Don’t kill our national bird: Dutch object to new Lisbon airport

Wednesday, 19 Feb 2020 10:21 AM MYT

LISBON, Feb 19 — Thousands of people in the Netherlands have signed a petition objecting to the construction of an airport in Portugal that could threaten the black-tailed godwit, the Dutch national bird.

The new airport will be located on the south bank of Lisbon’s Tagus estuary, a nature reserve where the godwits, a threatened species, stop off on their way from Africa to the Netherlands.

“What is the point of protecting the godwits in the Netherlands if they are weakened or even die in Portugal?” says the petition, which has so far been signed by 26,000 people.

Portugal’s environment agency gave the green light for the airport in Montijo last month but said it must take steps to protect wildlife. The project has been heavily criticised by environmentalists at home and now abroad.

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Guns, predators and deforestation are pushing Samoa's national bird to extinction

Amber-Leigh Woolf 16:09, Sep 10 2019

Wellington Chocolate Factory co-founder Gabe Davidson talks about making Save the Manumea chocolate.

Kiwis are being called on to help save the national bird of Samoa from extinction - there's fewer than 200 left. 

The elusive Manumea is rarely sighted in Samoan forests due to hunting, deforestation and predators, and leaders are calling for a hunting ban to save them. 

Samoa's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Leasi Papali'i Tommy Scanlan, said the people of Samoa loved the Manumea like New Zealanders love the kiwi. 

In the 1990s, there were about 7000 Manumea - now there's fewer than 150.

"If it becomes extinct it will be a very sad day for us." 

In July, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern launched a Save the Manumea campaign in Apia with the Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, and the Wellington Chocolate Factory is producing a unique chocolate bar fundraiser for the conservation effort.  

The Wellington Chocolate Factory was donated cacao from the Savai'i Koko plantation to make 700 limited edition Save the Manumea bars.

The Save the Manumea campaign calls for a ban on hunting birds as  Manumea are being accidentally shot by people hunting the Lupe, the Pacific Pigeon. 

Pigeon snaring was once a distinguished sport among Samoa's high chiefs, but Papali'i said tradition hads to change to save the Manumea. 

"When they go hunting in the heavy forest and see the big bird, they can't distinguish between the pigeon and the Manumea, and they'll shoot." 

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NZ joins Samoa campaign to save manumea national bird

4:44 am on 30 July 2019 

Samoa's campaign to save its national bird, the manumea, was jointly launched on the weekend by New Zealand's Prime Minister.

Jacinda Ardern joined Samoa's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, for the launch in Apia.

It's estimated that there are no more than 200 manumea in the forests of Samoa, the only country where this species of pigeon is found.

Speaking at the launch, Fiame said the manumea had significant value for Samoa's culture and heritage.

"But many of our people will be unaware of this rather shy and cryptic bird which is now classified by the International Union of the Conservation of Nature as critically endangered and is on the red list of endangered species of 2018."

"There is also some poignancy that our manumea is one of the last living relatives of the dodo, a bird that has been extinct since 1681 but remains an icon of global conservation efforts," she said.

The deputy Prime Minister said the manumea the campaign was designed to do more than simply raise awareness of the endangered bird.

She has called on Samoa's public to consider changing the actions that many are taking which put the national bird and other biodiversity at risk.

Fiamē has encouraged local villages to help the ministry of environment by advising local pigeon hunters to support the campaign for Samoa's national bird.

A manumea mural was also launched last Saturday with a painting of the national bird on the eastern wall of the New Zealand High Commission office in Apia.

Source

Rare bird is the talk of a Halifax retirement home

Chukars are the national bird of Iraq and Pakistan, but one is now calling the Parkland Clayton Park home

Richard Woodbury · CBC News · Posted: Jan 19, 2019 6:00 AM AT | Last Updated: January 19

A bird that's a long way from home is being welcomed with open arms by residents at a Halifax retirement complex.

Last summer, a chukar appeared outside the Parkland Clayton Park and has remained there ever since. The red-billed partridge has since been named Clayton, a nod to the Clayton Park neighbourhood where the retirement facility is located.

Chukars are the national birds of Iraq and Pakistan, and are native to the Middle East and southern Asia. According to the National Audubon Society, they were brought as a game bird to North America and have thrived in some arid regions in the western U.S.

"We have no idea how he got here, but you know, he seems to be faring well so far and he's certainly being well fed and well looked after," said Jennifer Shannon, the general manager at Parkland Clayton Park.

Clayton can generally be found somewhere in the courtyard, which is enveloped by the retirement buildings.

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The fight for our national bird - and why it matters

2 Nov, 2018 5:00am

Looking at the plight of kiwi through the eyes of children, the generation who could grow up to see the last kiwi disappear from New Zealand. / Kiwisforkiwi

By: Jamie Morton

Science Reporter, NZ Herald

It's been two years since the Department of Conservation launched an ambitious plan to save our national bird. In the second of a two-part series, science reporter Jamie Morton looks at the strides made so far.

Before 2003, the rowi didn't exist – at least to us.

While set apart by its soft, slightly greyish plumage and occasional white facial feathers, the bird was long thought to have been a variety of the brown kiwi until researchers realised it was a distinct species.

Had this little bird not managed to hang on, our rarest kiwi species might have vanished without ever having been documented.

When the rowi recovery project kicked off in 2006, there were fewer than 200 birds.

Today, it's estimated about 600 exist, most within the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary near Franz Josef.

By 2030, the Department of Conservation wants to push that figure out to nearly 900, under its 10-year draft plan to save all kiwi.

By turning an annual 2 per cent decline into a 2 per cent increase, DoC aspired to lift the total kiwi population from 70,000 to 100,000, all within just over a decade.

Backed by a new $3.6 million research programme, DoC also sought to restore the national distribution of all species of kiwi – particularly those closest to the brink, such as rowi and Haast tokoeka - and maintain their genetic diversity.

It was running in tandem with a collaborative effort overseen by charity Kiwis for Kiwi, which aimed to boost the number of kiwi chicks in predator-free creches.

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Saudi falcons find relief at Abu Dhabi bird hospital

Updated 23 September 2018

JENNIFER BELL

September 21, 201822:20

Dr Margit Muller treats hundreds of injured falcons from the Kingdom each year, many of them flown in by private plane

The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital was the first and largest hospital in the world dedicated to the bird of prey

DUBAI: As the national bird of Saudi Arabia, the falcon is both a symbolic marker of the country’s culture and tradition and a treasured pet to many of its residents — and it is the job of one Abu Dhabi avian expert to tender to hundreds of injured birds of prey flown in from the Kingdom each year.

On any given week, about 10 injured birds are transported from Saudi Arabia — many by private plane — to be treated by the expert hands of Dr. Margit Muller, executive director of Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, the world’s first hospital dedicated to the falcon.

An expert in the specialized field of avian medicine, Dr. Muller’s extensive knowledge means she is in constant demand to treat injured falcons from all over the world. She treats about 10,000 birds of prey annually, of which at least 500 — predominately the Saker falcon, the largest species of falcon — are from Saudi Arabia.

“Due to our international reputation as the largest falcon hospital in the world, our very advanced treatment methods and the latest technical equipment, every year we receive more and more falcons from Saudi Arabia for examination and treatment,” said the German-born avian expert.

“Most of the falcons that we received from Saudi Arabia are Saker falcons as they are the favorite hunting falcons in Saudi Arabia. Most travel by car or private plane. For a sick falcon, it is faster to come to us by plane than by car, which reduces delays until the treatment.”
Many Saudi Arabian owners are often distressed as they consider the falcon an integral “part of the family,” explained Dr. Muller.

“The vast majority of falcon owners consider and treat their birds like their own sons and daughters,” she said. “Their falcons occupy a special place in their homes — and even in their cars.”

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Name change to Canada Jay part of bid to become Canada's national bird

KEVIN GRIFFIN

Updated: May 29, 2018

Birders and ornithologists across Canada are hoping that a name change will help revive a campaign to make the cheeky songbird the country’s national bird.

What was once known as the Gray Jay is now the Canada Jay. Earlier this month the change was announced by the American Ornithological Association (AOA), the U.S.-based group dedicated to the scientific study and conservation of birds.

In fact, the decision corrects what many consider a historical mistake. Canada Jay is a restoration of the English name the bird held from 1831-1957.

The new name for the songbird is exactly what David Bird, a retired McGill University wildlife professor, thinks will help convince the federal government to officially adopt the Canada Jay as the country’s national bird.

Bird speaks on behalf of Team Canada Jay, a loose group of about 50 birders, ornithologists and supporters. One of its prominent members is artist Robert Bateman.

Last year, the drive to single out the Gray Jay ran out of steam when the federal government said it wasn’t interested. The campaign had been started by the Royal Canadian Geographic Society which ran a National Bird Project and an online contest. Finishing first and second in voting were the common loon and snowy owl. But the society choose the third-place Gray Jay for a very good reason, Bird said. The loon is already Ontario’s provincial bird and the snowy owl, Quebec’s.

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Scientists unveil the genome of India’s national bird

by Manupriya on 4 June 2018

A team of researchers has sequenced the genome of India’s national bird, the peacock.

The genome analysis reveals 99 genes that are unique to peacocks. These genes are not present in other evolutionarily related birds such as turkey and chicken.

These unique genes could be responsible for peacock’s feathers and its long life span.

After a two-year long effort, a team of researchers from IISER-Bhopal has been able to sequence the genome of India’s national bird, the peacock (Pavo cristatus). Knowledge of the genome can provide insight into the genetic reasons that enable peacocks to have ornate feathers and fly despite their weight – two characteristics of the peacock that have been puzzling scientists.

The researchers have made their findings publicly available on the research pre-print server bioRXiv (pronounced bio archive). They also hope to publish their findings in a peer-reviewed journal, soon.

The study revealed that the entire peacock genome consists of 1.1 billion base pairs (base pairs are units of DNA) and codes for a total of 15970 genes. When these genes were compared with those of closely related birds like chicken and turkey, the researchers found that up to 99 genes in peacock are strikingly different.

Most of these ‘different’ genes are involved in early embryonic development or in providing immunity to the bird. These genes could also be reason behind the “unusual size and structure of peacock feathers and its higher longevity,” said lead researcher Vineet K Sharma, an associate professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, IISER Bhopal.

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New DVD to promote the protection of the black parrot, Seychelles' national bird

Victoria, Seychelles | October 27, 2017, Friday @ 10:00 in Environment » SPECIES | By: Sharon Ernesta | Views: 900

 (Seychelles News Agency) - A new DVD promoting the protection of the black parrot - Seychelles' national bird - is expected to be launched by the Seychelles Islands Foundation.

The initiative comes at the end of a song and poem competition organised by the foundation as part of its efforts to protect the black parrot. The contest was opened to all primary and secondary schools of the island nation. Around 100 entries were received and winners were rewarded last Thursday.

“The winning songs will be recorded and made into video clips. We will then give all participants a copy of the DVD so that they can use for their educational activities. The foundation will also use these DVDs as promotional materials” said Maria Brioche, education and outreach programme officer of the foundation.

The black parrot is endemic to the Seychelles, a group of islands in the western Indian Ocean. Found on the island of Praslin, its main breeding area is the palm forest of the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve, which is managed by the foundation. They can also be found at Fond Peper in the Praslin National Park.  The birds have also been seen on the neighbouring island of Curieuse, where they have been seen feeding though there is no evidence of breeding.

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Samoa's national bird under threat

6:01 am on 2 October 2017 

Samoa's National Conservation Society is pinning hits hopes on an international awareness campaign to save, the manumea, Samoa's rare and elusive national bird.

The Society has teamed up with Auckland Zoo and Samoa's Ministry of Natural Resources, and a UK team to save the manumea.

Endemic to Samoa, the manumea is a unique tooth-billed pigeon and faces threat of extinction due to deforestation, the arrival of rats and cats and other human development on its island home.  

The President of the Samoa Conservation Society, James Atherton, told Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor, how rare the manumea is.

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Suggestion earthbound kiwi should make way for 'more elegant' shearwater pecked to pieces

10 Sep, 2017 5:32pm

By: Andrea Jutson

Kiwi may be earthbound, small and funny-looking, but recent arguments that they should move over on their pedestal for New Zealand's "more elegant" seabirds have been pecked to pieces.

Northern New Zealand Seabird Trust co-founder Chris Gaskin raised eyebrows by suggesting seabirds such as the Buller's shearwater (rako) were a better fit as a national symbol.

In front of an audience of seabird enthusiasts in Wellington yesterday, he argued that as great travellers, Kiwis - the people - were better represented by a long-distance flier like the shearwater or black petrel than a stubby-winged bird.

"These birds travel huge distances," Gaskin said.

"But seabirds have gone under the radar, and that's a real concern for us."

While he said his suggestion to that a shearwater or petrel should replace the kiwi was light-hearted, he really liked the New Zealand Navy's idea.

"Our Orions that go on fishing and search and rescue patrols actually have two symbols - the kiwi, and on the tail of the plane, a seabird that looks like a petrel."

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Rare ibis discovered

September 1, 2017

Ven Rathavong / Khmer Times Share:    

Researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society and Environment Ministry have found two pairs of critically endangered giant ibis in Mondulkiri’s Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary.

They are the first of the species found in the sanctuary for ten years.

“This finding confirms once again that Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot and vital for conservation of globally threatened mammal and bird species,” WCS said yesterday.

The giant ibis (Thaumatibis gigantea) is Cambodia’s national bird, and exists only in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

There are about 194 mature individuals in the global population, with about 99 percent living in Cambodia.

Research team leader Sot Vandoeun said his team spent almost fifteen days searching for the species in the area.

Old reports and previous research had confirmed the presence of the species, however they had no accurate population number.

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Meet Canada’s proposed national bird

Sam Friedman sfriedman@newsminer.com

FAIRBANKS — In Alaska, the gray jay is just a fluffy songbird often seen scavenging around campsites, but over in Canada it’s the source of a national controversy. 

No, despite many reports to the contrary, the gray jay hasn’t been named Canada’s national bird, at least not by the government. 

But in November, the gray jay became a high-profile but controversial nominee after the Royal Canadian Geographic Society completed a two-year contest in November to nominate a national bird. “Meet our national bird: the gray jay,” proclaimed its magazine, Canadian Geographic, in November. 

Canada celebrates its sesquicentennial this year. The nation has existed for 150 years without an official national bird. A magazine poll online attracted about 50,000 votes and finished with the gray jay in third place behind the common loon, featured on Canada’s $1 coin, and the snowy owl.

But Canadian Geographic’s editors elevated the gray jay to be their nominee for the national bird because it met criteria for national symbol status beyond popularity. The bird isn’t already a provincial symbol like the owl and the loon. It’s also a year-round resident of the northern woods. It doesn’t migrate south for the winter like many other birds. Gray jays have dense feathers for withstanding extreme cold. They use their saliva like glue to stash food on tree branches. 

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Canadians pick common loon as favourite to become country's national bird

NATIONAL

by MORGAN LOWRIE, THE CANADIAN PRESS

Posted Sep 3, 2016 4:00 am PDT

Last Updated Sep 3, 2016 at 8:08 am PDT

The loon is familiar to Canadians because of its presence on the one dollar coin

MONTREAL (NEWS 1130) – The votes are in and, if Canadians have their way, the common loon could one day join the beaver and maple leaf as an official symbol of Canada.

While the US has the bald eagle and Britain has the robin, Canada has no national bird of its own — something the Royal Canadian Geographical Society is trying to change.

The organization launched its national bird project in January 2015, inviting Canadians to vote for their candidate of choice on the website of Canadian Geographic magazine, which it publishes.

Although the loon topped the contest with nearly 14,000 of the almost 50,000 votes cast, there’s no guarantee it will emerge the winner.

A panel debate will be held in Ottawa in September, where experts will argue the merits of each of the top five birds.

The final choice will be announced Nov. 16. After that, organizers will submit their proposal to the government, probably through a private member’s bill in the Commons.

When the contest ended Aug. 31, the loon had outstripped the snowy owl (8,498 votes) and the gray jay, or whiskey jack (7,918).

The Canada goose finished fourth, while the black-capped chickadee rounded out the top five.

A spokeswoman for the geographical society said the loon is familiar to Canadians because of its presence on the one dollar coin and its “haunting” call.

“It’s synonymous with Canada’s North and wilderness,” Deborah Chapman said in an interview.

“I think when people think of the loon we think of that call, and that reminds us of the North, which is a bit about who we are.”

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Choosing a national bird for Canada.

By Marc Montgomery | english@rcinet.ca
Wednesday 31 August, 2016 

Almost everyone knows the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States.   Other species of eagle have been chosen for several countries, including Spain, Philippines, Mexico and others.  Lesser known ones perhaps are the national bird of the UK: European robin, while for Bolivia it’s the condor.

While many might think the Canada goose is Canada’s official bird, Canada actually doesn’t have an official bird

The process to change that is going on right now in hope of naming one for Canada’s 150th birthday next year.

Canada is home to some 450 bird species and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS)  is asking Canadians for their choice in “The National Bird Project”. 

The common loon, also featured on Canada’s one dollar coin, is currently leading with over 11,000 votes. That’s followed by the snowy owl at over 7,000.

Federally Canada has been a bit slow in choosing a national bird whereas the provinces have already chosen some of the more popular possibilities.

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Red Kite or Chough? Which should Wales pick as its national bird?

21:27, 4 JUL 2016

BY ANDREW FORGRAVE

Bird Notes columnist Julian Hughes of RSPB Conwy assesses the options - and outlines where to go birding in the coming days

Until relatively recently the Red Kite could only be seen flying above Wales

The brilliance of our boys in red have brought pride to Wales in recent weeks, but shouldn’t we be equally proud of our nation’s birds?

In 2007, a BBC Wales / RSPB Cymru poll chose the Red Kite as our national bird. It is also is the emblem of the Welsh Ornithological Society, so shouldn’t we be making more of this wonderful raptor?

Until the late 1980s, Wales was the only place in Britain to see a Red Kite. Thanks to reintroductions, they are increasingly widespread in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and seen regularly along the North Wales coast. A great success story.

Other birds now arguably better merit the tag, such as the Chough, since Wales is home to a considerable portion of the European population; or Manx Shearwater, since half the world population nests in Wales.

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