p.2 #2 · One of the World's Rarest Birds - Courtois' Laughing Thrush
douter wrote:
Thanks for these photos and sharing the information. Is there a known reason as to why these birds are so endangered?
Douglas
Thank you Douglas. I don't think there is an explicit explanation as so little is known of these birds. Until I think it was the year 2000, the last sighting was nearly a hundred years ago (and only ever in this vicinity). Certainly now they are usually only found in specific, ancient, very tall, trees (except when bathing ) and the only trees of this nature that have survived are those close to villages where the villagers protect them (as now do the local govt.).
p.2 #3 · One of the World's Rarest Birds - Courtois' Laughing Thrush
OwlsEyes wrote:
I can appreciate the effort and time investment made to track down these clearly endangered bird. Congratulaion, bruce
Thank you Bruce ! Once I heard of them I was determined to get to WuYuan and find them. It's not too far (10 hour round trip) from Shanghai, and I found them on 2 of the 4 days I was there (though on the other occasion they were high in the canopy).
p.2 #5 · One of the World's Rarest Birds - Courtois' Laughing Thrush
penpro wrote:
Congrats on getting the shots. Stunning birds, you should keep one of these hanging on your wall as it might be on of the last time they are seen.
Thank you PenPro ! They are indeed and I certainly hope it's not close to the last time they are seen. Whilst their habitat is rare and they range tiny, it is being well protected so hopefully the birds can thrive and expand their numbers. The fact there are 4 flocks (there were ca. 30 birds in this flock), and the territories overlap, should hopefully prevent in-breeding.
p.2 #6 · One of the World's Rarest Birds - Courtois' Laughing Thrush
Tim Kuhn wrote:
Wow, talk about a rare thrill, this is way over the top Kevin!!! Excellent job with these guys, I'm going with Fatty Bum Bum as my pick
Tim
Thank you very much Tim ! It was indeed a very exciting time, add to it the Pied Falconets, Ashy Drongos, Blue Throated Bee-Eaters, Pygmy, Great Spotted and Grey Headed Woodpeckers, Plumbeous Redstarts, Red Billed Starlings and many other species I hadn't seen before .. and this was the trip of my short birding 'career', so far !
p.2 #16 · One of the World's Rarest Birds - Courtois' Laughing Thrush
Thanks so much for sharing these Koen, a bird not a lot of people here might not be able to see in our lifetime. I agree, it must be really exciting and rewarding to be able to take pics of more than 1 and even babies. Superb shots and congrats!
p.2 #17 · One of the World's Rarest Birds - Courtois' Laughing Thrush
jodelak wrote:
Thanks so much for sharing these Koen, a bird not a lot of people here might not be able to see in our lifetime. I agree, it must be really exciting and rewarding to be able to take pics of more than 1 and even babies. Superb shots and congrats!
Thank you very much Jodelak ! Is 'Koen' Canadian dialect for Kevin ?
You are absolutely right - it was a real thrill and something I will treasure (though it won't be a one time event for me, I will certainly go back and try for more shots in the future as Wu Yuan is a gorgeous place to visit, whether for birds or for the traditional villages and landscapes).
