Ornithology

Anne Geene & Arjan de Nooy

de HEF publishers
Giacomo Puccini, ‘Madama Butterfly’, 1904
1 History

1.1 First Photograph of a Bird 11

1.2 Aristotle on Birds 17
1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 43

2 Form and Function

2.1 Camouflage 65
2.2 In Flight 81
2.3 Surface Tension 113
2.4 Velocity 121
2.5 Silhouettes 131

3 Behaviour and Migration

3.1 Bird Geometrics 143

3.2 Migration of a Herring Gull 177
3.3 Symbiosis 189
3.4 Sonograms 193
3.5 Ostrich Policy 203
3.6 Group Dynamics 217
3.7 Territory 237

4 Reproduction and Oology

4.1 Nest 241

4.2 Genetics 257
4.3 Holotype 263

5 Studies and Observations

5.1 Bird Counting 267

5.1.1 Area 269
5.1.2 Fixed Frame 275
5.1.3 One Picture 283
5.2 Reaction Rate 289
5.3 The Blackness of the Crow 293

6 Unresolved

6.1 Unidentified Species 307

6.2 The Whiteness of the Wood Pigeon’s Egg 313
6.3 Unexplained Phenomena 321

Bird Index 330

Bibliography 334
Colophon 335
1.1 First Photograph of a Bird

The relatively slow shutter speed required for good exposure was an evident
problem in the nascent days of photography. Even a photograph in direct
sunlight required at least a few minutes for success. The restless nature
of animals therefore made them poor subjects for the techniques of those
times. Consequently, wildlife photos from the period are somewhat rare,
excepting those of sedentary, inactive or sleeping creatures.

Correspondingly, the famous first image in which a man is depicted, Louis
Daguerre’s ‘Boulevard du Temple’, shows a Parisian street cobbler and his
client while the background swims past. The subjects had to stand motionless
for minutes in order to be visible in the photo.

We set out to uncover the first picture of a living bird. After an exhaustive
search, it was found nestled in Henry Talbot’s renowned ‘An Oak Tree in
Winter’ 1841–43. Here we see depicted, a wood pigeon, a bird that happily
adheres to moments of stillness.

1.1 First Photograph of a Bird 11

 William Henry Fox Talbot, ‘An Oak Tree in Winter’, 1841–43

12 1.1 First Photograph of a Bird 13

1.1 First Photograph of a Bird 14 1.1 First Photograph of a Bird 15
 1.2 Aristotle on Birds

Aristotle’s ‘History of Animals’ (Historia Animalium, 4th Century B.C.) is

the earliest systematic zoological study handed down from antiquity. It
comprises a mixture of philosophical/scientific considerations, assessments
and personal observations as well as texts and stories of his contemporaries
and would remain a standard in the field for almost two millennia.

Writing extensively on birds, Aristotle’s text could easily be considered
as the world’s first tract on ornithology. There follow some notable quotes
of Aristotelian ornithology, from the translation of D’Arcy Wentworth
Thompson (1910). Photographs of the mounted birds are of specimens in
the collection of the Natural History Museum Rotterdam.

16 17
The cuckoo shows great sagacity in the disposal of its progeny; They say that pigeons can dis-
the fact is, the mother cuckoo is quite conscious of her own cow- tinguish the various species: so
ardice and of the fact that she could never help her young one in that, when a hawk is an assail-
an emergency, and so, for the security of the young one, she makes ant, if it be one that attacks
of him a supposititious child in an alien nest. The truth is, this its prey when the prey is on the
bird is pre-eminent among birds in the way of cowardice; it allows wing, the pigeon will sit still;
itself to be pecked at by little birds, and flies away from their if it be one that attacks sit-
attacks. ting prey, the pigeon will rise
up and fly away.
Book IX, 29, 618a
Book IX, 36, 620a

The cuckoo is said by some to be a hawk transformed, because at

the time of the cuckoo’s coming, the hawk, which it resembles, is Pigeons have the faculty of
never seen; and indeed it is only for a few days that you will see holding back the egg at the very
hawks about when the cuckoo’s note sounds early in the season. moment of perturition; if a hen
pigeon be put about by any one,
Book VI, 7, 563b for instance if it be disturbed
on tis nest, or have a feather
plucked out, or sustain any
other annoyance or disturbance,
then even though she had made
up her mind to lay she can keep
the egg back in abeyance. Pigeon

Book VI, 2, 560b

The pigeon, as a rule, lays a

male and a female egg, and gen-
erally lays the male egg first...
in all connected to the rearing
of the young the female parent
is more cross-tempered than the
male, as is the case with most
animals after parturition.

Book VI, 4, 562b

Cuckoo
The erithacus (or redbreast) and the so-called redstart change
into one another; the former is a winter bird, the latter a summer
one, and the difference between them is practically limited to the
coloration of their plumage.

Book IX, 49B, 632b

Redbreast Redstart

1.2 Aristotle on Birds 18 1.2 Aristotle on Birds 19

In the same way with the beccafico and the blackcap; these change
into one another. The beccafico appears about autumn, and the
blackcap as soon as autumn has ended. These birds, also, differ
from one another only in colour and note; that these birds, two
in name, are one in reality is proved by the fact that at the
period when the change is in progress each one has been seen with
the change as yet.

Book IX, 49B, 632b

Beccafico Blackcap

The blackheaded tit is said by some to lay the largest

number of eggs; seventeen eggs have been seen; it lays,
however, more than twenty; it is said always to lay
an odd number.

Book IX, 15, 616b

Blackheaded Tit

1.2 Aristotle on Birds 20 1.2 Aristotle on Birds 21

The crake is quarrelsome, clever
at making a living, but in other
ways an unlucky bird.
Book IX, 17, 616b
1.2 Aristotle on Birds
For the eagle, by the way, ejects the young birds prematurely,
before they are able to feed themselves, or to fly. It appears
to do so from jealousy; for it is by nature jealous, and is
so ravenous as to grab furiously at its food; and when it does
grab at its food, it grabs it in large morsels.
Book IX, 34, 619b
Crake
Eagle
The horse and the anthus are
enemies, and the horse will
drive the bird out of the field
where he is grazing: the bird
feeds on grass, and sees too
dimly to foresee an attack;
it mimics the whinnying of the
horse, flies at him, and tries to
frighten him away; but the horse
drives the bird away, and when-
ever he catches it he kills it.
Book IX, 1, 609b
Anthus
22 1.2 Aristotle on Birds 23
Many indications of high intel-
ligence are given by cranes.
They will fly to a great distance
and up in the air, to command
an extensive view; if they see
clouds and signs of bad weather
they fly down again and remain
still.
Book IX, 10, 614b
The crane, as has been said,
migrates from the one end of
the world to the other; they fly
against the wind. The story told
about the stone is untrue: to
wit, that the bird, so the story
goes, carries in its inside a
stone by way of ballast, and
that the stone when vomited up
is a touchstone for gold.
Book VIII, 12,597b
It is a great rogue of a bird,
and is a capital mimic; a bird-
catcher will dance before it
and, while the bird is mimick-
ing his gestures, the accomplice
comes behind and catches it.
Book VIII, 12, 597b
1.2 Aristotle on Birds
With regard to their origin,
nothing is known from ocular
observation; the only fact known
for certain is that they are
first seen when a west wind is
blowing.
Book IX, 28, 618a
Crane Little Horned Owl
With partridges, by the way, if the female gets to leeward of the
male, she becomes thereby impregnated. And often when they hap-
pen to be in heat she is affected in this wise by the voice of the
male, or by his breathing down on her as he flies overhead; and,
by the way, both the male and the female partridge keep the mouth
wide open and protrude the tongue in the process of coition.
Book V, 5, 541a
The partridge lays not less than ten eggs, and often lays as many
as sixteen. As has been observed, the bird has mischievous and
deceitful habits. In the spring-time, a noisy scrimmage takes
place, out of which the male-birds emerge each with a hen. Owing
to the lecherous nature of the bird, and from a dislike to the
hen sitting, the males, if they find any eggs, roll them over and
over until they break them in pieces; to provide against this the
female goes to a distance and lays the eggs, and often,under the
stress of parturition, lays them in any chance spot that offers;
if the male be near at hand, then to keep the eggs intact she
refrains from visiting them.
Book IX, 8, 613b
The fact is that, when she stands to windward an within scent of
the male, she conceives, and becomes useless for decoy purposes:
for, by the way, the partridge appears to have a very acute sense
of smell.
BookVI, 2, 560b
Eared Owl Partridge
24 1.2 Aristotle on Birds 25

Of the other two species-for
there are three in all-the
white heron has handsome plum-
age, unites without harm to
itself with the female, builds
a nest and lays its eggs neatly
in trees; it frequents marshes
and lakes and Plains and meadow
land.
Book IX, 18, 617a
1.2 Aristotle on Birds
Of herons there are three kinds: the ash coloured, the white, and
the starry heron (or bittern). Of these the first mentioned submits
with reluctance to the duties of incubation, or to union of the
sexes; in fact, it screams during the union, and it is said drips
blood from its eyes; it lays its eggs also in an awkward manner,
not unattended with pain. It is at war with certain creatures that
do it injury: with the eagle for robbing it, with the fox for wor-
rying it at night, and with the lark for stealing its eggs.
Book IX, 1, 609b
Ashcolored Heron
The speckled heron, which is
nicknamed ‘the skulker’, is
said in folklore stories to
be of servile origin, and, as
its nickname implies, it is
the laziest bird of the three
species.
Book IX, 18, 617a
White Heron Speckled Heron
26 1.2 Aristotle on Birds 27
 The hoopoe usually constructs The jay has a great variety of
its nest out of human excrement. notes: indeed, one might almost
say it had a different note for
Book IX, 15, 616a every day in the year.

Book IX, 13, 615b

Hoopoe Jay

The kite has been seen to drink, but he certainly drinks The halcyon is the most rarely
very seldom. seen of all birds.

Book VIII, 3, 594a Book V, 9, 542b

Halcyon

Kite

1.2 Aristotle on Birds 28 1.2 Aristotle on Birds 29

The nightingale, when the hills
are taking on verdure, sings
continually for fifteen days and
fifteen nights; afterwards it
sings, but not continuously. As
summer advances it has a dif-
ferent song, not so varied as
before, nor so deep, nor so
intricately modulated, but sim-
ple; it also changes its colour,
and in Italy about this season
it goes by a different name.
Book IX, 49B, 632b
A mother-nightingale has been
observed to give lessons in
singing to a young bird, from
which spectacle we might obvi-
ously infer that the song of the
bird was not equally congenital
with mere voice, but was some-
thing capable of modification and
of improvement.
Book IV, 9, 536b
…of this bird, by the way, the
story goes that he was orig-
inally born out of a funeral
pyre.
Book IX, 1, 609b
1.2 Aristotle on Birds
The bird called sitta is quar-
relsome, but clever and tidy,
makes its living with ease, and
for its knowingness is regarded
as uncanny; it has a numerous
brood, of which it is fond, and
lives by pecking the bark of
trees.
Book IX, 17, 616b
Nightingale Sitta
The so-called goat-sucker lives
on mountains; it is a little
larger than the owsel, and less
than the cuckoo; it lays two
eggs, or three at the most, and
is of a sluggish disposition.
It flies up to the she-goat and
sucks its milk, from which habit
it derives its name; it is said
that, after it has sucked the
teat of the animal, the teat
dries up and the animal goes
blind.
Book IX, 30, 618b
Goat-sucker
Oriole
30 1.2 Aristotle on Birds 31
There is enmity also between the owl and the wren; for the latter
also devours the owl’s eggs. In the daytime all other little birds
flutter round the owl-a practice which is popularly termed ‘admir-
ing him’-buffet him, and pluck out his feathers; in consequence
of this habit, bird-catchers use the owl as a decoy for catching
little birds of all kinds.

Book IX, 1, 609a

The parrot which is said to

have a man’s tongue, and after
drinking wine, the parrot
becomes more saucy than ever.

Book VIII, 12, 597b

Owl Parrot

Pelicans that live beside rivers

swallow the large smooth mus-
sel-shells: after cooking them
inside the crop that precedes
the stomach, they spit them out,
so that, now when their shells
are open, they may pick the flesh
out and eat it.

Book IX, 10, 614b

Pelican

1.2 Aristotle on Birds 32 1.2 Aristotle on Birds 33

And, by the way, it is owing to
the distress occasioned by the
bulkiness of its body that the
bird quail alway screams while
flying: for the labour is severe.
Storks, and all other birds, when they get a wound fighting,
apply marjoram to the place injured.
Book IX, 6, 612a

Book VIII, 12, 597b

Quail

Stork

The reed-warbler makes its liv-

ing as easily as any other bird,
sits in summer in a shady spot
facing the wind, in winter in a
sunny and sheltered place among
reeds in a marsh; it is small in
size, with a pleasant note.

Book IX, 16, 616b

Reed-warbler

1.2 Aristotle on Birds 34 1.2 Aristotle on Birds 35

The sea-eagle is very keen-sighted, and before its young are fledged tries to make them stare at the
sun, and beats the one that refuses to do so, and twists him back in the sun’s direction; and if
one of them gets watery eyes in the process, it kills him, and rears the other. It lives near the
sea, and feeds, as has been said, on sea-birds; when in pursuit of them it catches them one by one,
watching the moment when the bird rises to the surface from its dive. When a sea-bird, emerging from
the water, sees the sea-eagle, he in terror dives under, intending to rise again elsewhere; the
eagle, however, owing to its keenness of vision, keeps flying after him until he either drowns the
bird or catches him on the surface. The eagle never attacks these birds when they are in a swarm,
for they keep him off by raising a shower of water-drops with their wings.

Book IX, 34, 620a

Sea-eagle

1.2 Aristotle on Birds 36 1.2 Aristotle on Birds 37

Some declare that the male spar-
row lives only a year, point-
ing to the fact that early in
spring the male sparrow has no
black beard, but has one later
on, as though the blackbearded
birds of the last year had all
died out; they also say that the
females are the longer lived, on
the grounds that they are caught
in amongst the young birds and
that their age is rendered mani-
fest by the hardness about their
beaks.
Book IX, 7, 613a
1.2 Aristotle on Birds
In a general way in the lives
of animals many resemblances
to human life may be observed.
Pre-eminent intelligence will
be seen more in small creatures
than in large ones, as is
exemplified in the case of birds
by the nest building of the
swallow.
Book IX, 7, 612b
Sparrow Swallow
The tree-creeper is a little
bird, of fearless disposition;
it lives among trees, feeds
on caterpillars, makes a living
with ease, and has a loud
clear note.
Book IX, 17, 616b
Tree-creeper
38 1.2 Aristotle on Birds 39
Some birds have a peculiar habit of making a noise at their hin-
der quarters, as, for instance, the turtle-dove; and they make a
violent movement of their tails at the same time that they produce
this peculiar sound.

Book IX, 49B, 633b

Some birds live on the sea-

shore, as the wagtail; the bird
is of a mischievous nature,
hard to capture, but when caught
capable of complete domestica-
tion; it is a cripple, as being
weak in its hinder quarters.

Book IX, 12, 615a

Turtle-dove Wagtail

The wren lives in brakes and

crevices; it is difficult of cap-
ture, keeps out of sight, is
gentle of disposition, finds its
food with ease, and is something
of a mechanic. It goes by the
nickname of ‘old man’ or ‘king’;
and the story goes that for this
reason the eagle is at war with
him.

Book IX, 11, 615a

Wren

1.2 Aristotle on Birds 40 1.2 Aristotle on Birds 41

 1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis

Here we find a representation of the entire bird population of the
Mauritshuis as observed on 17 April 2015. The Mauritshuis has a compact
collection of Dutch paintings from the Golden Age, one highlight being
‘The Goldfinch’ by Carel Fabritius, which we also spotted that day.

42 43
Hendrick Avercamp, ‘IJsvermaak’

Hooded Crow Hooded Crow Hooded Crow Unidentified Hooded Crow Hooded Crow

Hooded Crow Unidentified Hooded Crow Hooded Crow Unidentified

Abraham Bloemaert, ‘Theagenes ontvangt de erepalm van Chariclea’

Grey Heron Unidentified

Paul Bril, ‘Berglandschap met de heilige Hieronymus’

Goldfinch Goldfinch Nuthatch Nuthatch Magpie Magpie

Jan Brueghel de Oude, Hendrik van Balen, ‘Krans van vruchten rond een voorstelling met Cybele die
geschenken ontvangt van personificaties van de vier jaargetijden’

Woodpecker Woodpecker Woodpecker Unidentified Unidentified

(variety) (variety) (variety)

Jan Brueghel de Oude, Hans Rottenhammer, ‘Christus in het voorgeborchte’

Unidentified Unidentified

Jan Brueghel de Oude, Hans Rottenhammer, ‘De rust op de vlucht naar Egypte’

Green Unidentified Blue Tit Grey Heron Grey Heron Goldfinch

Woodpecker

Bullfinch Goldfinch

1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 44 1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 45
Jan Brueghel de Oude, Peter Paul Rubens, ‘Het aardse paradijs met de zondeval van Adam en Eva’
Left:
2× Great Tit
Red-and-Green African Grey Pied Flycatcher Rose-ringed Pheasant
Macaw Right: Parrot Parakeet
Pied Flycatcher

Barn Owl Teal Indian Mute Swan Mute Swan Blue-and-yellow

Peafowl Macaw

White-throated Barn Rüppell’s

Toucan Goldfinch Goldfinch Swallow Starling Unidentified

Wild Red-headed Kingfisher Great Bird-of- Teal Surf

Turkey Lovebird paradise Scoter

Right:
Ruff
Goldeneye Grey Heron Western Sturnidae Great Spotted
Left: Swamphen (variety) Woodpecker
Curlew
(variety)

White Stork Nuthatch Unidentified Turtle Dove Tawny Owl Northern

Goshawk

Hoopoe Bullfinch Flycatcher Eagle-owl Magpie Red

(variety) Junglefowl

Golden Oriole White-throated Blue-and-yellow Unidentified Magpie Hoopoe

Toucan Macaw

1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 46 1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 47
 Unidentified House Great Bird-of- Unidentified Unidentified Spotted
Sparrow paradise Redshank

Great Spotted
Unidentified Unidentified Woodpecker Ostrich

Jan van de Cappelle, ‘Schepen voor de kust’

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Aelbert Cuyp, ‘Ruiterportret van Pieter de Roovere’

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Aelbert Cuyp, ‘Boeren en vee bij de Merwede’

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Gerard David, ‘Boslandschap’

Great Tit Unidentified

Karel Dujardin, ‘Italiaans landschap met een jonge herder, spelend met zijn hond’

Unidentified

Carel Fabritius, ‘Het puttertje’

Goldfinch

1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 48 1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 49
Jacob van Geel, ‘Gefantaseerd boslandschap’

Unidentified

Jan van Goyen, ‘Riviergezicht met kerk en boerderij’

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Willem van Haecht, ‘Apelles schildert Campaspe’

Yellow-crowned Indian Red Junglefowl Indian Indian Mute Swan

amazon Peafowl (Pulli) Peafowl Peafowl

Left:
Grey Partridge Greylag Geese
Red Junglefowl Blue Tit Goldfinch and Red
(variety) Right: Junglefowl
Unidentified (variety)

Jan van der Heyden, ‘Gezicht op de Oudezijds Voorburgwal met de Oude Kerk in Amsterdam’

Mute Swan Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Pauwels van Hillegaert, ‘De prinsen van Oranje met familieleden te paard, uitrijdend vanaf
het Buitenhof, Den Haag’

Mute Swan Magpie Unidentified

Meindert Hobbema, ’Boslandschap met boerenhoeven’

Left:
Red Junglefowls
Red Red Unidentified Unidentified Western Marsh
Right: Junglefowl Junglefowl Harrier
Greylag Geese

Unidentified Pelegrine
Falcons

1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 50 1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 51
Hans Holbein the Younger, ‘Portret van een edelman met havik’

Northern
Goshawk

Hans Holbein the Younger, ‘Portret van Robert Cheseman (1485–1547)’

Pelegrine
Falcon

Melchior d’ Hondecoeter (possibly), ‘Dode haan, hangend aan een spijker’

Red
Junglefowl

Melchior d’ Hondecoeter, ‘Kippen en eenden’

Red
Junglefowl Greylag Geese Rock Dove Teal Domestic Duck Domestic Duck
(variety)

Red Red
Domestic Duck Domestic Duck Junglefowl Junglefowl Wigeon Domestic Duck
(pullus) (pullus) (variety) (variety)

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Melchior d’ Hondecoeter, ‘Ganzen en eenden’

Unidentified Greylag Goose Greylag Goose Greylag Goose Domestic Duck Unidentified
(pullus) (pullus) (pullus)

Wigeon Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Magpie

1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 52 1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 53
 Greylag Goose Rock Dove 1
Greylag Goose Greylag Goose Domestic Duck niet groot gennoeg
(pullus) (variety)

Jacob Jordaens, ‘Nimfen knippen de baard van Pan af’

Unidentified Unidentified Barn Swallow Unidentified

Alexander Keirincx, Cornelis van Poelenburch, ‘Boslandschap met figuren’

Great Tit Unidentified Snipe Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Quinten Massys, ‘Maria met kind’

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Gabriël Metsu, ‘De jager’

Rock Dove

Isack van Ostade, ‘Reizigers voor een herberg’

Unidentified Unidentified Red Junglefowl Unidentified

Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem, ‘Jan Baptist Weenix, De roeping van Mattheüs’

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Indian

Peafowl

Paulus Potter, ‘De Stier’

Magpie Herring Gull Herring Gull Herring Gull Herring Gull Herring Gull

1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 54 1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 55
 Herring Gull Herring Gull Herring Gull Herring Gull Unidentified Magpie

Skylark

Roelant Roghman, ‘Berglandschap met waterval’

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Unidentified

Jacob van Ruisdael, ‘Gezicht op kasteel Bentheim’

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Jacob van Ruisdael, ‘Gezicht op Haarlem met bleekvelden’

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Unidentified

Salomon van Ruysdael, ‘Gezicht op Beverwijk vanaf het Wijkermeer’

Unidentified Unidentified

1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 56 1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 57
Salomon van Ruysdael, ‘Riviergezicht met kerk en veerpont’

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Mallard Unidentified Unidentified

Salomon van Ruysdael, ‘Meergezicht met zeilschepen’

Herring Gull Herring Gull Herring Gull Herring Gull

Pieter van Santvoort, ‘Duinlandschap met een landweggetje’

Unidentified

Hercules Seghers, ‘Rivierdal’

Unidentified Unidentified

Frans Snijders, ‘Stilleven met een dode reebok’

Yellow-crowned
Amazon

Jan Steen, ‘Portret van Jacoba Maria van Wassenaer (De Hoenderhof)’

Rock Dove Rock Dove Rock Dove Rock Dove Rock Dove Rock Dove
(variety) (variety) (variety) (variety) (variety) (variety)

Rock Dove Red Red Red Red Red

(variety) Junglefowl Junglefowl Junglefowl Junglefowl Junglefowl
(variety) (variety) (variety) (variety) (variety)

Red Red Red Red Red Red

Junglefowl Junglefowl Junglefowl Junglefowl Junglefowl Junglefowl
(variety) (variety) (variety) (variety) (pulli) (variety)

1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 58 1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 59
 Red Red Red Red Red
Junglefowl Junglefowl Junglefowl Junglefowl Junglefowl Rock Dove
(pullus) (variety) (variety) (variety) (variety)

Red
Rock Dove Pheasant Mallard Junglefowl Wild Turkey Wild Turkey
(variety)

Domestic Duck Domestic Duck Domestic Duck Red Indian Peafowl Mute Swan
Junglefowl

Mute Swan Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Jan Steen, ‘Soo voer gesongen, soo na gepepen’

Scarlet Unidentified
Macaw

David Teniers, ’Keukeninterieur’

Wild Turkey Mute Swan Unidentified Kingfishers Pheasant Grey

Partridge

Adriaen van de Velde, ‘Strandgezicht’

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Esaias van de Velde, ‘Winterlandschap met boerderij’

Rock Dove Unidentified Rock Dove

(variety) (variety)

1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 60 1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 61
Willem van de Velde, ‘Schepen op de rede’

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

Willem van de Velde, ‘Schepen op de rede’

Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified Unidentified

David Vickboons, ‘Boerenkermis’

Greylag Unidentified
Goose

Arie de Vois, ‘Zelfportret als jager’

Grey Unidentified
Partridge

Jan Baptist Weenix, ‘Italiaans landschap met herberg en antieke ruïnes’

Unidentified Unidentified

Rogier van der Weyden (and studio), ‘De bewening van Christus’

Mute Swan Mute Swan Mute Swan

Adam Willaerts, ‘Schepen bij een rotsachtige kust’

Grey Heron Grey Heron Unidentified Unidentified Herring Gull Unidentified

Unidentified Unidentified

1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 62 1.3 The Population of the Mauritshuis 63
 2.1 Camouflage

64 65
 66 2.1 Camouflage 67
2.1 Camouflage 68 2.1 Camouflage 69
2.1 Camouflage 70 2.1 Camouflage 71
2.1 Camouflage 72 2.1 Camouflage 73
2.1 Camouflage 74 2.1 Camouflage 75
2.1 Camouflage 76 2.1 Camouflage 77
2.1 Camouflage 78 2.1 Camouflage 79
 2.2 In Flight

2.1 Camouflage 80 81
 82 2.2 In Flight 83
2.2 In Flight 84 2.2 In Flight 85
2.2 In Flight 86 2.2 In Flight 87
2.2 In Flight 88 2.2 In Flight 89
2.2 In Flight 90 2.2 In Flight 91
2.2 In Flight 92 2.2 In Flight 93
2.2 In Flight 94 2.2 In Flight 95
2.2 In Flight 96 2.2 In Flight 97
2.2 In Flight 98 2.2 In Flight 99
2.2 In Flight 100 2.2 In Flight 101
2.2 In Flight 102 2.2 In Flight 103
2.2 In Flight 104 2.2 In Flight 105
2.2 In Flight 106 2.2 In Flight 107
2.2 In Flight 108 2.2 In Flight 109
2.2 In Flight 110 2.2 In Flight 111
 2.3 Surface Tension

2.2 In Flight 112 113

 114 2.3 Surface Tension 115
2.3 Surface Tension 116 2.3 Surface Tension 117
2.3 Surface Tension 118 2.3 Surface Tension 119
 2.4 Velocity

From the shape of the droppings, it can be deduced whether and how quickly
the bird was in motion. A classification is shown for speed, increasing from
0–60 km/h, or from wood pigeon to mallard.

2.3 Surface Tension 120 121

 122 2.4 Velocity 123
2.4 Velocity 124 2.4 Velocity 125
2.4 Velocity 126 2.4 Velocity 127
2.4 Velocity 128 2.4 Velocity 129
 2.5 Silhouettes

2.4 Velocity 130 131

 132 2.5 Silhouettes 133
2.5 Silhouettes 134 2.5 Silhouettes 135
2.5 Silhouettes 136 2.5 Silhouettes 137
2.5 Silhouettes 138 2.5 Silhouettes 139
2.5 Silhouettes 140 2.5 Silhouettes 141
 3.1 Bird Geometrics

2.5 Silhouettes 142 143

 144 3.1 Bird Geometrics 145
3.1 Bird Geometrics 146 3.1 Bird Geometrics 147
3.1 Bird Geometrics 148 3.1 Bird Geometrics 149
3.1 Bird Geometrics 150 3.1 Bird Geometrics 151
3.1 Bird Geometrics 152 3.1 Bird Geometrics 153
3.1 Bird Geometrics 154 3.1 Bird Geometrics 155
3.1 Bird Geometrics 156 3.1 Bird Geometrics 157
3.1 Bird Geometrics 158 3.1 Bird Geometrics 159
3.1 Bird Geometrics 160 3.1 Bird Geometrics 161
 162 163
3.1 Bird Geometrics 164 3.1 Bird Geometrics 165
3.1 Bird Geometrics 166 3.1 Bird Geometrics 167
3.1 Bird Geometrics 168 3.1 Bird Geometrics 169
3.1 Bird Geometrics 170 3.1 Bird Geometrics 171
3.1 Bird Geometrics 172 3.1 Bird Geometrics 173
3.1 Bird Geometrics 174 3.1 Bird Geometrics 175
 3.2 Migration of a Herring Gull

3.1 Bird Geometrics 176 177

 1
2

12

13 16
3
18

10
4

7
9

15

8
5 14

6 17

11

178 3.2 Migration of a Herring Gull 179

1 Alesund 3 Devon
Norway UK

2 Baltic Sea 4 Bretange

France

3.2 Migration of a Herring Gull 180 3.2 Migration of a Herring Gull 181
5 Barcelona 7 Venice
Spain Italy

6 Calpe 8 Rome
Spain Italy

3.2 Migration of a Herring Gull 182 3.2 Migration of a Herring Gull 183
9 Venice 11 Fuerteventura
Italy Spain

10 Étretat 12 Borkum
France Germany

3.2 Migration of a Herring Gull 184 3.2 Migration of a Herring Gull 185
13 Brighton 15 Tuscany
UK Italy

14 Rome 16 Scheveningen
Italy The Netherlands

3.2 Migration of a Herring Gull 186 3.2 Migration of a Herring Gull 187
17 Kreta 3.3 Symbiosis
Greece

18 Brighton
UK

3.2 Migration of a Herring Gull 188 189

 190 3.3 Symbiosis 191
 3.4 Sonograms

192 193
 194 3.4 Sonograms 195
3.4 Sonograms 196 3.4 Sonograms 197
3.4 Sonograms 198 3.4 Sonograms 199
3.4 Sonograms 200 3.4 Sonograms 201
 3.5 Ostrich Policy

3.4 Sonograms 202 203

 204 3.5 Ostrich Policy 205
3.5 Ostrich Policy 206 3.5 Ostrich Policy 207
3.5 Ostrich Policy 208 3.5 Ostrich Policy 209
3.5 Ostrich Policy 210 3.5 Ostrich Policy 211
3.5 Ostrich Policy 212 3.5 Ostrich Policy 213
3.5 Ostrich Policy 214 3.5 Ostrich Policy 215
 3.6 Group Dynamics

3.5 Ostrich Policy 216 217

 218 3.6 Group Dynamics 219
3.6 Group Dynamics 220 3.6 Group Dynamics 221
3.6 Group Dynamics 222 3.6 Group Dynamics 223
3.6 Group Dynamics 224 3.6 Group Dynamics 225
3.6 Group Dynamics 226 3.6 Group Dynamics 227
3.6 Group Dynamics 228 3.6 Group Dynamics 229
3.6 Group Dynamics 230 3.6 Group Dynamics 231
3.6 Group Dynamics 232 3.6 Group Dynamics 233
3.6 Group Dynamics 234 3.6 Group Dynamics 235
 3.7 Territory

3.6 Group Dynamics 236 237

 238 3.7 Territory 239
 4.1 Nest

The wood pigeon is known for its untidy nests, seemingly thrown together
from loosely arranged twigs, insecurely woven. These are found, platform-like
in bushes or in large trees in wooded districts. Nevertheless a complete
nest still appears to comprise a significant level of organisation. This is
a reproduction of a nest after the young had flown.

240 241
 242 4.1 Nest 243
4.1 Nest 244 4.1 Nest 245
4.1 Nest 246 4.1 Nest 247
4.1 Nest 248 4.1 Nest 249
4.1 Nest 250 4.1 Nest 251
4.1 Nest 252 4.1 Nest 253
4.1 Nest 254 4.1 Nest 255
 4.2 Genetics

4.1 Nest 256 257

 258 4.2 Genetics 259
4.2 Genetics 260 4.2 Genetics 261
 4.3 Holotype*

The cuckoo does not build her own nest, but uses the nest of varies hosts. The
look of the egg is tailored depending on the selection of the host. Therefore,
the typical cuckoo’s egg simply does not exist. In order to propose its holo-
type, all of the cuckoo eggs from the collection of the Natural History Museum
Rotterdam have been digitally combined.

* A holotype is a term used in biological nomenclature. The term is assigned

to a single physical example (or illustration, or several of such), which best
represents the species (or lower ranked taxon). Every living organism on earth
has such a designation, usually by the discoverer, in an original description
of the species.

4.2 Genetics 262 4.3 Holotype 263

 264 4.3 Holotype 265
 5.1 Bird counting

Enumerating birds is an interesting problem of movement in time and space.

Not only does the identification of the species present difficulties, but
also the determination of the approximate number in a given space can be
problematic.

For example, is it better to arrive at the correct number by investigating

a defined fixed frame over time (stationary counting) or is it better to be
self-moving? Should you add birds you only hear and increase the risk of
double counting? Should you count alone or in teams? Photography can offer
tools useful in solving this problem, with various methods being distin-
guishable therein.

266 267
 Sorghvliet Park, The Hague

268 5.1.1 Bird Counting Area 269

Great Spotted Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker Treecreeper Blackbird Great Tit Blue Tit

Treecreeper Mallard Mallard Blue Tit Herring Gull Blackbird

Great Tit Mallards Wood Pigeon Blackbird House Sparrow Great Spotted Woodpecker

Wood Pigeon Blue Tit Blackbird Great Spotted Woodpecker Blue Tit Blackbird

Herring Gull Coots Blackbird Song Trush Wren Rose-ringed Parakeet

5.1.1 Bird Counting Area 270 5.1.1 Bird Counting Area 271
Blue Tit Herring Gulls Great Spotted Woodpecker Carrion Crow Blackbird Great Tit

Great Spotted Woodpecker Magpie Egyptian Goose Blue Tit Blue Tit Blue Tit

Marsh Tit Rose-ringed Parakeets Rose-ringed Parakeets Blue Tit Blue Tit Willow Warbler

Rose-ringed Parakeets Rose-ringed Parakeets Wood Pigeon Willow Warbler Wren Wood Pigeons

Wood Pigeon Wood Pigeon Wood Pigeons Robin Robin Robin

5.1.1 Bird Counting Area 272 5.1.1 Bird Counting Area 273
 Pied Avocet: 1
Mallard: 1

Pied Avocet: 2

Pied Avocet: 3

Pied Avocet: 1

274 5.1.2 Bird Counting Fixed Frame 275

Pied Avocet: 3 Pied Avocet: 3

Black-winged Stilt: 2 Pied Avocet: 2

Pied Avocet: 2 Pied Avocet: 1

Black-winged Stilt: 1

Pied Avocet: 4 Pied Avocet: 6

Spotted Redshank: 1 Mallard: 1

5.1.2 Bird Counting Fixed Frame 276 5.1.2 Bird Counting Fixed Frame 277
Pied Avocet: 7 Pied Avocet: 5
Ruff: 1

Pied Avocet: 7 Pied Avocet: 2

Spotted Redshank: 1 Ruff: 1
Spotted Redshank: 1

Pied Avocet: 2 Pied Avocet: 1

Spotted Redshank: 1

Pied Avocet: 2 Pied Avocet: 3

5.1.2 Bird Counting Fixed Frame 278 5.1.2 Bird Counting Fixed Frame 279
Pied Avocet: 2 Pied Avocet: 5

Pied Avocet: 8 Pied Avocet: 2

Pied Avocet: 3 Pied Avocet: 1

Pied Avocet: 1 Pied Avocet: 3

Black-tailed Godwit: 1

5.1.2 Bird Counting Fixed Frame 280 5.1.2 Bird Counting Fixed Frame 281
 23 × Mallard (male)
12 × Mallard (female)
25 × Coot
22 × Black-headed Gull
01 × Egyptian Goose

282 5.1.3 Bird Counting One Picture 283

5.1.3 Bird Counting One Picture 284 5.1.3 Bird Counting One Picture 285
5.1.3 Bird Counting One Picture 286 5.1.3 Bird Counting One Picture 287
 5.2 Reaction Rate

Herring Gulls: 118

5.1.3 Bird Counting One Picture 288 289

 290 5.2 Reaction Rate 291
 5.3 The Blackness of the Crow

Photographic exercise on making a black crow white.

5.2 Reaction Rate 292 293

 294 5.1 The Blackness of the Crow 295
5.1 The Blackness of the Crow 296 5.1 The Blackness of the Crow 297
5.1 The Blackness of the Crow 298 5.1 The Blackness of the Crow 299
5.1 The Blackness of the Crow 300 5.1 The Blackness of the Crow 301
5.1 The Blackness of the Crow 302 5.1 The Blackness of the Crow 303
5.1 The Blackness of the Crow 304 5.1 The Blackness of the Crow 305
 6.1 Unidentified Spiecies

5.1 The Blackness of the Crow 306 307

 308 6.1 Unidentified Spiecies 309
6.1 Unidentified Spiecies 310 6.1 Unidentified Spiecies 311
 6.2 The Whiteness of the Wood Pigeon’s egg

The eggs of the wood pigeon are pearly white, and relatively conspicuous.
Such eggs are produced mostly by birds which remain in their nest during
breeding or make their nests in cavities. Wood pigeons often leave the
nest and are sloppy nest builders (see Chapter 4.1). Consequently the lack
of pigment in their eggs is puzzling and to date, no one has proposed an
undisputed explanation.

6.1 Unidentified Spiecies 312 313

 314 6.2 The Whiteness of the Wood Pigeon’s Egg 315
6.2 The Whiteness of the Wood Pigeon’s Egg 316 6.2 The Whiteness of the Wood Pigeon’s Egg 317
6.2 The Whiteness of the Wood Pigeon’s Egg 318 6.2 The Whiteness of the Wood Pigeon’s Egg 319
 6.3 Unexplained Phenomena

6.2 The Whiteness of the Wood Pigeon’s Egg 320 321

 322 6.3 Unexplained Phenomena 323
6.3 Unexplained Phenomena 324 6.3 Unexplained Phenomena 325
6.3 Unexplained Phenomena 326 6.3 Unexplained Phenomena 327
6.3 Unexplained Phenomena 328 329
A Accipiter gentilis 45, 46, 52, 53
Acrocephalus scirpaceus 34, 35, 197, 201
African Grey Parrot, Psittacus erithacus 46, 47
Agapornis pullarius 46, 47
Agelaius xanthomus 261
Alauda arvensis 56, 57
Alcedo atthis 46, 47, 60, 61, 260
Alopochen aegyptiacus 272, 283
Amazona ochrocephala 50, 51, 58, 59
American Flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber 212, 262
Anas crecca 46, 47, 52, 53
Anas penelope 52, 53
Anas platyrhynchos 58, 59, 100, 120, 121, 166, 270, 275, 277,
283, 324, 325
Anas platyrhynchos domesticus 52, 53, 60, 61
Anser albifrons 100, 101, 158, 159
Anser anser 52–55, 62, 63, 213, 221
Anthus, see Meadow Pipet
Anthus pratensis 22, 23
Aquila pomarina 22, 23
Ara ararauna 46, 47
Ara chloropterus 46, 47
Ara macao 60, 61
Ardea alba 26, 27, 262
Ardea cinerea 44–47, 62, 63, 216, 224, 229
Asio otus 24, 25
Athene noctua 32, 33
Atlantic Canary, Serinus canaria 260, 262
Aythya fuligula 172–174
B Balearica regulorum 205
Barn Owl, Tyto alba 46, 47
Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica 38, 39, 46, 47, 54, 55
Beccafico, see Garden Warbler
Bewick’s Swan, Cygnus c. Bewickii 292
Bittern, Botaurus stellaris 26, 27
Black-headed Gull,
Chroicocephalus ridibundus 171, 232, 235, 283
Black-headed Tit, see Marsh Tit
Black Kite, Milvus migrans 28, 29
Black Swan, Cygnus atratus 323
Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa 281
Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus 276
Blackbird, Turdus merula 71, 83, 85, 86, 88, 270, 271, 273
Blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla 20, 21
Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Ara ararauna 46, 47
Blue Tit, Cyanistes caeruleus 44, 45, 50, 51, 78, 109–112, 270–273
Botaurus stellaris 26, 27
Bubo bubo 46, 47
Bubulcus ibis 161
Budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus 259
Bucephala clangula 46, 47
Bullfinch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula 44–47
C Caprimulgus europaeus 30, 31
Carduelis carduelis 43–51, 93, 261
Carrion Crow, Corvus corone 84, 89, 92, 95, 101, 156, 261, 262, 273,
293–306
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis 161
Certhia familiaris 38, 39, 270
Chicken, see Red Junglefowl
Chroicocephalus ridibundus 171, 232, 235, 283
Ciconia ciconia 34, 35, 46, 47
Circus aeruginosus 50, 51
Coconut Lorikeet, Trichoglossus haematodus 32, 33
Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto 70, 75
Columba livia 52–55, 58–61, 151, 191
Columba livia domestica 18, 19, 73, 83, 87–89, 91–96, 98, 99, 102,
103, 106, 151, 164, 216, 219, 224, 226, 227
Columba palumbus 11, 13–15, 80, 87, 92, 121, 241–257, 270, 272,
273, 291, 313–320
Coot, Fulica atra 77, 115–120, 169, 207, 211, 221, 270, 283,
324, 327
Copsychus saularis 202
Corvus cornix 44, 45, 112
Corvus corone 84, 89, 92, 95, 101, 156, 261, 262, 273, 293–306
Corvus monedula 84, 90, 110, 111
Bird Index 330
Coturnix coturnix 34, 35
Crake, see Water Rail
Crane, Grus grus 24, 25, 145
Crow, see Carrion Crow
Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus 18, 19, 263, 265
Cuculus canorus 18, 19, 263, 265
Curlew, Numenius arquata 46, 47
Cyanistes caeruleus 44, 45, 50, 51, 78, 109–112, 270–273
Cygnus atratus 323
Cygnus c. Bewickii 292
Cygnus olor 46, 47, 50, 51, 60, 61, 210
D Delichon urbicun 94, 97
Dendrocopos major 46–49, 261, 270–272
Domestic Duck, Anas platyrhynchos domesticus 52–55 60, 61
E Eagle, see Lesser Spotted Eagle
Eagle-owl, Bubo bubo 46, 47
Eared Owl, Asio otus 24, 25
Eastern Bluebird, Sialia sialis 260
Egyptian Goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus 272, 283
Erithacus rubecula 18, 19, 273
Evening Grosbeak, Hesperiphona vespertina 261
F Falco peregrinus 50–53
Feral Pigeon, Columba livia domestica 18, 19, 73, 83, 87–89, 91–96, 98, 99, 102,
103, 106, 151, 164, 216, 219, 224, 226, 227
Ficedula hypoleuca 46, 47
Forpus conspicillatus 328
Fulica atra 77, 115–120, 169, 207, 211, 221, 270, 283,
324, 327
G Gallinula chloropus 327
Gallus gallus 46, 47, 50–55, 58–61, 67, 231, 239
Gallus gallus domesticus brisson 206
Garden Warbler, Sylvia borin 20, 21
Garrulus glandarius 28, 29
Goat-sucker, see Nightjar
Golden Oriole, Oriolus oriolus 30, 31, 46, 47
Goldeneye, Bucephala clangula 46, 47
Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis 43–51, 93, 261
Great Bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea apoda 46–49
Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo 107, 176
Great Egret, Ardea alba 26, 27, 262
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos major 46–49, 261, 270–272
Great Tit, Parus major 46–49, 54, 55, 85, 262, 270, 271, 273
Great White Pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus 32, 33
Greater Rhea, Rhea americana 215
Greater White-fronted Goose, Anser albifrons 100, 101, 158, 159
Green Woodpecker, Picus viridis 44, 45
Grey Crowned Crane, Balearica regulorum 205
Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea 44–47, 62, 63, 216, 224, 229
Grey Partridge, Perdix perdix 24, 25, 50, 51, 60–63
Greylag Goose, Anser anser 52–55, 62, 63, 213, 221
Grus grus 24, 25, 145
H Halcyon, see White-throated Kingfisher
Halcyon smyrnensis 28, 29
Haliaeetus albicilla 36, 37
Herring Gull, Larus argentatus 54–59, 62, 63, 74, 99, 104–106, 156, 177,
180–188, 195, 224, 232, 235, 270–272, 284–288
Hesperiphona vespertina 261
Himantopus himantopus 276
Hirundo rustica 38, 39, 46, 47, 54, 55
Hooded Crow, Corvus cornix 44, 45, 112
Hoopoe, Upupa epops 46, 47, 228, 229, 262
House Martin, Delichon urbicun 94, 97
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus 38, 39, 48, 49, 68, 69, 76, 153, 154, 222,
223, 271
I Indian Peafowl, Pavo cristatus 46, 47, 50, 51, 54, 55, 60, 61, 209
J Jay, Garrulus glandarius 28, 29
K Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis 46, 47, 60, 61, 260
Kite, see Black Kite
L Lamprotornis purpuroptera 46, 47
Larus argentatus 54–59, 62, 63, 74, 99, 104–106, 156, 177,
180–188, 195, 224, 232, 235, 270–272, 284–288
Lesser Spotted Eagle, Aquila pomarina 22, 23
Limosa limosa 281
Little Horned Owl, Otus scops 24, 25
Little Owl, Athene noctua 32, 33
Bird Index 331
 Luscinia megarhynchos 30, 31, 79
M Magpie, Pica pica 44–47, 50–57, 262, 272, 324
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos 58–61, 100, 120, 121, 166, 270, 275, 277,
283, 324, 325
Marsh Tit, Poecile palustris 20, 21, 272
Meadow Pipet, Anthus pratensis 22, 23
Melanitta perspicillata 46, 47
Meleagris gallopavo 46, 47, 60, 61
Melopsittacus undulatus 259
Merganser, Mergus merganser 168
Mergus merganser 168
Milvus migrans 28, 29
Monk Parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus 67
Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus 327
Motacilla alba 40, 41, 72
Mountain Bluebird, Sialia currucoides 260
Mute Swan, Cygnus olor 46, 47, 50, 51, 60, 61, 210
Myiopsitta monachus 67
N Nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos 30, 31, 79
Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus 30, 31
Northern Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis 46, 47, 52, 53
Numenius arquata 46, 47
Nuthatch, Sitta europaea 30, 31, 44–47
Nyctea scandiaca 262
O Oriental Magpie-robin, Copsychus saularis 202
Oriole, see Golden Oriole
Oriolus oriolus 30, 31, 46, 47
Ostrich, Struthio camelus 48, 49, 203–216
Otus scops 24, 25
Owl, see Little Owl
P Paradisaea apoda 46–49
Parrot, see Coconut Lorikeet
Partridge, see Grey Partridge
Parus major 46–49, 54, 55, 85, 262, 270, 271, 273
Passer domesticus 38, 39, 48, 49, 68, 69, 153, 154, 222, 223, 271
Pavo cristatus 46, 47, 50, 51, 54, 55, 60, 61, 209
Pelecanus onocrotalus 32, 33
Pelegrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus 50–53
Pelican, see Great White Pelican
Perdix perdix 24, 25, 50, 51, 60–63
Phalacrocorax carbo 107, 176
Phasianus colchicus 46, 47, 60, 61
Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus 46, 47, 60, 61
Philomachus pugnax 46, 47, 279
Phoenicopterus ruber 212, 262
Phoenicurus phoenicurus 18, 19
Phylloscopus trochilus 273
Pica pica 44–47, 50, 51, 54–57, 262, 272, 324
Picus viridis 44, 45
Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta 275–281
Pied Flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca 46, 47
Pigeon, see Feral Pigeon
Poecile palustris 20, 21, 272
Porphyrio porphyrio 46, 47
Psittacula krameri 46, 47, 108, 271, 272
Psittacus erithacus 46, 47
Pyrrhula pyrrhula 44–47
Q Quail, Coturnix coturnix 34, 35
R Rallus aquaticus 22, 23
Ramphastos tucanus 46, 47
Recurvirostra avosetta 275–281
Red-and-Green Macaw, Ara chloropterus 46, 47
Red-headed Lovebird, Agapornis pullarius 46, 47
Red Junglefowl, Gallus gallus 46, 47, 50–55, 58–61, 67, 231, 239
Redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus 18, 19
Reed-warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus 34, 35, 197, 201
Rhea americana 215
Robin, Erithacus rubecula 18, 19, 273
Rock Dove, Columba livia 52–55, 58–61, 151, 191
Rose-ringed Parakeet, Psittacula krameri 46, 47, 108, 271, 272
Ruff, Philomachus pugnax 46, 47, 279
Rüppell’s Starling,
Lamprotornis purpuroptera 46, 47
S Scarlet Macaw, Ara macao 60, 61
Sea-eagle, see White-tailed Eagle
Bird Index 332
Serinus canaria 260, 262
Sialia currucoides 260
Sialia sialis 260
Silkie, Gallus gallus domesticus brisson 206
Sitta, see Nuthatch
Sitta europaea 30, 31, 44–47
Skylark, Alauda arvensis 56, 57
Snowy Owl, Nyctea scandiaca 262
Song Thrush, Turdus philomelos 271
Sparrow, see House Sparrow
Speckled Heron, see Bittern
Spectacled Parrotlet, Forpus conspicillatus 328
Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythropus 276, 278, 279
Starling, Sturnus vulgaris 90, 91, 97, 98, 100, 101, 146, 147, 149,
152, 153, 162, 163, 236
Stork, see White Stork
Streptopelia decaocto 70, 75
Streptopelia turtur 40, 41, 46, 47
Strix aluco 46, 47
Struthio camelus 48, 49, 203–216
Sturnus vulgaris 90, 91, 97, 98, 100, 101, 146, 147, 149,
152, 153, 162, 163, 236
Surf Scoter, Melanitta perspicillata 46, 47
Sylvia atricapilla 20, 21
Sylvia borin 20, 21
T Tawny Owl, Strix aluco 46, 47
Teal, Anas crecca 46, 47, 52, 53
Treecreeper, Certhia familiaris 38, 39, 270
Trichoglossus haematodus 32, 33
Tringa erythropus 276, 278, 279
Troglodytes troglodytes 32, 40, 41
Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula 172–174
Turdus merula 71, 83, 85, 86, 88, 270, 271, 273
Turdus philomelos 271
Turtle Dove, Streptopelia turtur 40, 41, 46, 47
Tyto alba 46, 47
U Upupa epops 46, 47, 228, 229, 262
W Wagtail, see White Wagtail
Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus 22, 23
Western Jackdaw, Corvus monedula 84, 90, 110, 111
Western Marsh Harrier, Circus aeruginosus 50, 51
Western Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio 46, 47
White Heron, see Great Egret
White Stork, Ciconia ciconia 34, 35, 46, 47
White-tailed Eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla 36, 37
White-throated Kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis 28, 29
White-throated Toucan, Ramphastos tucanus 46, 47
White Wagtail, Motacilla alba 40, 41, 72
Wigeon, Anas penelope 52, 53
Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo 46, 47, 60, 61
Willow Warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus 273
Wood Pigeon, Columba palumbus 11, 13–15, 80, 87, 92, 121, 241–257, 270,
272, 273, 291, 313–320
Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes 32, 40, 41
Y Yellow-crowned Amazon, Amazona ochrocephala 50, 51, 58, 59
Yellow-shouldered Blackbird,
Agelaius xanthomus 261
Bird Index 333
 – Bernard Acworth, ‘The Cuckoo and other Bird Mysteries’, Eyre & Spottiswoode, Ornithology Anne Geene & Arjan de Nooy
London 1946
– Hubertus von Amelunxen, ‘Die aufgehobene Zeit-Die Erfindung der Photographie Photography and text: Anne Geene & Arjan de Nooy
durch William Henry Fox Talbot’, Nishen, Berlin 1988
– Aristotle, ‘Historia Animalium’ (‘History of Animals’, translated by D’Arcy Graphic design: Jeremy Jansen
Wentworth Thompson), Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1910
– W. Geoffrey Arnot, ‘Birds in the Ancient World from A to Z’, Routledge, Publisher: Uitgeverij de HEF publishers
London/New York 2007
– Tim Birkhead, ‘De wijsheid van vogels - Een geïllustreerde geschiedenis van Printing: Drukkerij Tielen, Boxtel
de ornithologie’, De bezige bij, Amsterdam 2008
– Robert Burton, ‘Vogels over de vloer’, Bosch en Keuning, London 1990 Binding: Hexspoor, Boxtel
– Matthias Depoorter, ‘Vliegwerk - Vogels in de kunst’, Athenaeum-Polak & Van
Gennep, Amsterdam 2015 Special thanks: Larry J. Schaaf, Kees Moeliker (Natural History Museum
– John Falconer, Louise Hide, ‘Points of View - Capturing the 19th century in Rotterdam), Marc Tinnemans, Mischa Poppe (Stroom
Photographs’, The British Library, London 2009 Den Haag), Johan Deumens (Johan Deumens Gallery),
– Gustave Flaubert, ‘Bouvard en Pécuchet’, Uitgeverij De Arbeiderspers, Charlie Smelt (Tandartsenpraktijk Rijnsburgersingel),
Amsterdam 1988 Petra Cardinaal (Pennings Gallery), Charles Brosens
– Joan Fontcuberta, Pere Formiguera, ‘Fauna’, Photovision, Utrera 1999 (Vogelrevalidatiecentrum Zundert), Teunie de Brouwer,
– Helmut Gernsheim, ‘The Origins of Photography’, Thames and Hudson, New York Quentin Buvelot (Mauritshuis), Kevin Rooney, Ruud Vlek,
1982 Anne Mieke Backer & Arij de Boode (Uitgeverij de HEF
– Frank B. Gill, ‘Ornithology’, W.H. Freeman and Company, New York 1995 publishers).
– Stephen Gill, ‘A Book of Birds’, SUPER LABO, Kanagawa 2010
– Jan Hanzák, ‘Birds’ Eggs and Nests’, Hamlyn Publishing Group, London 1971 All images of the Mauritshuis paintings were kindly
– H. Heinzel, R. Fitter, J.F. Parslow, provided by the Mauritshuis, The Hague.
‘Elseviers gids van de Europese vogels’, Tirion Baarn 1987
– Carrol L. Hendreson, ‘Oology & Ralph’s Talking Eggs’, University of Texas ©2016 Anne Geene & Arjan de Nooy
Press, Austin 2007
– Harri Kallio, ‘The Dodo and Mauritius Island: Imaginary Encounters’, Dewi www.annegeene.com
Lewis Publishing 2005 www.arjandenooy.com
– Jochen Lempert, ‘Coevolution’, edited by Eva Schmidt, Museum für
Gegenwartskunst Siegen, Cologne 2006 Uitgeverij de HEF publishers, Rotterdam,
– Jochen Lempert, ‘Phenotype’, Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther König, Köln 2013 The Netherlands
– Killian Mullarney, Lars Svensson, Dan Zetterström & Peter J. Grant, ‘ANWB
Vogelgids van Europa’, Tirion Uitgevers, Baarn 2009 www.dehefpublishers.nl
– Luc Pauwels, ‘Visual Cultures of Science’, Dartmouth College Press, Lebanon
2006 ISBN 978-90-6906-049-1
– R.T. Peterson, G. Mountfort, P.A.D. Hollom, ‘Petersons vogelgids’, Elsevier
Amsterdam/Brussel 1979 This publication was made possible with generous
– Salvo, ‘The Sneezing Man’, Periodical for Photography No. 2, The Hague/ support of Stroom Den Haag and the Mondriaan Fund
Amsterdam 2013
– Larry J. Schaaf, ‘The Photographic Art of William Henry Fox Talbot’, Princeton
University Press, Princeton/Oxford 2003
– P. Staffeleu, ‘Preparing and Mounting a Starling, Step by Step’, Uitgeverij
Èlvé en De Vestwal, Leiden 1992
– Erwin Stresemann, ‘Ornithology From Aristotle to the Present’, Harvard
University Press, Cambridge/London 1975
– Harald Stümpke, ‘The Snouters’, The Natural History Press, New York 1967
– Michael Walters, ‘Birds’ Eggs’, Dorling Kindersley, New York 1994
– ‘Vogeleieren Atlas’, Meulenhoff, Amsterdam (date unknown)

Bibliography 334 Colophon 335