This Week in Birding 37

This Week in Birding

:: A new study by scientists at Environment Canada has found that more than 270 million birds are killed in Canada every year from human-related activity

:: The Plain-pouched Hornbill in Malaysia is facing extinction because of logging, poaching, and being hunted as food for humans

Plain-pouched Hornbill

Plain-pouched Hornbill by Vikali Kupotea on Flickr

:: Mercury levels are increasing in the eggs of water birds that nest downstream from Canada’s tar sands region

:: A new species of owl has been discovered in Oman by a British ornithologist and his team

:: This year’s Big Sit is coming up on October 12th and 13th, so register for the sit today!

:: Lake Natron in northern Tanzania calcifies animals that fall in, and Nick Brandt is beautifully posing and photographing them

:: Cornell ornithologists are using red markers to carry out a “plumage manipulation experiment” in Australian fairy-wrens, who seem to prefer red to orange

Male Red-Backed Fairy Wren

Male Red-Backed Fairy Wren by neoporcupine, on Flickr

:: Ranchers in Texas don’t trust government conservation plans designed to save the Lesser Prairie Chicken

Great posts in birding blogs this week:

:: From Birdgirl at Exploring NatureGood Birds and Some Mysteries

:: From Julie at Birding is FunWarblers Vireos Cuckoos & More

:: From Wally at Our Florida JournalBeach Bird Bonanza

:: From Julie Zickefoose’s blogStalking the Wild Kingfisher

:: From Josh at Ontario Birds and HerpsThe rest of Moosonee

:: From Kathleen at BirdworthyMystery Visitor Drops In Downtown, Literally

:: From Jeff at the ABA blogBirding in the digital age, chasing a modern day lifer

:: From Mia at On the Wing PhotographyAutumn Horned Lark 

:: From Sharon at BirdchickThe latest Birdchick podcast