Author: Petz

If you’ve ever fallen into a pool, you know: the water is surprisingly hard if you hit it at the wrong angle. But many kingfisher species dive headfirst into the water to catch their fishy prey. In a new scientific journal study Biology of Communicationresearchers compared the DNA of 30 different kingfisher species to zero in on genes that may help explain the birds’ diet and ability to dive without brain damage. The type of diving that kingfishers do — which researchers call “plunge-diving” — is an aeronautic feat. “It’s a quick dive from air to water, and it’s done…

Unforgettable encounter in Mammals Part II It is generally considered that there are more deer in Britain today than in the Middle Ages, a fact that is almost certainly true. There is also a greater variety of deer living here today than there were four or five hundred years ago, for along with our native Roe and Red Deer, we also have large populations of Fallow, Sika, Reeves’s Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer. The Fallow has been present in Britain for many hundreds of years, but the Sika, Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer are relatively recent arrivals. Muntjac by Reevesa…

January 18, 2024—Today, the Seal River Watershed Alliance signed an agreement with the Government of Canada and the government of Manitoba that will pave the way for the establishment of one of the largest Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA) in Canada. The National Audubon Society applauds this historic step toward protecting northern Manitoba’s vast Seal River Watershed, which is one of the most biologically diverse and ecologically important regions in the world for birds and other life. said Dr. Jeff Wells, Audubon’s vice president of boreal conservation, “The Seal River Watershed is an amazing area filled with rich habitat…

Most birders dream of seeing a Ross’s Gull at some point. Tom Johnson’s adventurous spirit and impeccable camera captured this beautiful image from Alaska’s North Slope. Photo by Tom Johnson / Macaulay Library. From the Winter 2024 issue of Living Bird magazine. Subscribe now. In July 2023, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology community lost a dear friend and colleague when Tom Johnson passed away unexpectedly at the age of 35. Tom’s exceptional skills in photography, bird identification, and as a birding tour guide are driven by his love of being out in nature. Johnson generously contributed more than 10,000 photos,…

The Senegal Bird Atlas is an initiative of the Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, with the support of the African-Eurasian Migratory Landbird Action Plan (AEMLAP). The project is a first for a French-speaking country in Africa and is an important part of the Africa Bird Atlas Project. The Senegal Bird Atlas project was launched at Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar on November 20th2023. The launch brought together various stakeholders including Cheikh Anta Diop University, Switzerland Ornithological Institute, Senegal National Parc Direction (DPN), Senegal Community Marine Protected Areas Department (DMCP), Nature Communauté et Développement (BirdLife Partner in Senegal), Wetlands International…

In his book Tales of a Tribe, author Mark Cocker describes an unfortunate incident that happened to a friend. One night while camping in the Himalayas, a birding friend heard a Satyr Tragopan calling He left the camp to look for the bird, and was never seen again. The non-birds will ask: what happened, did they search and look hard, did aliens abduct him? The birds will ask: did he see the bird? Sadly, we don’t know. Is birding a dangerous sport, an extreme sport? In his truly entertaining book about his Australian Big Year, Sean Dooley describes how British…

— OPINION — If you recall, two weeks ago, I launched my column, “The Litigated Dish,” with the goal of addressing the Internet’s most frequently asked food safety questions. I got a bit off topic last week when I discussed the most shocking recent outbreak of foodborne illness, but I’m back on track. We’ve figured out one of the top searches on Google: the top foodborne pathogens. Another very popular question is whether foodborne illness is contagious. This question, however, is quite broad because – which food borne illness? There are several bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause foodborne…

As a pet parent, making sure your dog is healthy and happy should be at the top of your list of priorities. This means taking care of not only their physical well-being but also their mental health. Stay tuned and we’ll discuss some easy and unexpected ways you can actively contribute to your dog’s overall well-being. Nutritious Foods: Adjusting Diet to Maximize Your Pooch’s Health Feeding your dog more than leftovers from lunch is important for their health. Each breed, age, and size of dog requires a different diet so determining what is best can be a challenge. What works…

Just a few years ago, the FDA alerted pet owners to a potential problem (stress potential) in pet food. In July of 2018, the FDA notified the public that the agency was investigating a potential connection between pet food and cases of canine heart disease. Although this 2018 notice does not specifically state how many adverse event reports the FDA has received related to canine heart disease, it appears from this first public notice – not many. “Medical records for four atypical cases of DCM, three Golden Retrievers and one Labrador Retriever, show that these dogs had low whole blood…

Despite RTO rules being actively enforced, remote work and virtual meetings are more common than ever. Given their nature, they offer us a peek into the colleagues’ personal spaces, including surprise cameos by their pets. These unexpected “guests” add charm to our daily work routines but can also present challenges. This guide provides a light-hearted look at introducing your pets to work calls and using these moments to foster connection and camaraderie. Source: Unsplash Why Introducing Your Pet is a Good Idea The phrase “All work and no play” doesn’t apply in the world of virtual meetings, especially with our…