Ornithologist and adventurer, Noah Strycker He toured more than 40 countries from the seven continents, establishing a world record by finding 6,042 bird species – more than half of those on Earth – in a year. His book “That thing with feathers” (Ed. Captain Swing) is the result of this trip. In it, choose several bird species, which uses as a vehicle to place us in front of the mirror: what does the behavior of certain species say about us? The answers fit naturally into the three categories that divide the book: Bird Physiology (Body), Intelligence (Mind) and Behavior (Spirit).
Of all the unusual behaviors you have seen, which one more challenged your previous ideas about what “being a bird” means?
What means being a bird differs greatly according to the type of bird. Some triumph long distances to migrate, entering toxic waters, building elaborate nests, singing and dancing, putting their eggs in the nests of other birds so that they take care of them or adapting to humans. I always knew that crows are intelligent birds, but I was surprised how avengeing they can become, keeping grudges that transmit to their friends and family, and their impressive ability to manufacture tools with which to get food. The behavior of crows is very similar to that of humans (laughs).
You say that some birds show “human” behaviors … which one moved you the most?
I personally move the Maluros to work for the common good. In Australia, I watched as the northern purple crown malures reproduce cooperatively, everyone raises their tribe. The Maluridos of one and two years help mature couples to feed their chicks that are not theirs, without obtaining any benefit of it, except to have the opportunity to practice before embarking on their own way.
He has observed birds a lot. What do you think they reveal about ourselves?
Observe birds – and reflect on what we see – can teach us life lessons. Do you know the American cortexerito? In my own garden, I have spent many hours watching this species, also known as the Pardo climbing, a small bird that climbs through the bark of the trunks of the trees to hunt insects. When a climber finally reaches the glass of a tree, it flies to the base of another tree and starts again. That bird never surrenders. We often overlook in ourselves the powerful rewards of simply persevere, even when things get difficult.
Speaking of conservation, where do we draw the line between protecting and damaging when intervening?
The line between conservation and cruelty can be very fine and depends on the circumstances. For example, in the United States, the American or listed owl is displacing the mottled owl, a species that is in decline and almost threatened. I do not agree at all with the government’s proposal, which is to kill half a million listed owls, which would probably not work anyway. On the other hand, I have no problem with the capture and sacrifice of invading European starlings in specific places to protect the resident species that nest there.
If birds could vote, what policy would they support without hesitation?
As a penguin researcher, I am especially concerned with the future of Antarctica, for global warming and the disappearance of sea ice. If they could vote, the penguins would defend that large -scale policies against climate change.
What species does your dream take away for fear of disappearing?
I used to worry a lot about the picomarfil carpenter bird, I even participated in an expedition to look for it in the Florida swamps, along the Choctawhatchee river … but I fear that it has started. It has become extinct. At this time, I find it really heartbreaking to see how tropical and insular birds are extinguished throughout the world. They are freeing a lost battle against invading birds, introduced pests, diseases and habitat loss. And they don’t have to go.
What do you think about the idea of resuscitating extinct species with genetic engineering?
I am totally in favor of doing anything to increase the worldwide diversity of birds, and that includes using technology to recover extinct species if possible. Why not?
What has been your most unusual attempt to attract a bird?
I would say that what I did when I was 16 takes the palm. I saw an episode of a David Attenborough program on the tropical jungle of Trinidad, in which the famous explorer buries a fillet under some leaves on the forest floor and a vulture flies directly to the place, removes the leaves and eats the meat. I thought: “That is the best idea I’ve ever seen, I have to try it at home!” I found a deer hit and smelly, put it in my car, took it home and left it in a field. When I woke up the next morning, there were American vultures everywhere, probably between 30 or 40, posed on the roof of the house, flying in circles on my head and posed in the trees. It was like magic to see the vultures have breakfast. That absurd idea really worked! Those vultures really captivated me. They changed my life.