Loose Feathers #367

Merlin / Photo by Bill Thompson (USFWS)

Birds and birding

• A census of Island Scrub Jays on Santa Cruz Island in California documented fewer of these endemic jays than expected. With only 2,500 individuals, this is one of the rarest bird species in the U.S.
• A survey estimated that 22 million birds die from window strikes in Canada each year. The number is likely higher than that in the United States, which is more densely populated. For more about human-caused bird mortality, see this fact sheet (pdf) from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. David Sibley puts the same numbers into graphical form.
• Thousands of Lesser Flamingos have arrived at Tanzania's Lake Natron for their breeding season, which may be the largest breeding event since 2007. The habitat around Lake Natron is currently threatened by low water levels due to drought and proposed industrial development.
• The NY Times took a look at how hurricanes affect birds.
• Whooping Cranes are returning to Aransas NWR in eastern Texas to spend the winter. Meanwhile, there are lingering legal issues left over from the deaths of 23 cranes last winter. Environmental groups want the state to create a water management plan for the Guadelupe River that will provide adequate water for the refuge.
• A project is photographically documenting all 39 species of birds-of-paradise in their natural habitats. There are a few videos of bird-of-paradise courtship dances embedded in the article, and you can watch more here.
• A recent study found that New Caledonian Crows are able to infer hidden causes. 
• The National Post has an article on Canada's quest to collect and retire all of its $1,000 bills, which are mostly in the hands of criminal enterprises. The main reason I am linking that article is that the Canadian $1,000 bill has a lovely image of Pine Grosbeaks on it.
• A bee-eater found in Scotland is very rare for that area. Bohemian Waxwings are also irrupting into the UK this winter. Also in the UK, a new wetland reserve opened in the Trent Valley.

Nature blogging

• Birding Dude: Virginia's Warbler in Queens New York 
• ABA Blog: #ABArare - Calliope Hummingbird - Delaware
• Outside My Window: A Lasting Impression 
• Audubon Guides: Photo Essay: Get Down Low 
• Laelaps: Eocene Big Bird Not so Scary, After All 
• The Digiscoper: Man fined for putting volleyball court on Kirtland's warbler habitat
• The Birdist: The First American Birder?
• Extinction Countdown: Controversial Toronto Zoo Penguins Not Gay after All?
• The Rattling Crow: Carrion crows dunk their toast
• PetaPixel: Bird Found Wearing Lost Digital Camera Around Its Neck with Photos Intact
• DCist: Rock Creek Deer Won't Be Shot, At Least Not Yet

Environment and biodiversity

• BP and the Department of Justice have reached a legal settlement on criminal charges arising from the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010. BP will pay $4.5 billion in fines for negligent operation of the drilling rig, lying about the volume of oil gushing from the well, and killing migratory birds. In addition, some managers face charges for the crew member deaths, and BP is still liable for Clean Water Act violations and various other civil claims. 
• Speaking of oil spills, over 378,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the Arthur Kill as a result of Hurricane Sandy, about a quarter of which has been contained. Nine oiled birds have been found so far.
• A study of computer models for climate change found that the models with the best track record so far predict more extreme warming than other models. That suggests that climate change may actually be worse than expected. LiveScience lists five ways that climate change is affecting the Arctic.
• Because of the lack of sea ice in recent Arctic summers, walruses are spending more time in coastal areas instead of out on the sea ice, their normal habitat.
• Bats are highly vulnerable to climate change, at every phase of their life cycles.
• This month the government of Ecuador is dropping 22 tons of poisoned bait on the Galápagos Islands to eradicate invasive rats. Hawks and iguanas that might be vulnerable to the poison have been relocated for the time being.
• More alternatives to incandescent light bulbs are becoming available.
• A recent study found that bonobos catch yawns from other members of their social circle. Contagious yawning is a behavior documented only among some social animals, including some birds. I yawned while reading that article.
• Hikers and hunters are changing wildlife along the Appalachian Trail. In particular, black bears and bobcats are negatively affected, while raccoons and red foxes have benefited.
• Wolf hunts have spread to the Midwest, and 196 wolves have been killed in the past month in Minnesota and Wisconsin.