avoid bird/airplane collisions, just tell the birds to move (August 16, 2009)
New research is being done on the possibility of using lights on planes to signal to birds to get out of the way, and hopefully to reduce the number of collisions between airplanes and birds; something that is deadly to both birds and people. This news is promising, however I was dismayed to read that part of the research will involve killing birds to study their eyes. It is my belief that behavioral studies will prove far more valuable and not require killing.
New Crow/Tool News! (August 6, 2009)
Crows have now been shown to not just use or make tools to get food, but to use tools to get other tools to get food. Using tools in sequence without prior training, is something we had never specifically shown before in non-human animals!
Bird Fossils show signs of feather color (September 1, 2009)
Scientists have now found fossil evidence to help us figure out what color prehistoric birds were.
This website's version of the news report includes a video!Man Saves Baby Falcon from being Bullied (August 18, 2009)
Check out the news story to find out who was doing the bullying!
LAX Makes Birds Unwelcome (August 23, 2009)
LAX does its best to protect people and planes from collisions with wildlife, especially birds. (Maybe they could try some of that bird repellant down below!)
Exxon Fined for Causing Bird Deaths (August 13, 2009)
Exxon agrees to pay $600,000 in penalties after causing the deaths of approximately 85 federally protected, migratory birds.
Parrot-chase in New York (August 24, 2009)
An escaped pet macaw leads a man on a days long chase in Hells Kitchen, Manhattan.
Bird Repellant for use at Airports? (August 15, 2009)
A non-toxic bird repellant based on smell and taste, currently used to reduce blackbird attacks on sunflower farms, may be tested for use at airports, to keep birds off the runways and protect planes/people.
Canary Fighting Ring is broken up in Shelton, Conn. (July 27, 2009)
I would not have guessed that canaries could be aggressive enough to encourage gambling and blood-sport but apparently the little birds do become very territorial during breeding season. Another senseless abuse of animals for "sport."
Baby Birds - What to do if you find one (July 27, 2009)
New York Times article on what to do if you find a baby bird. You can also check out Luzonica's info under Wildlife Rehabilitators.
Same-sex penguin couple in an Edinburgh Zoo (July 13, 2009)
A cute story about a couple of penguins picking up same-sex partners in other zoos outside the US. (Apparently July 13 was a good day to run stories about same-sex penguin partners. See the next story below!)
San Francisco's same-sex penguin couple broken up by female homewrecker (July 13, 2009)
San Francisco's same-sex penguins are probably the most famous animal same-sex couple in the US, though other same-sex penguins live in captivity in Germany, China and elsewhere. The SF couple has been broken up by a female penguin. Check out the link to read on.
Parrots join humans on the dance floor! (April 30, 2009)
Parrots and other animals with the ability to mimic sounds can dance and keep time with the beat, even if it is a song they have never heard before, or if the beat is sped up or slowed down.
Home Depot in Arkansas has a Great-horned Owl taking care of pest-control (April 24, 2009)
This is a short story about a Home Depot that had an owl move in.
Sweaters for Chickens! (February 19, 2009)
Little Hen Rescue helps chickens that are discarded from the commercial egg industry in the UK. The chickens are bald or nearly bald from stress when they arrive at the rescue.
Studying birds gives us information on flight and how to build flying robots (April 9, 2009)
It turns out that turning is very simple for birds. If they want to turn left, they simply flap their right wing faster until they've turned as much as they intended.
Jackdaws (related to crows) can recognize gaze and pointing (April 4, 2009)
These birds take notice if humans are watching them, and can interpret change in eye gaze and pointing gestures to locate hidden objects.
Four Navy men shoot and kill federally protected waterbirds in Florida (Feb 20, 2009)
Nearly two dozen birds were killed by the men, who apparently waited until nightfall for the birds to roost, then shot them for fun.
"Extinct" bird is seen, then eaten (February 18, 2009)
A sad story of a rare and previously assumed to be extinct bird that was recently documented, while on sale at a food market. This rare quail is found in the same region as Luzonica's Luzon Bleeding Heart Dove.
Cats tagged in bird-killing study (Feb 16, 2009)
UK is tagging domestic cats with electronic harnasses to find out how many birds per year cats are probably responsible for killing.
US Airways Flight 1549 crash-landed on the Hudson River. One or both engines were damaged by striking birds while taking off. All passengers survived. No birds hit survived. (Feb 4, 2009)
Pilot stays calm and lands plane with no serious injuries to any people involved.
Historical review of accidents involving birds and planes (Jan 15, 2009)
A look at some of the past issues involving birds and planes, including information about possibly the first incident of a bird-plane collission.
Man Caught Smuggling Pigeons into Australia in his Cloths (Feb 4, 2009)
A man was arrested in Australia after trying to smuggle in two pigeons, two eggs, and some seeds.
Wing, Prayer & a Firefighter: Smokey the Owl Recovering from Burns (Jan 26, 2009)
A Great-horned Owl flew through a wall of flames during the Southern California Sayre Fire. Rescue workers rescued the burned owl and he received treatment at a local wildlife center and was eventually released!
New Bird Species Discovered in Africa! The Olive-Backed Robin! (Aug 21, 2008)
This beautiful little bird was first spotted by scientists in 2001 and was recently confirmed by DNA tests to be a separate species than previously known birds.
Avian Flu, not yet becoming a pandemic (Jan 22, 2008)
The avian flu has not become a pandemic and news media has all but forgotten about it, but that isn't because it is going away. It is just as serious as before; what has gotten better has been preventative measures and response to outbreaks.
Raptors are on the decline in South California? (July 25, 2008)
Raptor experts agree that South California is seeing a decline in raptors. More and more raptors come to rehabilitation centers without visible injuries, but simply starving to death because of conditions such as drought and loss of habitat.
Pet parrot saves toddlers life! (Nov 18, 2008)
It is not only pet dogs that save lives by alearting others to danger or injury! Birds can do it too!
New Study Relates Falcons to Parrots (June 28, 2008)
Falcons may look like hawks and eagles, but it turns out they are probably more closely related to parrots than either of the other big predators!
Alex the African Grey Parrot, in the New York Times after his death in 2008 (Nov 7, 2008)
Alex was a world-renouned parrot who really helped us make incredible improvements in our understanding of bird intelligence. Alex could tell the difference between groups of objects and could use speach as a means of communication, not just mimicry.
Plan to kill woodpeckers in Northern California (Nov 16, 2008)
Woodpeckers sometimes peck holes in the eves or siding of houses, causing property damage. After trying non-lethal methods of woodpecker control, home owners may resort to killing these incredible, social creatures.
Avian Malaria is being spread by Tourism to Penguins in the Galapagos (Aug 18, 2008)
Hawaii lost about 50% of its native birds from similar causes. Scientists hope to be able to prevent that kind of extinction in the Galapagos, but tourism makes it difficult.
California's Prop 2 passes, providing more space to domestic chickens used in egg production (Nov 5, 2008)
2008's Prop 2 balot increased caging requirements for many kinds of animals used in agriculture in the US.
A plane in Italy is forced to make an emergency landing due to birds (Nov 11, 2008)
Birds are frequently killed by run-ins with planes. Often the plane is damaged, although usually people are not lost. The birds never survive. Sometimes professional falconers are used to chase birds away from airport run-ways to reduce the risk of plane-bird collisions.
Parrot Smuggler gets 10 Months in Jail (July 7, 2008)
This seems like a very light sentance to me for this crime. Thousands of birds die every year as people try to get around the laws against importing wild-caught birds by smuggling them into the US in suitcases, trunks, clothing etc.
Oil Spill Birds are Rescued, but not Saved (Oct 29, 2008)
Less than 40% of the avian oil-spill victims rescued in the San Francisco Bay spill last year survived to be released back to the wild.
Man convicted of poaching over 300 waterbirds in California! (Nov 18, 2008)
Such a sad story. This man had no real explanation for why he illegally killed so many beautiful creatures.
Hannah Montana singing balloon startles birds-causes power outage (Nov 18, 2008)
A whole series of man-made events lead to this power outage. Starlings are an introduced species to the US, and singing balloons are certainly not "native!"
Pet birds are being increasingly abandoned or re-homed (July 1, 2008)
Parrots are the third most popular pet in the US, but many people are not prepared for the work involved in keeping them. With a downturn in the economy, parrots are not only being purchased much less, but they are being abandoned in larger numbers than ever before.
A Golden Eagle in a free-flight Raptor Show is killed and eaten by lions in a nearby exibit (June 29, 2008)
During a free-flight Raptor Show at the Greater Vancouver Zoo, their Golden Eagle was attacked by a flock of crows and flew down into a lion enclosure. Three lions attacked, killed and ate the educational bird. This is one of the reasons Luzonica does not do free-flight demonstrations. In addition to becoming lost, birds can land in dangerous places on accident, such as roads, powerlines, swimming pools and other fatal hazards.
An African Grey Parrot got lost from his home in Japan and got home by reciting his name and address! (May 21, 2008)
These birds are incredibly smart and do more than just mimic; they can learn to use words in sentences and understand human language!
Pet parrot story in the news (Nov 10, 2008)
It's always good to see positive news articles about birds and the people that get along with them, whether they be domestic or wild birds.
Fly Tech Dragonfly toy attacked by Red-tailed hawks! (March 10, 2008)
Apparently the new dragonfly robot toy has been snatched by several raptors on several occations. Read the story to find out more! Maybe Luzonica should get some of these as stimulation toys for our captive raptors!
Crows not only use tools, they use a tool to reach another tool, needed to reach a reward! (Aug 20, 2007)
These crows were able to use analogical reasoning to use a short tool to obtain a long tool needed to retrieve a piece of meat.
Giant bird could have flown at 150 mph! (July 4, 2007)
Fossil remains of an eagle-like bird with a wing-span of 21 feet is shown, using computer models, to have had the ability to fly and probably reach speeds of up to 150 mph in a dive.
Ancient Seabird with Teeth
Illustration: Carlos Anzures/National Geographic
California Brown Pelicans are released back into the wild
Photo: Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times
A photo from a 2009 migration to Chassahowitzka
Photo: SINA Corporation
The image of a whale is seen in the waves and turns of starlings in the sky
Photo: Gail Johnson
Tammy struts her stuff on the Jersey Turnpike
Photo: Mel Evans, Associated Press
A prairie dog protects his food from young delinquent starlings
Photo: Daily Mail Reporter
"White#22" and "Owl I" from Poultry Suite and Raptor Suite by Jean Pagliuso
Photos: Jean Pagliuso
Two male penguins have partnered up at the Edinburgh Zoo
Photo: dailymail.co.uk
Illegally killed waterbirds
Photo: California Department of Fish and Game
