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some animal studies, redrawn from photos

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The correct answer is on the rise but still in third place (at present) due to my obnoxious standardized testing type question format. Regardless a lot of people got this instantly!

For those unfamiliar, a college fight song is typically sung during American football games for fun/ camaraderie. They tend to include a lot of nonsense phrases as you can see. That said, I think Tulane’s section could be workable as a mnemonic for the Blue Jay.

Here’s an answer key for those curious. Correct answer is the signature Conk La Ree of the RWBB

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so, many of you have probably seen news about one of the first recorded severe case of HPAI (avian flu) in humans.

a lot of you who follow me are birders or inatters or adjacent. hence, a lot of you guys have birdfeeders.

from a rehab worker of almost 3 years: Disinfect your goddamn feeders. not only for HPAI but other diseases, such as avian pox, and for the safety of the birds

and of course, heres how!

now here at rehab we use rescue to disinfect, which is a big ol fancy thing that looks like this

for all our stuff. it's about 1-2tbsp rescue per 32oz water. however, most of you guys cant get a hold of it. so, heres some other things suggested by friends & coworkers that will work just as well

-diluted hydrogen peroxide

-bleach (diluted)

etc. in addition, it's best to use the hottest water you can handle in order to kill off more viruses (our industrial washer does up to 200°F, but whatever you can works just as well.)

the most important thing here is to USE GLOVES!!! PLEASE. pair of gloves to wash it and preferably when youre rinsing it use a DIFFERENT pair of gloves so it doesnt get dirty again.

lastly, if youre seeing visibly uninjured dead birds in your yard, lethargic birds at your feeder, red discolouration or growths on exposed skin, blood on your feeder, or anything else you might deem unusual, take down your feeder. the birds will get food elsewhere i promise, just leave it down for two weeks at least and sterilize it using any of the steps above.

also. please dont hand feed birds. yes even ducks. please please ignore what you see on instagram, it only creates more work for rehabbers. this includes trying to camouflage yourself and feed the birds from your hand when they dont know youre a person. it only hurts you and the birds, and yes this includes hummingbirds. do not try and feed birds off of yourself directly. please. thank you

be safe, clean your feeders, and happy birding!

in addition, below is an approximate of the procedure we use at my work to prevent outbreaks in our residents/patients.

changing aprons between birds, esp for personable birds (assimilated to people, like to fly onto you), switch gloves between birds, between touching hoses, etc. spray or dip + scrape shoes into rescue/accel solution before entering enclosures & or buildings.

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how many people who would thrive in academia have been lost due to the systemic obstacles in their paths while those who don’t truly have an academic bone in their body go on to become professors. sad.

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Sleek and elegant in the extreme, the green anole (Anolis carolensis) is one of the finest looking lizards one can see. They're also the subject of an interesting evolutionary story that is occurring before our eyes. Green anoles in the southeastern united states began facing significant pressure from competition when the non-native brown anole was introduced from the Caribbean. With their previous ecological niche suddenly over-crowded, the green anole moved higher into the treetops where brown anoles don't hunt. Since the introduction of the other species, green anoles have even evolved larger toe pads to better grip branches.

As you can see from his confident prowling, up here in the treetops he is already very much at home.

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Eastern box turtles will always have a special place in my heart

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the anesthetic apparently hasn't fully worn off yet

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turtles

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Good eye @otteroflore! The juvenile crane can be spotted with a less crimson crown, as its adult plumage is still coming in here.

One of the best things about winter in Florida is the influx of Sandhill cranes! There are resident Sandhill cranes in the state year round, but during the winter months the population of this species more than doubles due to snowbirding visitors from up north. They'll stay for a few months and then head back home in the spring.

Sandhill cranes can live to be over twenty years old in the wild; can you spot the youngest member of this group? 👀

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One of the best things about winter in Florida is the influx of Sandhill cranes! There are resident Sandhill cranes in the state year round, but during the winter months the population of this species more than doubles due to snowbirding visitors from up north. They'll stay for a few months and then head back home in the spring.

Sandhill cranes can live to be over twenty years old in the wild; can you spot the youngest member of this group? 👀

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Lolo the Pallas's cat at the Novosibirsk Zoo is proudly showing off her seven fluffy cubs, and letting us watch them be kittens as well!!!!!!!!

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paintings round 3 poll 28

Radiant sunset by Wojciech Weiss, 1902:

propaganda: Takie słońce, co przeszywa cię na wylot [a sun that burns right through you]

Flight of the cranes by Józef Chełmoński, 1871:

propaganda: I have no big words, I just love the colors here. Also remainds me of standing at the kitchen window and watch the cranes on the fields.

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I hate those 'computer screen remodelled into an aquarium' things so much. There is NEVER enough space for the species they put in there. 'Omg look at the goldfish that ive put in this old computer' tHOSE NEED 600L. I DOUBT THAT SCREEN IS EVEN 30.

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Lots of folks dislike cowbirds due to their macabre start to life, but even their most ardent detractors can't deny that the behavior of this species is remarkable. The fact that every bird in a flock of hundreds has been raised by different unwitting songbird "parents" is truly mind-boggling. For these babies to leave their nests and be able to find, recognize, and understand one another is a natural marvel of instinct and intuition.

Pictured here, a tender moment between a male and female Brown-headed cowbird.

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Scenes from a day in the life of a Brown-headed cowbird