Category Archives: North America

Bird Study Could Provide Memory Clues

by Amy Posted on 19 October 2006

“Scientists at the University of New Hampshire hope to learn more about memory and its evolution by studying the Clark’s nutcracker, a bird with a particularly challenging task: remembering where it buried its supply of food for winter in a 15-mile area. Like many animals preparing for the winter, every fall the Clark’s nutcracker spends several weeks gathering food stores. What makes it unique is that it harvests more than 30,000 pine nuts, buries them in up to 5,000 caches, and then relies almost solely on its memory of where those caches are located to survive through winter.” Read more about the study on Newswise.

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Posted in Aside, North America, Science & Tech | Leave a comment

Chicago’s Bird Hospital Hopping During Migration Season

by Amy Posted on 15 October 2006

The Chicago Park District opened a bird hospital on the former Meigs Field in April. Last week, the hospital served more than 250 patients. Most injuries treated at the hospital involve birds crashing into buildings, and the number of injuries increases each year during the spring and fall migration periods. The central location is pivotal in saving birds which otherwise would have to be driven to suburban wildlife centers for rehabilitation. The survival rate for birds dropped off at the hospital is over 85 percent. Read more in the Chicago Tribune.

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Posted in FCWR, North America, Rehabilitation | Leave a comment

Red Knot Proposed Addition To Endangered Species Protection

by Amy Posted on 14 October 2006

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has identified the migratory Red Knot as a candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal was initiated by a petition submitted by the Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society in 2004. The proposal is currently deferred while the Service works on other species which are at greater risk. Read more about the Red Knot proposal in Migratory bird named candidate for Endangered Species Act protection.

Red Knot
Red Knot by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Northeast Region, Creative Commons on Flickr

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Ivory-bill Sightings In Florida?

by Amy Posted on 28 September 2006

This week researchers from Auburn University and the University of Windsor revealed there were 14 Ivory-bill Woodpecker sightings in the Florida panhandle between May 2005 and May 2006. No photos were captured, however. Read the full story at Birdlife International. For views on both sides of the issue I recommend this skeptic’s blog and this believer’s blog. Above all I highly recommend the Ivory-billed Woodpecker t-shirts and paraphernalia available from MagnificentFrigatebird.com.

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Posted in Aside, Endangered, Extinct, Florida, North America, Products, Websites & Blogs | Leave a comment

EPA Bans Pesticide Responsible For Millions Of Bird Deaths

by Amy Posted on 24 September 2006

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has banned most uses of the chemical pesticide carbofuran, which is produced by FMC Corporation under the brand name Furadan. The American Bird Conservancy notes that the chemical is responsible for millions of wild bird deaths since it was introduced in 1967. Read the full story Pesticide ban from EPA follows millions of bird deaths in the El Defensor Chieftain.

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Rare Bird Seen Near Lawrence Kansas

by Amy Posted on 21 September 2006

“A white-tailed bird that is native to Central and South America has caused a stir by showing up near Lawrence. Bird watchers are flocking to the Lawrence are hoping to see the White-tailed Kite. Bird experts say it’s only the third documented sighting of the bird in Kansas.” Read the full article at WIBW.

White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) bird El Chorro Regional Park, San Luis Obispo, CA, 12 Feb 2011
White-tailed Kite, El Chorro Regional Park, San Luis Obispo, CA, 12 Feb 2011 by mikebaird, Creative Commons on Flickr

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Posted in Aside, North America, Rare / Vagrant | 1 Comment

Pigeon Deaths Put A Damper On Festival

by Amy Posted on 13 September 2006

A festival in Texarkana, Texas was spoiled as pigeons nose-dived into the pavement, dead. Other pigeons were discovered dying on city sidewalks after they ate poisoned corn. At least 25 sick or dead birds were collected by authorities. CapitalOne Bank had hired an exterminator to remove pigeons from their property after a bird got into the building and defecated on a customer. The poisoned corn was meant to sicken the birds and encourage them to roost elsewhere. Read the full story FALLING DEAD PIGEONS MAR CITY FESTIVAL in the Tyler Paper.

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Reward Offered For Bird Death Info

by Amy Posted on 5 September 2006

Montana “officials are offering a reward for information in the deaths of more than 50 baby bluebirds and Tree Swallows, and the vandalism of 15 nesting boxes. The vandalism occurred sometime around July 21 along a county road in the Highwood Mountains near Belt.” For more details, read the full story State offers reward in bird deaths in the Billings Gazette.

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