(Turdoides nipalensis)
(Turdoides nipalensis)
Hello Ecosystem Engineers!
Today we are going to veer further off track than usual. Recently I read a Mongabay Article written by Bibek Bhandari called “A shy bird found only in Nepal is waiting for the world to notice.” It talks about a species called the Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nipalensis), which is endemic to Nepal, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. It’s mysterious, unique, and poorly researched.
Unfortunately, this is a fate that befalls many species out there, especially if they are concentrated in one place and not super colorful. Don’t get me wrong, it is a gorgeous bird with brown and cream feathers and a white face that frames striking blue eyes, but when compared to the flashy radiance of other songbirds that are more common and behaviorally bold, it’s easy to get lost.
Here in California, we have hundreds of endemic plants and animals that many Californians have never heard of. In a way, I feel I have robbed you all, because I haven’t had a Cal Native article focused on any California endemics —The Sculpted Puffball is up for debate. I think this is because I’ve been focused on species I’ve personally encountered. I’ve gotten nowhere near the end of that list, but my list of California endemics is a lot smaller, but not nothing. In the future, I will definitely be highlighting them more, because they are amazing!
Today though, I’m highlighting the Spiny Babbler for three reasons:
Endemic species deserve more love overall, especially for those that live in those areas. I don’t know if anyone in my audience is from Nepal, but I heard once that all humans are only separated from each other by a few degrees. So if you know anyone in Nepal who would love to hear about this bird, share the Mongabay article!
The Article itself is essentially a call to action asking the world to notice this bird. So even if we don’t reach anyone from Nepal, us knowing is something. It opens up the world just a little bit more. While I focus on my immediate non-human neighbors in California, in the grand scheme of things all organisms are our neighbors.
In a world where the climate is warming, millions of species are at risk, whether or not we know anything about them. I hope to expand that knowledge with this newsletter, because you can’t protect something you don’t know.
Link to the Mongabay Article:
Today’s Art:
Today’s piece is, of course, the Spiny Babbler. I used Clip Studio Paint, and it took me about 3 hours and 10 minutes to complete. I was very proud of myself because I actually recorded a speedpaint for this one. Downside is the recording is shifted in the frame because I had my reference open off-screen and forgot to fix it, so… it looks wonky. I’ve got some video editing to do for other art pieces, so once those are done, you guys will be the first to know.
Reference is here: https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/49148241
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