GlassHalfHopeful

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/19034034

How do you teach a bird how, and where, to fly?

The distinctive Northern Bald Ibis, hunted essentially to extinction by the 17th century, was revived by breeding and rewilding efforts over the last two decades. But the birds — known for their distinctive black-and-iridescent green plumage, bald red head and long curved beak — don’t instinctively know which direction to fly to migrate without the guidance of wild-born elders. So a team of scientists and conservationists stepped in as foster parents and flight instructors.

“We have to teach them the migration route,” said biologist Johannes Fritz.

This is kind of big news. I never would have expected it.

This is kind of big. I would have never expected it.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/21718242

• Author: /u/tW188y
• Link Shared on Reddit
• Original Reddit Comments

From the article:

This feat is impressive, as an 800 km (500 mi), non-stop flight over water would seemingly require a caloric energy that far exceeds an adult hummingbird's body weight of 3 g (0.11 oz). However, researchers discovered the tiny birds can double their fat mass in preparation for their Gulf crossing, then expend the entire calorie reserve from fat during the 20-hour non-stop crossing when food and water are unavailable.

This is nuts!

Is there any way to install and use the Gemini App without the Google App and forced association of the account with my Android phone?

I have a specific Google account just for Gemini, but I neither use the Google app nor desire for my phone to maintain this alt google account as one of the phone associates accounts. I think many folks would prefer login stay within the app itself.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/20749204

Another positive step in the right direction for an organization rife with brokenness. There's a lot I don't like about the organization, but this is something a love--a scouting organization open to young women and the lgbtq community. The next step is being inclusive of nonreligious agnostic and atheist youth and leaders. As well as ending the cultural appropriation of Native American peoples.

May this organization continue to build up youth, never allow further violence against youth, and make amends for all the wrongs. There's a lot of good that comes out of organizations like this and I won't discount it even though it's riddled with a dark history.

😳

Could anyone recommend a OnePlus 11 telephoto lens attachment? My searches are coming up dry so far.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/13638497

A new study of Japanese tits provides the first evidence of non-primate animals using gestures to convey messages

When a mated pair of small birds called Japanese tits arrives at the nest, one of them might flutter its wings at the other. The second bird then typically enters the nest first. This motion might be a signal, meant to convey the message “after you” to the other bird, scientists reported Monday in the journal Current Biology.

The research provides the first evidence of animals besides primates using gestures to communicate meaning. The result “shows that Japanese tits not only use wing fluttering as a symbolic gesture, but also in a complex social context involving a sender, receiver and a specific goal, much like how humans communicate,” Toshitaka Suzuki, a co-author of the new study and a biologist at the University of Tokyo, tells Science News’ Darren Incorvaia.

My youngest shared a page from his funny poem book with me. I laughed out loud quite literally and thought I would share it with you all as well. 💜

Can anyone recommend a OnePlus 11 telephoto lens attachment? My initial searches seem to be coming up dry.

Does anyone know of a Duolingo-like birding application that gamifies bird identification?

(Particularly for Android and extra points for sound ID in addition to visual ID)