A white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) with his spiffy new GPS backpack! These tiny backpacks weigh only 1 gram and take GPS points as the bird goes about its day. We can learn about a bird’s territory at a precise level of detail that we’ve never had before! After 6 days wearing the backpack, we catch…
Sci Hero: Rachel Carson
The Ethogram believes that science should be accessible and diverse in order to increase the sense of belonging within the science community. As a part of our continuing effort to make science a more inclusive field, we will be highlighting a “Sci Hero” each month so that the next generation of scientists and naturalists may be inspired and identify with the diverse community that came before them.
Science Heroes: Rachel Carson
Welcome to Science Heroes, the column highlighting incredible scientists and naturalists that if you don’t know, you should! This month highlights science writer and environmentalist Rachel Carson!
Sunday Sketch: Monogamous Mommies
A fact about same-sex parenting in birds
Field Frame Friday: Stop Copying Me!
The Northern Mockingbird is the ultimate copy-cat. #stopcopyingme #mockingbird #animalbehavior
Arts & Crafts: Hippo Photo Shoot
Check out this young explorer’s hippo as it walks down the runway!
Field Notes: California Plants and Pollinators
At least 87.5% of flowering plant species rely on animal pollinators such as bees, birds, bats and butterflies for help with reproduction [1]. Plant-pollinator mutual relationships contribute to biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and promote food security through crop pollination [2]. Much of the food and medicine we use comes from plants that need pollinators to reproduce….
Creature Feature: River dolphins
River dolphins? Find out more about the less-famous cousins of the oceanic dolphins in this week’s creature feature.
Sunday Sketch: The sum of its parts
A fact about how no man-of-war is an island
Field Frame Friday: If you hear this, I am not aMOOsed!
Dairy calves may be adorable and photogenic, but they are also very noisy animals! Research has shown that their vocalizations can indicate their affective state and emotions! [Photo and caption by Isabelle McDonald-Gilmartin] Green, A. C., Johnston, I. N., & Clark, C. E. F. (2018). Invited review: The evolution of cattle bioacoustics and application for…