Did you ever wonder why you never see dead penguins on the ice in Antarctica? Craig at SABirdNet has provided the answer…
It is a known fact that the penguin is a ritualistic bird which lives an extremely ordered and complex life. They have a very strong community bond, are very committed to their family and will mate for life. They also maintain a form of compassionate contact with their offspring throughout its life. When a penguin is found dead on the ice surface, other members of the family and social circle dig holes in the ice, using their vestigial wings and beaks, until the hole is deep enough for the dead bird to be rolled into and buried. The male penguins then gather in a circle around the freshly dug grave and sing…
“♫ freeze a jolly good fellow…♪”

BirdLife Malta have produced a heart-breaking and highly effective video to promote their petition demanding the Maltese prime-minister ban illegal hunting. The link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0SgNMBvVoQ. Watch it, think about it, sign the petition. Please.

Of course it has been months since Patrick of The Hawk Owl’s Nest was fortunate enough to win the 10,000 Birds / Wildside Nature Tours contest for an “Endemic Dash” through Puerto Rico but it is just now that the results of that contest are really becoming apparent…

Though one would think that the recent decision by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge banning the city of Los Angeles “from subsidizing or promoting the trap-neuter-release program until environmental studies are completed” would have at least temporarily stopped the animosity between those who think domestic animals belong outside and those who think nature should be for wild animals, it appears that this is not the case.  Just take a look at the angry comments (not backed up by anything but anecdotes) on this Los Angeles Times article from those who think the judge was wrong.

Trap-neuter-release does not work and those who support it are advocating for the death of wild animals, birds included.