In my last post the idea that bird species could be divided into several species caught some attention. So guess what? Another post on birds comes up.
The example I used was the consideration by the International Ornithological Union (There other ornithological groups.) to divide Canada geese into six different species. Many people are quite happy to go along with just Canada geese. For some people to divide geese into 6 groups is horrifying . However, scientific study shows that there are big differences within Canada geese. One of them is size. One group of geese is about 1/4 the size of other geese. We think of most Canada geese as having a standard color pattern. Not so.
There are many other species of geese in the world but this is only happening to Canada geese as far as I know.
Juncoes have been divided a few times. Sometimes species are put back as one species. There is an American crow and then a northwestern crow which is very much smaller.
So I am a birder ... and a bit nerdy, but a book I read a few years ago got me thinking! It's pretty hard to get me thinking.
The book was called "To See Every Bird on Earth" written by Dan Koeppel. It's a neat book where Koeppel writes a history of his father but manages to write very much about birds. Koeppel's father was one of a few people in the world who try and see every bird in the world. They are obsessed with this mission. The go to all corners of the earth and spend no end of money.
So Koeppel tells his father's life story and tells about birds and how the International Ornithological Union classifies and reclassifies birds.
I found this a very interesting story and it opened my eyes to bird watching.
So for anyone who's interested in birds or science , this is a good read.
I mentioned our state bird, the Nene goose to you in the previous post. I just found this on Wikipedia:
ReplyDelete"It is thought that the nene evolved from the Canada goose (Branta canadensis), which most likely arrived on the Hawaiian islands about 500,000 years ago, shortly after the island of Hawaiʻi was formed."
Isn't it amazing how far they had to have flown?
This surprises me. Good thing you looked it up.
DeleteI am not a birder but this post reminds me of my brother who is an avid birder. He retired in Costa Rica in order to try and photograph as many species there as he can. So far he has gotten photographs of 320 species but that is still less than half of the species in Costa Rica. Thanks for the information on Dan Koeppel. I'll have to see if my brother has read this book.
ReplyDeleteCosta Rica is a birder's paradise. Thanks for visiting Hiawatha house.
DeleteSounds like a book you would enjoy reading...and give us the highlights! Juncos were here just before our snow and now they are gone:)
ReplyDeleteJuncos come in when thee is very rough weather.
DeleteGreat recommendation. There are so many amazing books on birds. So much to learn!
ReplyDeleteThis one is different . It keeps your attention.
DeleteThat does sound like a very interesting read. You have to have a real love for birds to do that!
ReplyDeleteI like Simon Winchester and Gavin Menzies. They are similar to this one.
Delete...I was in the nursery business for 50 years and many of the botanical names of plants changed during that time. Taxonomists as a group seemed unable to agree on things.
ReplyDeleteSo it's always a work in progress.
DeleteI'll take a look at that book when I attend the library next. Thanks, Red. :-)
ReplyDeleteHave you read any Gavin Menzies or Simon Winchester?
DeleteSounds like a very interesting book to read. Thank you for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll like it.
DeleteWow, I can't imagine such a mission. There must be bird species out there we barely know about, much less see routinely! I had no idea there were so many varieties of Canada geese. I always think of them as a single, monolithic group.
ReplyDeleteSome of these birds are very hard to find for many reasons. The geese have not been divided yet but it's coming.
DeleteHello, the book does sound interesting. Thanks for sharing. Wishing you a happy day!
ReplyDeleteA critter lover would really like this book.
DeleteI always enjoy learning about birds, Red, and will defer to the knowledge base of others such as yourself. I will in all liklihood never read a book on birding, but will enjoy seeing them.
ReplyDeleteI hope there are many more birders like you. You take an interest in the birds. The more knowledge people have the better.
DeleteThat's the first I've heard of that book.
ReplyDeleteTry Simon Winchester and Gavin Menzies
ReplyDeletethe book you have read sounds really appealing to me dear Red
ReplyDeletehow amazing to have such passion for birds and Nature and traveling for it far away
i think this is our real purpose in life ,to study the various aspect of nature and reveal the hidden interesting realities that benefit us somehow as humans :)