birdman
Орнитол&
In a recent thread, Kaled asked about “ticking” birds in zoos. Generally the “answer” was that you can tick what you like, but most (all) respondents wouldn’t tick anything that wasn’t wild.
I agree entirely, but it does lead to an interesting (I hope) possible conflict.
Would you tick an escapee?
I’ve read recently that one member (at least) gives them a dodgy tick.
I would probably disagree with that personally, but it does lead on to the definition of an escapee. There probably is a standard definition of an escapee, which I expect involves cages or collections, and probably refers to exotic (= the opposite of endemic) species.
Mind you, some birds would find it extremely hard to "escape" for the obvious reason.
If I want to add a Humboldt Penguin to my life list, I don’t have to go to Antarctica or Chile (or wherever)… I can go to Harewood. OK, they’re in a tank, but they are still Humboldt Penguins.
“Ah”, I hear you interject, “but they didn’t arrive under their own steam!”
True, but neither did Common Pheasants, but we in the UK and you folks over in the US are quite happy to treat them as tickable. And for that matter, what about the small British population of Egyptian Geese, and the ever increasing population of Ruddy Duck.
And what is the status of Black-winged Stilt (Sammy) and Glossy Ibis (Izzy), easy UK ticks if you can get to them. But they’re only one of each… there’s hundreds of Penguins in the UK.
“Ah but… it’s not the number of individuals that is important.”
Well, you see, you’re butting in again, aren’t you, because I would say that it is the number of individuals that is important. At least in one particular case.
Good old Columba livia.
We Brits don’t half seem to get in a pickle about Columba livia. Charles Harper, over in Japan, is not “allowed” to tick his, because all Japanese Columbae liviae (pluralised correctly – I hope - especially for you Charles!) are considered “dovecote birds”. I read that as freeflying, but owned.
A bit like British racing pigeons, perhaps.
But would you tick a racing pigeon? I’m guessing no.
Would you tick a “Feral Pigeon”… whatever that is? I’m guessing maybe, BUT…
…unless you’ve got one already, what you’re really waiting for is a pure Rock Dove.
Am I right?
And that’s the rub. What does “pure” mean?
No… don’t interrupt, I’ll answer for you.
It means uncontaminated… or essentially not polluted by the genes of racing or show pigeons (ie captive birds).
By why do we get all hung about it? They are all, after all, Columba livia.
It because Feral/Racing/Homing/Show Pigeons are everywhere – and Rock Doves are way out in the Western Isles of Scotland = there ain’t many of ‘em.
I’m not criticising anyone, because I include myself in what I expect will be the general consensus – and speaking of general consensus, I’ve rambled on too long about this… Anyone else want to throw in their 10 cents worth?
(By the way, Brits, it Wren on your life list? There’s millions o’ those!!!)
I agree entirely, but it does lead to an interesting (I hope) possible conflict.
Would you tick an escapee?
I’ve read recently that one member (at least) gives them a dodgy tick.
I would probably disagree with that personally, but it does lead on to the definition of an escapee. There probably is a standard definition of an escapee, which I expect involves cages or collections, and probably refers to exotic (= the opposite of endemic) species.
Mind you, some birds would find it extremely hard to "escape" for the obvious reason.
If I want to add a Humboldt Penguin to my life list, I don’t have to go to Antarctica or Chile (or wherever)… I can go to Harewood. OK, they’re in a tank, but they are still Humboldt Penguins.
“Ah”, I hear you interject, “but they didn’t arrive under their own steam!”
True, but neither did Common Pheasants, but we in the UK and you folks over in the US are quite happy to treat them as tickable. And for that matter, what about the small British population of Egyptian Geese, and the ever increasing population of Ruddy Duck.
And what is the status of Black-winged Stilt (Sammy) and Glossy Ibis (Izzy), easy UK ticks if you can get to them. But they’re only one of each… there’s hundreds of Penguins in the UK.
“Ah but… it’s not the number of individuals that is important.”
Well, you see, you’re butting in again, aren’t you, because I would say that it is the number of individuals that is important. At least in one particular case.
Good old Columba livia.
We Brits don’t half seem to get in a pickle about Columba livia. Charles Harper, over in Japan, is not “allowed” to tick his, because all Japanese Columbae liviae (pluralised correctly – I hope - especially for you Charles!) are considered “dovecote birds”. I read that as freeflying, but owned.
A bit like British racing pigeons, perhaps.
But would you tick a racing pigeon? I’m guessing no.
Would you tick a “Feral Pigeon”… whatever that is? I’m guessing maybe, BUT…
…unless you’ve got one already, what you’re really waiting for is a pure Rock Dove.
Am I right?
And that’s the rub. What does “pure” mean?
No… don’t interrupt, I’ll answer for you.
It means uncontaminated… or essentially not polluted by the genes of racing or show pigeons (ie captive birds).
By why do we get all hung about it? They are all, after all, Columba livia.
It because Feral/Racing/Homing/Show Pigeons are everywhere – and Rock Doves are way out in the Western Isles of Scotland = there ain’t many of ‘em.
I’m not criticising anyone, because I include myself in what I expect will be the general consensus – and speaking of general consensus, I’ve rambled on too long about this… Anyone else want to throw in their 10 cents worth?
(By the way, Brits, it Wren on your life list? There’s millions o’ those!!!)