Cornell Lab of OrnithologyRemarkable footage of two Peregrine Falcons harrying Snowy Owls on a beach in New Jersey, December 2013. Filmed and narrated by Tom Johnson. See more photos and video by Tom Johnson at:
Snowy Owl vs. Peregrine FalconCornell Lab of Ornithology2013-12-10 | Remarkable footage of two Peregrine Falcons harrying Snowy Owls on a beach in New Jersey, December 2013. Filmed and narrated by Tom Johnson. See more photos and video by Tom Johnson at:
For millennia, Texas’ skies have cradled a remarkable spectacle – the migration of birds. Guided by the stars and the planet’s magnetic field among other cues, these fearless travelers embark on odysseys of epic proportions. Yet, against cities’ radiant nighttime backdrops, a poignant tale unfolds – the disorienting web of light pollution that distorts their cosmic guides. This film is a tale of redemption, where science and action harmonize in unity. Applied and research science join hands with conservation and education, pledging to safeguard these fragile wanderers. Data from the US weather surveillance radar network weave into a tapestry of understanding. Modern machine learning unfurls secrets, reshaping how we perceive the pulse of the planet’s spring and fall rhythms. Yet, the true lesson lies in the partnership among conservation groups, the government, and the private sector. United in purpose, they craft a symphony of compassion – a simple yet profound dimming of lights. It is my hope that after watching this film, with every light we dim, a beacon of hope is kindled.
With special gratitude to the creatures gracing our skies, - Daniel Sheire, Producer, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
#LightsOutForBirds #BringBirdsBack #LightsOutTexasWorking w. eBird Status and Trends: An online science workshop for practitioners and R users Part I.Cornell Lab of Ornithology2024-10-12 | Birds of the World Discovery | The Cornell Lab of Ornithology | birdsoftheworld.org
Birds of the World is the world's leading scholarly ornithological platform featuring bird life histories and data resources for every bird in the world. This global ornithological resource drives scientific research, education and biodiversity conservation around the world.
Webinar Description: This special 3-part eBird Status and Trends Workshop is targeted for those familiar with using R. In this series, attendees will be introduced to the range of data provided by the eBird Status and Trends Data Products as well as the suite of tools and online training material available for working with the data. Through a series of live examples in the R programming language, attendees will learn how to download, analyze, and visualize these data products. The specific topics covered may include using the data for site selection, generating migration chronologies for a given region and species, and comparing the data products across multiple species. Each session of this 3-part workshop will build on material learned in the previous session.
REFERENCE: #birds #ornithology #science #birdsoftheworld #eBird #r #statistics #eBirdRpackage #ebirdstatusandtrendsYour Top Bird Migration Questions - Answered by Our ExpertCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-10-08 | Cornell Lab scientist and Bird Academy course instructor Dr. Kevin J. McGowan answers 6 common questions about bird migration, including Why do birds migrate? What prompts the start of migration? What's the best time to migrate? How can we help birds on their way? and more. This video compiles highlights from an hourlong webinar from September 2023.
Birds of the World is the world's leading scholarly ornithological platform featuring bird life histories and data resources for every bird in the world. This global ornithological resource drives scientific research, education and biodiversity conservation around the world.
Conserving birds and biodiversity is a complex challenge that requires innovative science and technology, a detailed understanding of ecological and social systems, and the ability to implement sustainable solutions at global and local scales. It also requires a lot of data and tools that help us understand patterns. Join us as we welcome Dr. Amanda Rodewald, Garvin Professor, and Senior Director of the Center for Avian Population Studies.
Dr. Rodewald is a conservation biologist whose work is motivated by a deep commitment to move science into action and build capacity in others. She collaborates with diverse scientists, decision-makers, practitioners, and with public and private partners to develop approaches that support people, biodiversity, and the environment. Dr. Rodewald’s presentation will be an uplifting story about birds as powerful indicator species for wildlife and habitat conservation. She will highlight examples of how transformative eBird data and data products are used for environmental decision-making and achieving real-world conservation outcomes.
SPECIAL GUEST: Amanda Rodewald is the Garvin Professor and Senior Director of the Center for Avian Population Studies (CAPS) at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. She also has appointments in Cornell’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment and the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability.
You may have heard Amanda’s voice on public radio, or in film, podcasts, and various news articles. She leads a research program that integrates ecology, conservation biology, participatory science, and social science to address conservation challenges in working landscapes. In addition to her research, Dr. Rodewald engages with a wide range of conservation practitioners, decision-makers, and leaders in government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to develop practical approaches to conservation that can accommodate social and ecological needs.
Before coming to Cornell, Amanda received her Ph.D. in Ecology at Pennsylvania State University and was a professor at Ohio State University. She has published over 185 scientific papers, an Ornithology textbook, 10 book chapters, and over 70 popular articles and commentaries.
Birds of the World is the world's leading scholarly ornithological platform featuring bird life histories and data resources for every bird in the world. This global ornithological resource drives scientific research, education and biodiversity conservation around the world.
Webinar Description: Birds face significant challenges in every region of the world, and we believe there is no time to lose. Broadly available data archives and references like Birds of the World are vital resources in the fight to save birds, but as technology and research methodologies have marched on, so have we. Join us, members of the core team, as we share our developing vision for Birds of the World as an increasingly dynamic, multi-faceted, multilingual, research platform. We are going to discuss efforts to expand international access to the content and the upcoming release of Spanish translations. Finally, we’ll discuss how global science partnerships with ornithological societies and conservation organizations has opened regional access and improved species content on Birds of the World.
Featuring: Brian Sullivan, Project lead Brooke Keeney, Managing editor Fernando Medrano, Latin America Partner Lead Laura Kammermeier, Host and Business manager Jessica Kane, Co-host and Program aideKeys to ID: Spotted SandpiperCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-08-21 | Spotted Sandpipers are charming, and a delight to discover! This quick video is a best hits of our ID keys for this species. Enjoy more detail in our full lesson on the Spotted Sandpiper, a free preview of our "Be a Better Birder: Shorebird Identification" course: academy.allaboutbirds.org/sample-lesson-shorebird-identification Explore seasonal variations in plumage, sounds, and behavior with an instructional video. Then, take the quiz at the end to see if you can identify a Spotted Sandpiper in any season.
Thumbnail photo: Spotted Sandpiper by Matt Zuro / Macaulay LibraryWeathering Tides: Saving the Black Rail in South CarolinaCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-07-15 | The Eastern Black Rail is a small, incredibly secretive, and federally threatened marsh bird. In wetlands across much of the Atlantic seaboard, the Black Rail's distinctive "ki-ki-doo" call can no longer be heard. But in South Carolina's ACE Basin, biologists, land managers, and private landowners are collaborating to give this tiny rail a foothold for survival—and hopefully, a springboard for a wider recovery.
To learn more about the work in South Carolina, visit southcarolinablackrails.org. To learn more about efforts to recover Black Rail population across the Atlantic Coast, visit acjv.org/black-rail
This film was made possible through generous support from the Robert F. Schumann Foundation.Americas Arctic: DunlinCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-06-22 | Northern Alaska's vast wilderness isn't just a stunning landscape, the Arctic Coastal Plain alone is estimated to be the breeding grounds for almost 8 million waterbirds and is vital to other migratory species and Indigenous communities. Among them is the Dunlin, a type of Sandpiper that calls these expansive wetlands home. Recent actions by the Department of Interior have further highlighted the importance of this region by protecting 13 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. By safeguarding America's Arctic, we are not only preserving the homes of incredible wildlife but also ensuring the future of the region for generations to come. #AmericasArctic #ProtectTheArctic (Migration route data provided by Lagasse, B. and Wunder, M. (2018) and Lagasse, B. et al., PLoS ONE (2022))Extreme HummingbirdsCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-06-18 | Take a look at the full Wonderful World of Hummingbirds online course: academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/the-wonderful-world-of-hummingbirds
While hummingbirds all share many characteristics, some take them to another level. Learn about some of the more extreme hummingbirds out there in this video, part of the Wonderful World of Hummingbirds online course!
The majestic Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) hails from the Andes in South America. This species takes a hummingbird’s long bill to another level. At around four inches, or ten centimeters, its bill is almost the same length as its head, body, and tail combined! That’s the largest bill in proportion to its body of any bird. The Sword-billed Hummingbird is just one example of the extreme diversity that can be found among the world’s 360+ species of hummingbirds.
Just like other birds, hummingbirds need to find a mate, build a nest, lay eggs, and raise young. Find out what all these activities look like on their miniature scale in this video, part of the Wonderful World of Hummingbirds online course!
There are more than 360 species of hummingbird in the world, and all of them live in the Western Hemisphere. What sets a hummingbird apart from other birds? Find out in this video, part of the Wonderful World of Hummingbirds online course!
Thumbnail image: Fiery-throated Hummingbirds by Josep del Hoyo / Macaulay LibraryFrom Seeds to Shoreline: Cultivating the Next GenerationCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-05-28 | Learn more about the From Seeds to Shoreline® program here: scseagrant.org/from-seeds ...
Preserving and restoring salt marsh across the South Atlantic is no small undertaking. South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium’s From Seeds to Shoreline® (S2S) K-12 program is a success story when it comes to the power of local action. Head to South Carolina’s coast to join Ocean Bay Middle School’s science club on their marsh restoration day at Huntington Beach State Park.
This production was made possible through the generous support of the Robert F. Schumann Foundation.
Special thanks to: Clemson University South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Huntington Beach State Park Hobcaw Barony/North Inlet Winyah Bay NERR Cindy Lily, Ocean Bay Middle School Morgan Treon, S.C. Sea Grant ConsortiumDeveaux Bank: Roost Ecology PrimerCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-05-03 | Deveaux Bank, South Carolina, was recently discovered to be the nocturnal roost for half of the entire Atlantic Flyway population of Whimbrel. New GPS tracking data from individual Whimbrel are beginning to reveal the intricate function and delicate importance of offshore refuges, like Deveaux, within coastal landscapes.Lights Out for Birds - Animated ShortCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-04-26 | Learn more here: bit.ly/LightsOutForBirds
Accompany a tiny songbird as it succumbs to the allure of vibrant city lights, unaware of the perils it encounters. These hazards are typical for migratory birds maneuvering through urban environments. In the United States alone, approximately one billion birds fall victim to building collisions annually. Your help can make a difference. The BirdCast initiative by Cornell Lab suggests dimming lights between 11pm and 6am each night and adding bird-friendly modifications to glass during the day.Avian Phylogeny: a complete and dynamic tree of birds featuring ELIOT MILLER | Birds of the WorldCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-04-19 | Our understanding of avian evolutionary relationships constantly evolves. As this understanding grows, avian taxonomy must keep pace – bird names and classifications, such as the families to which they belong, are under constant revision. To date, these changes have been parallel but somewhat disconnected processes, where phylogenetic (evolutionary) information eventually (hopefully) results in taxonomic changes.
We present early results on a project that seeks to more directly unite emerging evolutionary understanding with taxonomic revisions. By collaborating with the Open Tree of Life, we have created a modern phylogeny that can be readily updated as new evolutionary results are published, one that will one day directly link to the taxonomy and data resources used by Birds of the World.
We’ll discuss our methods for creating the phylogeny, why it's important, as well as exciting ways to combine these new tools with birdwatching itself.
Birds of the World is a powerful resource that brings deep, scholarly content from four celebrated works of ornithology into a single platform where biologists and birders can find comprehensive life history information on birds. Every bird has a story. Discover them all with Birds of the World. birdsoftheworld.org
REFERENCE: #aviantaxonomy #ornithology #science #birds #phylogeny #treeoflifeAMERICAS ARCTIC - TESHEKPUK WETLANDSCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-04-01 | The abundant wetlands in America's Arctic, especially those concentrated around Teshekpuk Lake, are among the most extensive and productive for birdlife in the entire Arctic. Birds fan out across this landscape to nest in astonishing numbers, with some of the highest known densities of breeding shorebirds anywhere on earth. The Teshekpuk Wetlands provide vast tracts of undisturbed habitat and an abundance of food. Summer produces an explosion of insect life and plant growth, and 24 hours of daylight provides the opportunity to feed around the clock. The abundant resources fuel a short but rapid reproductive season, drawing millions of birds from around the world year after year.Meet the Yellow-bellied SapsuckerCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-03-29 | Do woodpeckers inspire you? Check out the Wonderful World of Woodpeckers online course: academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/the-wonderful-world-of-woodpeckers
Meet the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. This small, forest woodpecker frequents woods in Canada and the northeastern U.S. in spring, before migrating to the southeastern U.S. and Central America. If you live in the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker's range, keep an eye out for their sapwells, and listen for their mewing calls. Have you seen a sapsucker lately?
If you've ever watched a woodpecker drilling away at wood, you might have wondered how they keep stable as they work. Part of the secret is in their tails! Woodpecker tail feathers are stiffer and stronger than the tail feathers of other birds. Leaning against their stiff tails gives them an extra point of stability while pecking or moving up and down tree trunks.Meet the Eurasian WryneckCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-03-25 | Do woodpeckers inspire you? Check out the Wonderful World of Woodpeckers online course: academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/the-wonderful-world-of-woodpeckers
The Eurasian Wryneck is a close woodpecker relative that does things a little differently than its woodpecker cousins. This migratory bird spends breeding seasons across Europe and northern Asia, before most retreat south to Africa and southern Asia when things turn cold. While camouflage might make a Eurasian Wryneck difficult to spot, it's always worth a second look! Find more about this bird and learn where you might see it on eBird: ebird.org/species/eurwryWhy is that woodpecker pecking on metal?Cornell Lab of Ornithology2024-03-23 | Do woodpeckers inspire you? Check out the Wonderful World of Woodpeckers online course: academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/the-wonderful-world-of-woodpeckers
We've heard this question a lot: why do woodpeckers sometimes peck on metal? Are they confused and looking for food? The truth is, they're likely drumming! Woodpeckers drum on wood, metal, and other surfaces for the same reasons other birds sing—to defend their territory and attract mates.The Red-tailed Hawk Project - studies in raptor ecology and evolution featuring Bryce RobinsonCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-03-22 | Birds of the World Discovery | The Cornell Lab of Ornithology | birdsoftheworld.org
Birds of the World is the world's leading scholarly ornithological platform featuring bird life histories and data resources for every bird in the world. This global ornithological resource drives scientific research, education and biodiversity conservation around the world.
The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a widespread and common raptor species - with surprising plumage variations across their very broad North American range. Over the past four years, the Red-tailed Hawk Project has captured and sampled more than 400 hawks from 7 of the 16 described subspecies and deployed over 100 tracking units. In this webinar, Bryce Robinson, Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Ecology and Evolution, Cornell University and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology will share what the project has learned from these efforts, and what they hope to learn moving forward.
SPECIAL GUEST BRYCE ROBINSON is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Ecology and Evolution, Cornell University and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and researcher with the Red-tailed Hawk Project. Bryce has a B.S. in Environmental and Sustainability Studies – University of Utah and an M.S. in Raptor Biology from Boise State University.Meet the Acorn WoodpeckerCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-03-21 | Do woodpeckers inspire you? Check out the Wonderful World of Woodpeckers online course: academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/the-wonderful-world-of-woodpeckers
Take a peek at the wonder of woodpeckers in this snapshot of our Bird Academy's next online course! Woodpeckers charm and amaze with their boldly colored feathers, interesting nesting habits, and of course, their ability to carve through wood with no tools but their beak. Discover the wonder of woodpeckers with this self-paced, online course, releasing March 27, 2024.2024 The Great Backyard Bird Count: Thank YouCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-02-26 | What an incredible year! More than 600,000 people from 209 countries or regions spent four days over the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) identifying and counting birds. Collectively, bird enthusiasts identified 7,842 of the world's bird species. None of us could have done this alone, so here's a huge thank you for your collective efforts! To learn more about this event: birdcount.org2024 Great Backyard Bird Count: Thank YouCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-02-26 | What an incredible year! More than 600,000 people from 209 countries or regions spent four days over the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) identifying and counting birds. Collectively, bird enthusiasts identified 7,842 of the world's bird species. None of us could have done this alone, so here's a huge thank you for your collective efforts! GBBC Website: birdcount.orgMerlin Bird ID Trivia: Great Backyard Bird Count with Birds CanadaCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-02-16 | The Great Backyard Bird Count is just around the corner! What better way to brush up on North American bird identification than with a fun-filled trivia game? The Merlin Bird ID app, developed by the Cornell Lab and powered by machine learning, will be put to the test. Can the app outperform an experienced birder and you, our live audience? We’ll use photos and sounds to determine who can accurately identify the most North American bird species.
This is an interactive game, so come ready to play! Throughout the game, we'll explore how Merlin “decides” on an ID. Our panelist, Yousif Attia of Birds Canada, will share advice on how to identify tricky birds—plus, he’ll provide insights into birding during the Great Backyard Bird Count.Beyond the Backyard: All About the Great Backyard Bird CountCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-02-13 | Get ready to flock together for the 2024 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)! This annual four-day event is right around the corner. Panelists will explain how to participate in this exciting global event and how participation might extend past your back door. Discover how to join a group taking part in the GBBC and explore fun ways to involve kids. From bird ID tips to counting birds with ease, this webinar is your ticket to an engaging and confident GBBC experience.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter provided for this live event.Merlin Bird ID Trivia: Great Backyard Bird Count with Bird Count IndiaCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-02-12 | The Great Backyard Bird Count is just around the corner! What better way to brush up on Indian bird identification than with a fun-filled trivia game? The Merlin Bird ID app, developed by the Cornell Lab and powered by machine learning, will be put to the test. Can the app outperform an experienced birder or you, our live audience? Using photos and sounds, we'll determine who can accurately identify the most bird species found in India. This is an interactive game, so come ready to play! Throughout the game, we'll explore how Merlin “decides” on an ID. Our panelist, Ashwin Viswanathan of Bird Count India, will share advice on how to identify tricky birds—plus, he’ll provide insights into birding during the Great Backyard Bird Count.Building Better Habitat for Birds and BiodiversityCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-02-11 | How can we create and foster better habitat for birds and biodiversity? Join the LEGO Group’s Build the Change team and Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientists Monique Pipkin and Benjamin Mirin for a virtual program the whole family can enjoy. Learn how researchers are using creativity and play to understand and solve challenges facing birds and biodiversity. Then, use your own materials (LEGO® bricks, recyclables, paper and pencil!) to design your own ideal outdoor space for birds and biodiversity. Finally, discover how your family can take your ideas outside and participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, collecting important data used to protect birds around the world.
Register now and pre-submit any questions that come to mind ahead of time. We’ll send a notification when it’s time to join the webinar. Then, grab your materials and get ready to change the world through play!
Mel Gillman (they/them) is an award winning cartoonist, author and illustrator who also teaches comics at California College for the Arts. Their beautiful colored-pencil comics include As The Crow Flies (Iron Circus Comics, 2017) and Other Ever Afters (Random House, 2022). When they’re not busy teaching or working on their upcoming graphic novel, they might be found in the woods near their home in Columbus, OH, where they love mushroom foraging and searching for salamanders.Life History of the Black Falcon with Dr. Steve DebusCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-01-22 | Birds of the World Discovery Series | The Cornell Lab of Ornithology | birdsoftheworld.org
Birds of the World is the world’s leading scholarly, digital platform featuring avian life histories and data resources for every bird in the world. This global ornithology resource powers scientific research, education, and biodiversity conservation worldwide.
In today’s discovery webinar we welcome Dr. Steve Debus, an ornithologist from New South Wales, Australia and author of The Birds of Prey of Australia, A Field Guide (2019) and Australian Falcons: Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation (2022). Steve developed a particular admiration for the Black Falcon, a little-studied Australian endemic which was recently discovered to have genetic ties to the hierofalcons. In his spare time, Steve and a colleague conducted field studies of the Black Falcon, which led to several papers on the breeding biology, behaviour and foraging ecology of the species. Steve recently updated the Birds of the World Black Falcon species account. In this webinar, Steve will relate fascinating details on the life history of this fast and agile raptor.
DR. STEPHEN J.S. DEBUS has been interested in raptors since childhood, but first studied the biology of the Black Falcon in a voluntary capacity in 2004. Since then he has studied various raptors in the field, including Black Falcons in 2010–2016, in a voluntary (spare-time) capacity around a postdoctoral fellowship on woodland passerines, and working as an ecological consultant for government and industry on fauna surveys, assessments, and conservation plans (mainly birds) while also co-supervising graduate raptor projects. In 2017–2022 he was contracted by a government agency to survey and monitor the nests of threatened raptors. He has written around 150 papers and several books or book chapters, mainly on raptors, including field guides to Australian raptors and owls, and monographs on the Australasian eagles and Australian falcons. He edited the journal Australian Field Ornithology for 32 years, and the BirdLife Australia Raptor Group's newsletter Boobook for stints of 10 and 15 years.
Follow along on the included transcript.Eavesdropping on Elephants, Whales and Porpoises: Conservation Around the Globe through Animal SoundCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-01-18 | Join us for an exciting conversation with scientists from the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics. During this webinar, we’ll talk to researchers using sound from elephants, whales, and porpoises to conserve fragile ecosystems around the globe. Tune in to find out how scientists in the Arctic, Bermuda, the Indian Ocean, and central Africa are putting animal sound recordings into action to protect ecosystems from habitat loss, over-hunting, and climate change.A Celebration of Sound: Macaulay Library Reaches 2 Million RecordingsCornell Lab of Ornithology2024-01-17 | Join us for a virtual celebration as we mark the milestone of 2 million sound recordings archived in the Cornell Lab’s Macaulay Library. We’ll pay homage to the contributions of the global sound recording community and explore the diverse applications of these recordings in research, conservation, and public engagement. Learn about the pivotal role of sound in understanding and preserving our natural world, and be inspired to contribute your own sound recordings to this invaluable archive.Prosperous Communities, Sustainable ForestsCornell Lab of Ornithology2023-12-03 | This film was made possible through the generous support of the Mastro Foundation.
Masyarakat Sejahtera, Hutan Lestari/ Prosperous Communities, Sustainable Forests
At the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, Professor Charlie Heatubun (Head of Research & Development Agency, Provincial Government of West Papua, Indonesia) presented on the challenges and best practices for achieving sustainable development in intact rainforests. The film premiered at Prof. Charlie’s session in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) “Unite for Nature” Pavilion on December 3. It features the voices of the Indigenous and local communities safeguarding one of the world’s last great intact rainforests. Watch to experience how their values, knowledge, and partnership are critical to achieving climate goals and shaping the future for all of us.
Find out more about the intact forests of the Indo-Pacific: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/conservation-media/from-birds-to-forests-a-decades-long-effort-to-protect-the-indo-pacifics-intact-forests/Adventures in bird molt with Peter PyleBirds of the World Discovery Series Webinar Dec. 15, 2022Cornell Lab of Ornithology2023-11-21 | Bird plumage isn’t just beautiful to look at; it reveals a lot about a bird’s age, sex, and natural and evolutionary history. Decoding the clues among feathers in plumages can be a complex art, but Peter Pyle has spent his career trying to understand and document bird molts and plumages. In this webinar, Peter presents a crash course in molt and discuss the many things one can learn from its close examination.
Peter takes us on a trip through the various angles of bird molt, winding our way through the tangled terminology; presenting the vastly improved H-P system in lay-person terms; considering the interactions between bird molt, plumage color, age, and identification; illustrating some unique and fascinating molt patterns; imparting the importance of molting to bird conservation; and concluding with some thoughts on stable isotopes, molt in tropical birds, and avenues for future research. He provides some updated information on the 2022 revision of his “Identification Guide to North American Birds” and on the use of Macaulay images to study bird molt.
We are thrilled to have Peter work with us on Birds of the World where he’s been editing the Appearance section since 2007.
Co-host and Sr. Managing Editor Brooke Keeney will discuss how Peter’s expertise fits into Birds of the World, and how your contributions to Macaulay Library are used by Peter and other experts to analyze molt.
P.S. The second edition of the Pyle Guide is out December, 2022. Try Buteo Books or Avinet.
Identification Guide to North American Birds Part 1: Columbidae to Ploceidae, Revised [Passerines] by Pyle, Peter
Birds of the World is the world’s leading scholarly ornithology database published by Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
#birds #ornithology #birdsoftheworldBOW Discovery Webinar: Avian Taxonomy Update 2022Cornell Lab of Ornithology2023-11-21 | Please join staff from eBird, Birds of the World, and special guest Pamela Rasmussen to learn what’s new in avian taxonomy, especially regarding the 2022 update to the eBird/Clements checklist which is now showing across all Lab projects including eBird, Macaulay Library, Merlin, and Birds of the World.
The team discusses why annual taxonomy updates are necessary and how names are settled upon by the international Working Group Avian Checklists (WGAC). They will also discuss recent efforts to standardize bird taxonomy across all major global checklists.
Finally, the team will highlight a few interesting taxonomic shifts and discuss what changes are most likely to affect your life list.
Speakers: BOW Science Editors Tom Schulenberg and Shawn Billerman, Project Lead Brian Sullivan, eBird Project Lead Marshall Iliff, and Pamela Rasmussen from Michigan State University. Tom, Marshall, and Pam are on the WCAG committee.
Birds of the World is the world’s leading scholarly ornithology database published by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Learn more here: birdsoftheworld.org
#birds #ornithology #taxonomy #birdsoftheworldKinglet Calyptura Lost Jewel of the Atlantic Forest by Guy KirwanCornell Lab of Ornithology2023-11-21 | ...Birds of the World: Searching for Lost Birds, How Targeted Expeditions Benefit Bird ConservationCornell Lab of Ornithology2023-11-21 | Birds of the World Discovery Series | The Cornell Lab of Ornithology birdsoftheworld.org
Recorded: THURSDAY, 19 October, 2023 Length: 1 hr
What is a “lost bird?” What is involved in the re-discovery of a species “lost” to humans for so long? And how does investing resources to find a lost bird result in conservation gains for this and other species?
Find this out and more when John Mittermeier, Director of the Search for Lost Birds at American Bird Conservancy joins us for our first webinar of the 2023-2024 season. John will share stories from recent Lost Birds expeditions and describe how these searches can support conservation efforts around the world.
The Search for Lost Birds is a partnership between American Bird Conservancy, Re:wild, and BirdLife International that seeks to find new information and support conservation actions for bird species that are “lost,” meaning that they have no confirmed documentation in the past ten or more years. A new agreement between The Search for Lost Birds and Birds of the World ensures the mutual exchange of information about these and other species in these special habitats. Photo credit: Black-naped Pheasant-pigeon provided by American Bird Conservancy.
SPECIAL GUEST JOHN C. MITTERMEIER is the Director of the Search for Lost Birds at American Bird Conservancy. He has done fieldwork on birds around the world including search for lost species in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Madagascar, and Indonesia.
Birds of the World is the world’s leading scholarly, digital platform featuring avian life histories and data resources for every bird in the world. This global ornithology resource powers scientific research, education, and biodiversity conservation worldwide. Learn more: birdsoftheworld.org
Follow along on the transcript.Birds of the World Discovery Webinar: 2023 eBird/Clements Taxonomy UpdateCornell Lab of Ornithology2023-11-21 | Recorded: THURSDAY, 16 November, 2023 Length: 1 hr, 30 min
A Birds of the World Discovery Webinar (https://birdsoftheworld.org).
The webinar focuses on higher level details regarding avian taxonomy is of special interest to ornithologists, taxonomists, NGOs, conservationists, agencies, and birders. #birds #ornithology #science #taxonomy #birdnames #eBird #birdsoftheworld
Please join avian taxonomy experts from eBird and Birds of the World for a discussion of recent updates to the eBird/Clements checklist. The checklist is now showing across all Lab projects including eBird, Macaulay Library, Merlin, and Birds of the World.
The team will provide a brief overview of the 2023 taxonomy updates and recent efforts to standardize bird taxonomy across all major global checklists. They will also present interesting taxonomic shifts and discuss what changes are most likely to affect your life list. REFERENCE: ebird.org/news/2023-taxonomy-update
SPECIAL GUESTS:
SHAWN BILLERMAN, Science Editor for Birds of the World, co-author of Bird Families of the World.
PAMELA RASMUSSEN, Senior Research Associate—Avian Systematist for Birds of the World, Managing Editor of the IOC World Bird List, member of NACC and IOU’s Working Group Avian Checklist.
MARSHALL ILIFF, Project Lead, eBird. A zen master of Excel, Marshall coordinates the annual taxonomy updates for eBird and is a member of the IOU’s Working Group Avian Checklist technical committee. He also manages the Lab’s ever-growing list of global bird names, a project that ensures that projects like eBird, Birds of the World, and Merlin are relevant and useful to people all over the world.
Birds of the World is the world’s leading scholarly, digital platform featuring avian life histories and data resources for every bird in the world. This global ornithology resource powers scientific research, education, and biodiversity conservation worldwide. Learn more: birdsoftheworld.org
Follow along on the transcript.Protecting Birds Takes PartnershipCornell Lab of Ornithology2023-11-20 | Along the South Atlantic coast, critical wetlands are facing existential threat, from accelerating sea-level rise and coastal development. And that means the species that call these saltmarshes home are also in crisis.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has joined more than 160 partners in the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative (SASMI), an all-out effort to save one million acres of salt marsh habitat for the wildlife and people that depend on these vital ecosystems. In this video, Conservation Media producer Andy Johnson shares a glimpse of the story he and the Cornell Lab captured to help inspire conservation action. To see the full story, visit marshforward.org/.
This important work is made possible by close collaboration with partners, and through generous support from the Cornell Lab community. Dedicated to advancing the understanding and protection of the natural world, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology joins with people from all walks of life to make new scientific discoveries, share insights, and galvanize conservation action. If you haven't already, please consider supporting our efforts as 2023 comes to a close with a year-end gift at: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/yearend. Thank you!
The Dunlin is a widespread and handsome sandpiper that raises its young in the expansive wetlands of northern Alaska. This vast wilderness isn't just a stunning landscape—it's the breeding grounds for almost 8 million waterbirds and is vital to other migratory species and Indigenous communities. Recent actions by the Department of Interior have highlighted the importance of this region by proposing to protect 13 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve. By safeguarding America's Arctic, we are not only preserving the homes of incredible wildlife but also ensuring the future of the region for generations to come. Please add your voice to the public comments on the new protections until November 17 here: protectthearctic.org/cornell-lab
#AmericasArctic #ProtectTheArctic
(Migration route data provided by Lagasse, B. and Wunder, M. (2018) and Lagasse, B. et al., PLoS ONE (2022))Pectoral Sandpiper In Americas ArcticCornell Lab of Ornithology2023-11-13 | Please share your insights during the public comment period today: protectthearctic.org/cornell-lab
The Department of the Interior is seeking public comments on a rule that will protect 13 million acres within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The Arctic Coastal Plain alone is estimated to be the breeding grounds for almost 8 million waterbirds and is vital to other migratory species and Indigenous communities. Meet the awe-inspiring journey of Pectoral Sandpipers as they migrate around 9,000 miles to the Arctic regions of America. By actively participating in efforts to safeguard these critical nesting areas, we are taking steps to ensure the preservation of this wilderness for generations to come. Your valuable insights can have a meaningful impact on the conservation of America's Arctic. We encourage you to share your thoughts during the ongoing public comment period, accessible here: protectthearctic.org/cornell-lab
#AmericasArctic #ProtectTheArctic
(Migration route data provided by Bart Kempenaers.)Not Just Watching Feeders OR Birds: Updates from Project FeederWatchCornell Lab of Ornithology2023-10-31 | Join Project Feederwatch leaders Emma Greig and Kerrie Wilcox and get ready to observe the birds and nature you see. Whether or not they supply feeders, FeederWatchers build an invaluable database of local winter bird observations every year. This year, participants can track mammals and record behavior, plus so much more! Tune in to the conversation to learn about new features, hear how you can participate, and get answers to your questions about feeders, foods, and the birds that share our spaces.Leaping as a Way of Life: Behavioral Ecology of a Neotropical BirdCornell Lab of Ornithology2023-10-30 | The 2023 Paul C. Mundinger Distinguished Lectureship was given by Regina Macedo, Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology at Brazil’s University of Brasilia.
The Blue-black Grassquit, a bird species native to South America, offers a fascinating window into avian behavior and evolutionary biology. Their eye-catching, leaping courtship dance is unique and distinctive. Dr. Regina Macedo has spent 25 years unraveling the intricacies of the Blue-black Grassquit and how the interplay between survival pressures and mate preferences molds behavior and appearances. Join us for this lecture as Dr. Macedo leads us through her work and explores how this unique Neotropical bird enhances our understanding of bird biology.
This lectureship was established in honor of the late Paul Mundinger, who received his Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University.Americas Arctic - Tundra SwanCornell Lab of Ornithology2023-10-30 | Join the conversation during the public comment period: protectthearctic.org/cornell-lab Meet the enchanting Tundra Swan! Its majestic presence and beauty are rivaled only by the endurance it shows in migrating thousands of miles to the remote northern reaches of Alaska, its breeding and nesting grounds. This footage of nesting Tundra Swans comes from a Cornell Lab expedition deep into America's Arctic. The Department of the Interior recently introduced new regulations that designate a staggering 13 million acres within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska for protection. This means we're not just preserving the breathtaking Tundra Swan and its habitat; we're also securing this precious land for future generations. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts and make a difference in supporting Arctic preservation. Join the conversation during the public comment period using this link: protectthearctic.org/cornell-lab #AmericasArctic #ProtectTheArctic
(Migration data from Ely, C.R. and Meixell, B.W., Movement Ecology (2016) and Wilkins, K.A. et al., Wildfowl (2010).)See the Magnificent Greater White-fronted Goose in Americas ArcticCornell Lab of Ornithology2023-10-25 | Public comments on the new protections are being gathered here: protectthearctic.org/cornell-lab
Northern Alaska's vast wilderness isn't just a stunning landscape; it's a crucial haven where numerous bird species raise their young before embarking on epic migratory journeys. Among them is the Greater White-fronted Goose, a waterfowl species that calls these expansive wetlands home. A Cornell Lab expedition traveled deep into America's Arctic, one of the planet's few remaining wildernesses playing a pivotal role in safeguarding the survival of countless long-distance migratory birds. Recent actions by the Department of Interior have further highlighted the importance of this region by protecting 13 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. By safeguarding America's Arctic, we are not only preserving the homes of incredible wildlife but also ensuring the future of the region for generations to come. Let's unite in our mission to #ProtectTheArctic. Public comments on the new protections are being gathered here until November 17th: protectthearctic.org/cornell-lab
Come To America's Arctic to See the Magnificent Greater White-fronted Goose!
#AmericasArctic
(Migration data from VonBank, J.A., 2020. Ph.D. dissertation.)King Eider Ducks in Americas ArcticCornell Lab of Ornithology2023-10-23 | Add your voice of support here: protectthearctic.org/cornell-lab A new rule proposed by the U.S. Dept. of the Interior would protect a remarkable 13 million acres of Alaskan wilderness within the National Petroleum Reserve. It's home to a simply gorgeous duck called the King Eider that breeds and raises its young there. A Cornell Lab expedition traveled into the region, known as America's Arctic, to film King Eiders showcasing their captivating displays to attract mates and establish dominance. As we all strive to safeguard the King Eider and its natural habitat, we are not just conserving a marvel of nature; we are also playing a part in protecting this area for generations to come. Your input can support the preservation of the Arctic in the United States. Please share your insights and opinions during the public comment period, open through November 7th: protectthearctic.org/cornell-lab
(Migration route data provided by Steffen Oppel.)
King Eider Ducks in America's Arctic
#AmericasArctic #ProtectTheArcticBrants Incredible Journey To Americas Arctic!Cornell Lab of Ornithology2023-10-20 | Add your voice of support here: protectthearctic.org/cornell-lab Brant, a species of goose, embarks on an epic journey, spanning thousands of miles each year to breed in the far reaches of northern Alaska. Recently, the Department of Interior has created a rule to protect 13 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. This action underscores the significance of safeguarding Brant habitat and the broader Arctic environment. By preserving the Brant's home and America's Arctic, we aren't just preserving a natural wonder; we're also ensuring the planet's climate stability that impacts us all. Join us in supporting conservation efforts to protect this region for the long-distance migratory birds who fly here every year to breed. Add your voice today to the chorus advocating for the protection of America's Arctic. Public comments on the new protections are being collected now. Add your voice of support here: protectthearctic.org/cornell-lab