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Mist-netting and passerine bird banding in Alfred, NY
Introduction to mist netting and banding birds
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Parrot nutrition- what do they need to eat to thrive
*disclaimer*This post is based on a paper I wrote for an animal nutrition class, so it’s a bit long. Parrots are primarily found in the tropics and often are associated with tropical paradise imagery. There are over 350 species in the order Psittaciformes, which are commonly referred to as parrots. This order is divided into…
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The Nutritional Ecology of Bird Migration
I attended a lecture by Dr. Susan Smith on her research related to migrating birds and berry nutrition. Migratory birds spend up to four months a year in the process of migration. These migrations are to wintering grounds and breeding grounds. During these trips, physiological demands are much greater. These trips require very large…
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Birds forced to raise kids that are not theirs- Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)
The Brown Headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a parasitic bird of North America. They used to follow the bison around and consume the insects associated with them. With the expansion of cattle in North American, the brown-headed cowbird populations have also expanded which has raised some interesting questions. Female cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other…
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North Point Bahamas
The following is adapted from my field notes on a research trip to San Salvador Bahamas. North Point is made of eolianites which are made of wind deposits of calcium-rich sand from the island mainland. The wet carbonate turns sold. A crust (caliche) forms on the surface and the then rest solidifies. These dunes are…
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Birds you can find local in Brookhaven Georgia (Atlanta Area)
Recently I had the joy of going birding with a local group in a small park in Brookhaven, Georgia. We saw over 33 species. I was surprised that members of the group were excited to see double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus). There is a common misconception about them that I have heard mostly due to the…
EnviroInsights 