“Hundreds of panicked swimmers were evacuated from a Hong Kong swimming pool when a bird flew into the water, a news report said (Sunday). The incident at the indoor pool in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district Saturday was an indication of the level of fear over avian flu in the city of 6.8 million.” Read the story Swimmers in flight as bird hits water in HK in Gulf Times.
A New York Times Science article on the new species of New Guinea includes a photo slide show featuring the new bird species.
read more | digg story
A previously undiscovered area high in the Indonesian mountains has revealed dozens of species of birds, butterflies, frogs and plants previously unknown to science.
An international group of 25 scientists studied the area in December 2005. A species of honeyeater bird, with a bright orange wattle, was among the new species discovered.
The team also captured the first photographs of two other previously known species: the Berlepsch’s Six-Wired Bird of Paradise, and the Golden-fronted Bowerbird.
Sources:
“Lost world” found in Indonesian jungle
New Guinea “lost world” revealed
‘Lost world’ found in jungle
A research team exposed Java Sparrows to English and Chinese translations of two well-known Japanese novels. The birds correctly identified the English recording 75 percent of the time.
read more | digg story
“The result of preliminary testing of a dead Oriental Magpie Robin found in Sha Tau Kok, Hong Kong, indicated a suspected case of H5N1 avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said.” Read the story Wild Bird Suspected to Carry H5N1 Virus in KH on Redorbit.
Over 300 species of birds can be found in the Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur, India. As no motorized transport is allowed in the park, tourists who don’t wish to walk or cycle themselves can opt for a cycle rickshaw.
The 122 cycle rickshaw drivers from the rural surroundings of Bharatpur received a three-month training on bird identification from the World Wildlife Fund, making them not only tranport providers but valuable guides. Read one rickshaw driver’s story in Ranjana Narayan’s article for New Kerala, A bird view of a Bharatpur cycle rickshaw driver.
A rare frigate bird flew 2,500 miles in 26 days on a search for food for her chick. The bird was tracked by scientists at Christmas Island National Park with a satellite tracking device.
The endangered Siberian Crane, whose population has been dwindling since 1971, traditionally migrates from its Russian summer home to warmer climes in the winter months. This season, Siberian Cranes have failed to arrive at the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, India for the third straight year. Two hundred cranes wintered in Bharatpur as recently as 1964. The birds now prefer Chinese wetlands for their winter home. A map by BirdLife International shows the winter and summer habitats of these endangered birds, which live in two recognized colonies.
Related links:
International Crane Foundation
Siberian Crane Wetland Project
It’s natural for king penguins to add extra weight during the winter months; it helps them cope with the severe climate of their surroundings. But zookeppers at the Asahiyama Zoo in Japan keep their penguins fit by taking them for walks twice a day. Read more about it at CNN.com.
