Most of my initial conversation today will be on the book I just finished reading: "THE GENIUS OF BIRDS" by Jennifer Ackerman. My opinion of the book is just that...MY opinion. All in all, if you're in the least interested in birds and what they 'think', why they 'act as they do', their 'learning skills', tool making and even bird art; the scientific approach of their brain/genius, then, this is the book for you!! Throughout the pages, there is wit, wisdom, and wonderment! You will read about decades of scientific research on the brain functions/size of brain through trials and tribulations of many species. There are success stories, and things that go 'flat'...literally [page 92 of the soft paperback edition] in reference to a Kea letting air out an automobile tire [intentional maybe? Who knows!] Another few pages that had me laughing out loud was a family parrot...learning the language of humans and imitating sounds that it heard throughout the day...for instance the human couple's voices where their tone was spot on and confused the two - it was the bird! And more antics, the sound of the cellphone ringing...again perfect pitch...and again, the bird! -The bird would even mimic the man, answering the phone "hello"...Uhuh, uhuh, uhuh"...then the sound of a flat ringtone; hanging up [page 146-47]. Perusing the book if you choose, you'll also learn theories about bird navigation, the use of stars and at times how they can become disorientated. At one point near the end, I found myself in just a tad bit of puzzlement. Throughout many pages Ms. Ackerman covered how birds can smell...the nerve is in their beaks that submit neurons to their brains...experimenting with crows and how to award them with a correct decision from identical shapes [the award was a morsel of food] --- it continued to pick the correct two pairs of matching images...well, perhaps, but she never mentioned that it was all possible the bird could SMELL the food?!! Why wasn't that brought to our attention? A worthy book to read, 4 stars out of 5 being the best kind of book...it is on the New York Times Bestseller List!----
Oh, I failed to mention...Ms. Ackerman also pointed out that the House Sparrow [see below] can be found on EVERY continent but Antarctica. Okay, on with my birding:
Tho the thermometer reads in the high 80's low 90s, the heat index has been enough for the weather app on my phone to issue heat advisories of 110-114 degrees! So, these photos I share today are some from a couple of weeks ago while on an early morning stroll around the lake at a city park that is home to many, many pigeons and gulls, along with several domesticated ducks and geese. Every once in a while cormorants, egrets, herons, teals, a few sandpipers may be seen. Oh and two resident roosters!! It's a popular place for parents to bring their small children to feed the waterfowl and turtles!!
photos taken: Lakeview Park - Corpus Christi, Texas
MUSCOVY DUCKS and ducklings
habitat map: Muscovy
CORMORANTS
habitat map: Cormorants
HOUSE SPARROW [female]
habitat map: Sparrow
MOTTLED DUCKS
habitat map: Duck
Now share your birding experiences:
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Heading out the door (Bill is tapping his foot) , so back later to read yr book review. And look at yr birds....thanks for hosting, wanted to link before we left.
ReplyDeleteThe book does sound very interesting! I looked it up on Amazon awhile ago. A few years ago, I read about a famous author's starling that could really talk. There is a book about that, but darn if I can remember anything else about it. Did not know birds can smell! I still don't know if I believe it. I have seen a bird on T.V. that could imitate a chain saw, from when men came to cut down the trees. Recently, another blogger stated that cormorants are rare! I'm not sure about that either. But you would know. The house sparrows are so adaptable! And they love to gossip. But they can be mean, and will kill baby bluebirds in the nest, for no apparent reason, just cause they like to do it. You have actually made the sparrows prettier than they really are!
ReplyDeleteOutstanding images of the ducklings today. Loved to see them. It is kind of strange but I still have not seen any ducklings in my area. Geeze, yes, coots, yes but no ducks. :( Strange!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting Anni.
Hello Anni, thanks for the book review. It does sound interesting. I love al the cute ducklings. Great captures of the waterfowl. Thanks for hosting. Have a happy day and weekend!
ReplyDeleteDucks know how to keep cool in the hot temps!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a wonderful week-end!
Sounds like a great book to add to my summer reading list. Enjoyed all the duck photos. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteMuscovy ducklings are SO much cuter than Mama and Papa...no offense! heehee! Wonderful photos and a nice book review. I think that's a book my husband and I would both like to read! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fascinating book! I love the cute ducklings.
ReplyDeleteHi Anni that book sure sounds interesting, not sure I knew that about the Sparrow, love your photos, and the park sounds like a hive of activity.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the remainder of your weekend, Gordon.
Loved the ducklings and especially the House Sparrows. We do not have them in our immediate neighborhood and I have never yet recorded on in the local wetlands over the 12+ years we have lived in Florida. Just got back home to Florida from (mostly) cool Illinois and I must share your concern about walking out in the heat. Our habit here is to get out a half hour before sunrise-- too dark for birds but it heats up quickly and can be oppressive, even dangerous, in less than 2 hours.
ReplyDeleteAnni, cute ducklings. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou have amazing birds! I have a few!
ReplyDeleteHello Anni!:) Late as usual,...but you know why! I was completely enthralled reading your book review, and I'll try to buy it on line. Americo and I always watch nature programs on TV, especially if they are about birds, and last year I bought a fab book on Phil's recommendation, which has proved invaluable. We saw loads of sparrows in the trees in the algarve, their chirping filled the air everywhere we went, but sadly saw few ducks in the estuary. Nice shares of the ducks,the Muskovy ducklings, and the sweet sparrow captures, and... thank you so much for hosting.:)
ReplyDeleteHi Anni. I can see how that place is popular with boyh families and birdwatchers. Where there's food the birds will find it, both the tame ones but also potentially, wild birds and unusual birds. Stay visiting there and you might just turn up ssomething out of the ordinary.Meanwhile, the book sounds very interesting but I've been told I need to cut down on bird books - currently a two full book cases and others here and there.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week and stop by and join in my trip to the hills today. Best wishes from UK.
Hello!!! It's that time of year to either....travel or read a book in the confines of our home. I hate the heat here in the desert. Yucky!!! It's drive and bird now. Love your Mottled and Muscovy discoveries. Have a nice Sunday and hope you kick start the week with a little fun:) Chris
ReplyDeleteHi again Anni. And thanks for popping by. To answer your question. Everything can be noted in the good old notebook and then back home entered on the computer programme IPMR. Intergrated Population Monitoring Reporter. Each month we send a file to BTO British Trust for Ornithology.
ReplyDeleteHi Anni!:) I haven't looked for the book "The Genius of Birds" on line as yet, but will when I'm less busy. An old school friend of mine is coming to stay with us for a couple of weeks, so I will be taking a break within the next few days. I am familiar with the beauty bush, and the clusters of berries look very much like the ones of the Mediterranean Smilax. It's Bee-eater Anni, in answer to your other query. Isn't it great to exchange info like this!:) See you after my friend has left.
ReplyDeleteI have to get a copy of that book! It sounds wonderful. Yes, birds are really intelligent. We don't give them enough credit. Thanks for a great review! Loved your photos. Sorry I'm a wee b it late linking in. My sparrows in my post work well with your comment about them being so common. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Anni. Loved seeing the ducklings. We could do with some of your warm temps BUT not that high!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Anni for the book review -- I really enjoyed it as well. Some of the experiments they did with birds kind of bothered me, but it is the only way we can learn. And it was nice to know that when we (birders) talk about how smart birds can be we are actually scientifically right (no fake news ;>)). Again, thanks for hosting and for the wonderful Corpus and PA birds .... I miss them! (You'd think I'd lived there all my life the way I talk, when it was really only two seasons. But they were great ones!)......
ReplyDelete