A very peculiar bird: Whimbrel

Since I first heard its name, Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), I felt a special affection for this charadriiform bird from the Scolopacidae family; its name is original, fun, endearing, different… perhaps like me, and that’s why I often gave myself that name and came to identify with it. It’s a small bird (40 centimeters in length and 80 in wingspan; weighing about 430 grams), just as I’m small too and no less important for it.
 
It’s a great traveler (I also love to travel a lot) and shows a special preference for Nordic countries (my favorites too), where it usually spends the summer season (May to August) and breeds, laying four eggs (they beat me there because I only had three kids, not four). Incubation lasts 35 to 40 days, and since it’s not sexist (neither am I), male and female take turns in this task. Their love for freedom and independence is so deep (just like mine) that the chicks leave the nest a few days after hatching and can fly within 40 days.
 
Its presence doesn’t go unnoticed. Whimbrels are the largest waders in European fauna. Their plumage isn’t very striking, but they have a distinctive feature that makes them unmistakable: their long, curved beak, which seems disproportionate for such a small head.
 
They undertake long migrations to spend the winter in West Africa and—occasionally—some stop to rest at the Tablas de Daimiel National Park (exactly where I grew up). It feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, worms, insects, and fruits (our food tastes do differ). The curve of its beak adapts perfectly to the shape of crab burrows: it extracts the crab, washes it if muddy (I’m very clean too), and sometimes breaks its claws and legs before swallowing to avoid choking.
 
It’s known by many varied names:
 
German: Regenbrachvogel
Czech: Koliha malá
Danish: Småspove (Lille Regnspove)
Daimieleño: Vicente Fisac
Slovak: Mali skurh
Spanish: Zarapito trinador
Estonian: Väikekoovitaja ehk
Finnish: Pikkukuovi
French: Courlis corlieu
Dutch: Regenwulp
Hungarian: Kis póling
English: Whimbrel
Icelandic: Spói
Italian: Chiurlo piccolo
Norwegian: Småspove
Polish: Kulik mniejszy
Portuguese: Maçarico-galego
Romanian: Fliaun pitschen
Swedish: Småspov 
 
So now you know: The Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is an endearing and very peculiar bird, just like me. 

An enthralling story of love, friendship and honor in the Olympic Games (2,600 years ago)
“Life debt”: https://a.co/d/hono34C

A milestone in the study of Consciousness

In July 2012, a significant event took place at the University of Cambridge (UK) that would redefine how we understand consciousness, not only in humans but also in animals. The "Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness" emerged from the "Francis Crick Memorial Conference on Consciousness in Humans and Non-Human Animals," marking a turning point in the field of neuroscience and animal ethics.
 
The conference, organized in honor of the renowned neuroscientist Francis Crick, brought together experts from various disciplines to discuss the neurological basis of consciousness. Among the attendees and signatories of the declaration were notable figures such as Jaak Panksepp, Diana Reiss, David Edelman, Bruno Van Swinderen, and Christof Koch. The declaration was drafted by Philip Low and reviewed by this group of scientists, signed in the presence of Stephen Hawking, which underscored its significance.
 
The 2012 Cambridge Declaration explicitly states:
 
"Convergent evidence indicates that non-human animals have the neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and neurophysiological substrates of conscious states along with the capacity to exhibit intentional behaviors. Therefore, we conclude that humans are not the unique possessors of the neurological substrates that generate consciousness."
 
This declaration is significant because:
 
It includes mammals and birds: It specifically notes that both mammals and birds have the neurological foundations for consciousness.
Mentions other animals: It also suggests that other organisms, like octopuses, might possess these neurobiological substrates, although more research is required.
Recognizes intentional behaviors: It acknowledges that certain behaviors in non-human animals can be indicative of consciousness.
 
The Cambridge Declaration has several profound implications:
 
Animal ethics and welfare: By recognizing that animals can experience conscious states, it reinforces the need to reconsider animal welfare practices in agriculture, experimentation, and conservation.
Animal rights: This recognition could catalyze more robust policies for animal protection, supporting the argument that animals have rights based on their ability to feel and be conscious.
Scientific research: It influences how neuroscience and comparative biology studies are conducted, encouraging more empathetic and respectful research towards animal subjects.
Public education and awareness: It provides a scientific foundation for educating the public about the complexity of animals, fostering greater empathy and understanding towards them.
 
However, the declaration does not specify the degree or complexity of consciousness in different species, leaving room for varied interpretations about how "conscious" animals are. While it points to the existence of neurological substrates for consciousness, more studies are needed to fully understand how consciousness manifests in different animals. Additionally, the application of these findings into laws and cultural practices remains pending.
 
We can conclude that the 2012 "Cambridge Declaration" is more than a document; it's an invitation to rethink our relationship with the animal world. It has opened doors for a more informed and ethical dialogue about consciousness, impacting not just science but also philosophy, ethics, and politics. As we continue to explore the animal mind, this declaration will serve as a beacon, reminding us that consciousness is a phenomenon more widespread in the animal kingdom than we had previously imagined.

 

An enthralling story of love, friendship and honor in the Olympic Games (2,600 years ago)
“Life debt” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon): https://a.co/d/hono34C