Sure, I do know. You’re questioning how I can at all times provide you with such inspiring and enticing weblog put up titles. I’m afraid it’s a reward – it can’t be discovered.
One of many winter feeding areas for the Purple-crowned Crane had tons 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 virtually the scale of the Purple-crowned Crane, it seemed 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 likely one of 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 title Antigone vipio is weirdly associated to each Greek mythology and to birds: “Antigone claimed that her hair was extra lovely 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 wonderful age of 42 years. Like lots of my cats, the feminine fowl died of renal failure.
In keeping with the HBW, the Pelagic Cormorant is among the many least social of the cormorants, which instantly makes me sympathize with the species.
The title “pelagic” is deceptive because the Pelagic Cormorant often stays near the shore (from the place all of the photographs right here had been taken too).
Apparently, the species is considerably underresearched as a result of their behavior of nesting on steep cliffs, making statement troublesome: “This lack of analysis is due, partially, to the species’ behavior of nesting on cliffs, making statement troublesome” (HBW). Recommendation to fowl species: Higher nest on a college campus if you wish to get higher protection.
Nevertheless, there’s some fascinating info on their conduct. When nests are attacked, dad and mom defend it and should in the middle 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 troublesome alternative, 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 few uncommon discover of the species in London.
After all, this being a gull, there are additionally papers with scary matters similar to ” identification of first-cycle Slaty-backed Gulls, with explicit emphasis on separation from birds within the Glaucous-winged–American Herring Gull hybrid spectrum”.
Some birding magazines (similar to, 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 had been they pondering at Birding journal? I can image two responses: (1) It’s about time; and (2) No thanks.”
You’ll be able to think about what my response could 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 in addition they feed on chicks of their very own species is likely to 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?”
When you assume the picture under is fascinating, you may learn extra right here (PHOTO SALON: First Cycle Slaty-backed Gulls in Japan). I cannot although. You’re by yourself.
The Jap Buzzard may also be seen in Shanghai in winter …
… however given its scientific title 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 all the planet’s ecosystem.
Wait, I combined that up. There’s a firm named Black Kite providing Third Occasion Danger Administration Software program & Options – and so they say “We’re on a mission to enhance the well being and security of all the planet’s cyber ecosystem”.
On Hokkaido, Black Kites generally virtually appear small as they share the winter feeding websites with Steller’s Sea Eagle and White-tailed Eagle.
Effectively, not subsequent to Giant-billed Crows.
Black Kites often use rubbish dumps as meals sources – nevertheless, migrant and non-breeding kites use this meals supply way more often than breeding pairs, which choose to hunt within the wild, not less than in keeping 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 power – apparently, a colloquial Swedish title for the species is Slaguggla or “attacking owl” (supply: HBW).
Curiously, one examine 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”, despite the fact that I by no means learn it and being a tiger mother basically means being strict together with your children quite than aggressive towards aggressors.
Happily for the owls and for birdwatchers, some Hokkaido Ural Owls appear to be fairly used to guests – the truth is, some identified roosting websites appear to be virtually vacationer points of interest, and this doesn’t appear to disturb the owls.
Ural Owl pairs with out appropriate cavities of their territories breed much less often (they then use stick nests, however that apparently is a bit like residing in a tent quite than a correct house, and who desires to boost children in a tent?).
Ural Owls are monogamous and often 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, way more Sri Lanka than the Maldives. And these photographs actually look pretty harmonious …
Can a put up on “different” birds nonetheless have an “different” part? Sure, it will probably, if the “different” is such a pretty 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 photographs proven on this put up had been taken at varied areas in japanese Hokkaido in February 2024. For particulars of areas and dates, please consult with my web site of fowl photographs.