“A widely-used livestock pain killer could endanger the survival of vultures around the world. The rapid decline of Indian vulture populations has been blamed on the use of the drug, diclofenac, to treat inflammation in cattle. “
Researchers believe they have located a place in the brain where songbirds store the memories of their parents’ songs.
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Newly discovered fossils are giving researchers more information on the life of the extinct Dodo bird, including diet, behavior and habitat.
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Condolences are still being posted for the so-called Domino Sparrow, murdered last November to save an attempt at breaking a domino-felling world record. See the condolence register at www.dodemus.nl.
Trade in protected birds flourishes in the Netherlands. According to a spokesperson from the animal protection group Dierenbescherming, the illegal trade is a new trend. In 2005 a total of 663 protected birds were confiscated. In 2002, the number was just 54.
In mid-December another animal protection group found 51 protected birds which were being kept illegally in personal aviaries in the southern town of Eersel. Among the birds confiscated were field larks and hedge sparrows. The perpetrator was already known to the agency as an illegal trader of wild birds.
The fine for holding such protected birds is EUR 44 per bird. On the black market, the birds are worth EUR 10 to EUR 75.
Source: Handel beschermde vogels floreert Trade of protected birds flourishes
“Ornithologists are pondering the possibility that birds strike up friendships after two female oystercatchers were netted together twice, 13 years apart.”
European health officials scramble to prepare for the possible arrival of bird flu this spring when migratory birds return to the continent. European birds are now mixing with South Asian birds in their common winter habitats in Africa. March and April will be “high alert times” in Europe.
If you have, then you are one of the lucky few this winter and the British Trust for Ornithology wants to hear from you.
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On Friday scientists announced a find of 700 bones of the extinct Dodo bird on the island of Mauritius. The announcement was made at Naturalis in Leiden, the Netherlands. The bones are estimated to be 2,000 to 3,000 years old. The cache will be on display at the museum until 8 January 2006. The last Dodo bird was killed on the island probably sometime before 1700.
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.
