https://toughlittlebirds.com/2021/06/18/two-birds-in-the-hand-is-worth-1000-words/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/rckihuvi.jpegRCKI+HUVIhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/sosp_juv_vs_adult.jpegSOSP_juv_vs_adulthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/spto_x2.jpegSPTO_x2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/wifl_vs_wefl.jpgWIFL_vs_WEFLhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/spto_adult_side.jpegSPTO_adult_sidehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/rwbl_female3.jpegRWBL_female3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/rwbl_female2.jpegRWBL_female2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/rwbl_female.jpegRWBL_femalehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/wiwa_sy_femalemale.jpegWIWA_SY_female+malehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pufi_x2.jpegPUFI_x22021-06-21T19:38:34+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2021/05/25/meet-some-birds-in-notes-from-the-station/2021-05-25T21:25:59+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2021/04/18/bird-social-networks/2021-04-19T02:32:49+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/katie-labarberas-academic-homepage/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/me_green_hair-e1551826565871.jpgme_green_hair2021-04-18T20:27:01+00:00weekly0.6https://toughlittlebirds.com/about-tough-little-birds/2021-04-06T16:07:49+00:00weekly0.6https://toughlittlebirds.com/support-research/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/img_4960.jpgIMG_4960A male Common Yellowthroat banded by the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, about to be released.2021-04-05T22:29:52+00:00weekly0.6https://toughlittlebirds.com/about/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/memeliara.jpgme+MeliaraYoung me with a robin chick. My career path may not have exactly shocked anyone.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/memagg.jpgme+MAGGme with MAGGhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/me1.jpgme2021-05-27T22:25:21+00:00weekly0.6https://toughlittlebirds.com/2021/04/05/oh-hey-i-run-a-bird-banding-station-now/2022-06-29T18:03:26+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2019/08/17/small/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dsc_2758summerbug.jpgDSC_2758summerbughttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dsc_2770summerbug.jpgDSC_2770summerbughttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dsc_2780summerbug.jpgDSC_2780summerbughttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dsc_2802summerbug.jpgDSC_2802summerbughttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dsc_2724summerbug.jpgDSC_2724summerbughttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dsc_2637summerbug.jpgDSC_2637summerbughttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dsc_2588summerbug.jpgDSC_2588summerbughttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dsc_2493summerbug.jpgDSC_2493summerbughttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dsc_2475summerbug.jpgDSC_2475summerbughttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/dsc_2429summerbug.jpgDSC_2429summerbug2021-01-19T20:40:48+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2019/06/08/tough-little-frogs/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/img_3181.jpgIMG_3181https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/img_3620.jpgIMG_3620https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/img_3433.jpgIMG_3433https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/img_3240.jpgIMG_3240https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/img_3045.jpgIMG_3045https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/img_3535.jpgIMG_3535https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/img_3304.jpgIMG_3304https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/img_3024.jpgIMG_3024https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/img_3164.jpgIMG_3164https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/img_3505.jpgIMG_35052020-01-27T05:11:10+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2019/05/21/frog-season/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/img_2809.jpgIMG_2809https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/img_2750.jpgIMG_2750https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/img_2701.jpgIMG_2701https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/img_2684.jpgIMG_2684https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/img_2688.jpgIMG_2688https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/img_2805.jpgIMG_2805https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/frog4.jpgfrog4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/img_2742.jpgIMG_2742https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/img_2725.jpgIMG_2725https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/img_2723.jpgIMG_27232019-06-07T23:14:07+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2019/03/20/the-space-for-time-substitution/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dsc_1614marshwren.jpgDSC_1614marshwrenHey hey everyone this is the best patch of reeds and it's mine!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dsc_1619marshwren.jpgDSC_1619marshwrenAlso guess what, this is the best body and it's mine toohttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dsc_1625marshwren.jpgDSC_1625marshwrenLook how I can arch it over my back, uh-huh ladieshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dsc_1633marshwren.jpgDSC_1633marshwrenhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dsc_1639marshwren.jpgDSC_1639marshwrenLook at my tail ladieshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dsc_2059hummingbird.jpgDSC_2059hummingbirdhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dsc_2061hummingbird.jpgDSC_2061hummingbirdhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dsc_1512hummingbird.jpgDSC_1512hummingbirdDid I just see another male looking at my mate??https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dsc_1513hummingbird.jpgDSC_1513hummingbirdHow about I angle my magenta feathers in your direction and ask that question again, huh, buddy? What do you think now?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dsc_1588hummingbird.jpgDSC_1588hummingbird[This photo isn't great, but if you look closely to the right of the hummingbird you can see the spiderweb she is gathering.]2019-03-20T21:53:58+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2019/03/07/can-tuco-tucos-survive-a-volcanic-eruption/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/imgp0688.jpgIMGP0688A tuco-tuco in the ash. Photo courtesy of Eileen Lacey.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/chupaceniza.jpgChupaCenizaDr. Lacey in the ash. Photo courtesy of Eileen Lacey.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ashsunset.jpgAshSunsetAsh sunset. Photo courtesy of Eileen Lacey.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/fullsizerender-6.jpgFullSizeRender (6)Extremely realistic artist's rendering of tuco-tucos witnessing the eruption.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/6750277067_7df1854f16_b.jpg6750277067_7df1854f16_bSatellite image of the ash plume during the eruption. Photo courtesy of NASA.2019-03-12T18:13:10+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/12/20/new-state-new-science-and-some-old-science-too/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/FullSizeRender-4.jpgFullSizeRender (4)A lovely Nashville Warbler who collided with a window downtown, who I warmed up and kept safe until he could fly off again.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/frog5.jpgfrog5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/frog3.jpgfrog3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/frog.jpgfroghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/frog2.jpgfrog2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Sigma_road_trip.jpgSigma_road_tripSigma the Madagascar giant day gecko looking out the window at Wyoming.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/samples2.jpgsamples22019-03-07T06:53:12+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/11/13/is-it-debunked/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/tellin3.jpgTellin3Hmph.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/tellin_bitey3.jpgTellin_bitey3HAH!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/tellin4.jpgTellin4I wrap myself in the cozy confidence that this article looks legitimatehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/tellinlimpet_tree.jpgTellin+Limpet_treeReliable News Organization and I have seen the light, and the light says your paper is the worst.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/tellinlimpet_table.jpgTellin+Limpet_tableSee! Reliable News Organization said it! Look at Reliable News Organization's learned green eyes!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/tellin_tea.jpgTellin_teaI will spill tea on your computer so you can't publish any more nonsense.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/tellin_posing1.jpgTellin_posing1But the sources...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/tellin_posing2.jpgTellin_posing2Not ever.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/tellin_saxo_wrestle2.jpgTellin_Saxo_wrestle2I have defeated you just like I have defeated this ferret!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/tellin_saxo_wrestle3.jpgTellin_Saxo_wrestle3"Error" right there! You admit that you're wrong!2018-11-16T19:16:56+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/09/02/the-best-deer/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/dsc_0322trilegged_deer1.jpgDSC_0322trilegged_deerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/dsc_0326trilegged_deer1.jpgDSC_0326trilegged_deerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/dsc_0325trilegged_deer1.jpgDSC_0325trilegged_deerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/dsc_0325trilegged_deer.jpgDSC_0325trilegged_deerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/dsc_0317trilegged_deer.jpgDSC_0317trilegged_deer2018-10-14T18:00:40+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/07/05/what-can-we-learn-from-1500-junco-bills/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/dsc_2956.jpgDSC_2956https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/dsc_02151.jpgDSC_0215https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/dsc_0215.jpgDSC_0215https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/dsc_0562.jpgDSC_0562https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/img_7211.jpgIMG_72112018-08-25T13:21:55+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/08/13/junco-neighbors/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/dsc_9079junco.jpgDSC_9079juncohttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/dsc_9056junco.jpgDSC_9056juncoWhy is so much stuff not food?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/dsc_9043junco.jpgDSC_9043juncoHow do I know?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/dsc_9031junco.jpgDSC_9031juncoCan I eat that?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/dsc_9022junco.jpgDSC_9022juncoThis doesn't taste like food.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/dsc_9012junco.jpgDSC_9012juncohttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/dsc_9007junco.jpgDSC_9007juncohttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/dsc_8994junco.jpgDSC_8994juncohttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/dsc_8986junco.jpgDSC_8986juncohttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/dsc_7390junco.jpgDSC_7390juncoThen line them up so they can all fit in my bill.2021-06-30T15:46:05+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/07/26/they-fly-at-you-shrieking/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_9276.jpgIMG_9276https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_9272.jpgIMG_9272https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_9268.jpgIMG_9268https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_8914.jpgIMG_8914https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/barnowl_chick.jpgBarnOwl_chickhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_5376.jpgIMG_53762018-08-12T15:29:44+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/07/10/north-carolina-bycatch-part-2-a-new-junco/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_8063.jpgIMG_8063A second Slate-colored Junco got caught a few days later.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_8058.jpgIMG_8058https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_8051.jpgIMG_8051https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_8040.jpgIMG_8040https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_8002.jpgIMG_8002https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_7998.jpgIMG_7998https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_7981.jpgIMG_7981https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_7973.jpgIMG_7973https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_7962.jpgIMG_7962https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_7951.jpgIMG_79512018-07-11T16:19:22+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/07/01/north-carolina-field-work-part-2-vanishing/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_7118-1.jpgIMG_7118 (1)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_71311.jpgIMG_7131https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_71301.jpgIMG_7130https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_71251.jpgIMG_7125https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_81361.jpgIMG_8136https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_81171.jpgIMG_8117https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_81131.jpgIMG_8113https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_80971.jpgIMG_8097"Ooh whatcha got in here, banding equipment? I love banding equipment!"https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_80801.jpgIMG_8080https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/img_80321.jpgIMG_80322018-07-02T21:10:07+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/06/14/north-carolina-bycatch-part-1/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6823.jpgIMG_6823Perhaps not.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6816.jpgIMG_6816This Eastern Towhee did not experience anything remotely horrifying enough to justify his expression.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6773.jpgIMG_6773Yeah I've got a crest.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6767.jpgIMG_6767You'd better hope I don't tell my friends about you.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6765.jpgIMG_6765And secret cinnamon sides; so?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6755.jpgIMG_6755Oh who me?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6748.jpgIMG_6748https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6742.jpgIMG_6742https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6724.jpgIMG_6724https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6722.jpgIMG_6722Why not?2018-06-19T14:58:45+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/06/10/north-carolina-field-work-part-1-green-green/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_7064.jpgIMG_7064https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6790.jpgIMG_6790Each individual has a different amount of grey in the crown.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6710.jpgIMG_6710https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6708.jpgIMG_6708https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6661.jpgIMG_6661https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6622.jpgIMG_6622Handsome, elusive bird.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_7106.jpgIMG_7106https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_7104.jpgIMG_7104https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_7101.jpgIMG_7101The 11th and last Kentucky Warbler we sampled.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_6949.jpgIMG_69492018-06-10T22:51:11+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/05/22/you-scared-baby-birds-out-of-their-nest-oh-no-will-they-be-okay/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/35090560331_bc4523105a_z.jpg35090560331_bc4523105a_zWait, what? (Photo by Eric Ellingson: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ericellingson/)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/19127115464_6b5d0da1ed_z.jpg19127115464_6b5d0da1ed_zDon't be ridiculous. I am vulnerable to nothing. (Photo by Guttorm Flatabø: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dittaeva/)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2486466297_c685665d69_z.jpg2486466297_c685665d69_zBaby American Robin is outta here. Photo by Timothy K Hamilton: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bestrated1/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/34400397391_5e76daf93d_z.jpg34400397391_5e76daf93d_zThat sounds terrible. You should feel terrible. (Photo by bramblejungle: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bramblejungle/)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/35078753401_0abb725c82_z.jpg35078753401_0abb725c82_zBecause we are super tough. (Photo by Robin Horn: https://www.flickr.com/photos/powerkey/)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2564339953_08475986f6_z.jpg2564339953_08475986f6_zWe die, probably. Don't forget to feel terrible. (Photo by Dave_S.: https://www.flickr.com/photos/david_e_smith/)2021-05-31T20:40:52+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/04/30/i-knew-there-was-a-reason-i-kept-all-of-my-field-gear/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/17708999934_d5cfdd38ba_z.jpg17708999934_d5cfdd38ba_zhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/5715883166_5b0dbc339c_z.jpg5715883166_5b0dbc339c_zhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/5141585011_54f990bf4b_z.jpgAmerican Redstart2018-05-13T19:06:47+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/02/28/another-delightfully-anomalous-junco/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fullsizerender-35.jpgFullSizeRender (35)On his way to the hospital.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dsc_2794.jpgDSC_2794https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dsc_2766.jpgDSC_2766https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dsc_2734.jpgDSC_2734https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dsc_2731.jpgDSC_2731https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dsc_2727.jpgDSC_2727https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dsc_2710.jpgDSC_2710https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dsc_2702.jpgDSC_2702https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dsc_2167.jpgDSC_2167Poor guy.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/dsc_2149.jpgDSC_2149Elderly manatee?2018-03-05T23:02:31+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/02/14/when-forbidden-love-creates-a-new-species/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/9331754448_201cd27107_z.jpg9331754448_201cd27107_zA female medium ground finch, like the one that bred with Big Bird. (Photo by budgora on flickr, used via a Creative Commons license.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/screen-shot-2018-02-13-at-11-30-55-am.pngScreen Shot 2018-02-13 at 11.30.55 AMLeft-to-right: snow-capped manakin, golden-crowned manakin, opal-crowned manakin. Rectangles show the crown feathers for each species. From Fig. 1, Barrera-Guzmán et al. 2017.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/6673918839_a4b82de4ef_z.jpg6673918839_a4b82de4ef_zA large male cactus finch, like Big Bird. Quite the bill! (Photo by Wildlife Travel on flickr, used via a Creative Commons license.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/6788002810_f0725e73b0_z.jpg6788002810_f0725e73b0_zThat's cool, can I get a yellow crown? (Female white-beared manakin; photo by Nathan Rupert on flickr, used via a Creative Commons license.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/screen-shot-2018-02-13-at-11-04-26-am.pngScreen Shot 2018-02-13 at 11.04.26 AMLeft-to-right: snow-capped manakin, golden-crowned manakin, opal-crowned manakin. Rectangles show the crown feathers for each species. From Fig. 1, Barrera-Guzmán et al. 2017.2018-02-16T15:08:16+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2018/01/13/sea-urchins-are-giant-eyeballs-covered-in-spikes/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2482179154_d3a7554698_z.jpg2482179154_d3a7554698_zThe compound eyes of a male striped horse fly: lots of wells, each capped by a lens, and of differing sizes depending on whether resolution or detection of movement is more important. (Photo by Thomas Shahan on flickr, used via a Creative Commons license.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/321379143_72880a9343_z.jpg321379143_72880a9343_zPhoto by jayhem on flickr, used through a Creative Commons license.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/4758040656_3ba82840d1_z.jpg4758040656_3ba82840d1_zWatch out fish, you're swimming through a forest of eyeballs! (Photo by Joi Ito on flickr, used via a Creative Commons license.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/7323012328_96a20462bf_z.jpg7323012328_96a20462bf_zWhatever, I'm too cool for them. (Photo by JesseClaggett on flickr, used via a Creative Commons license.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/9687186748_53ca4a4a6e_z.jpg9687186748_53ca4a4a6e_zSorry, slate pencil urchin: your spines are cool, but there are so few of them that we know that your vision is terrible. (Photo by NOAA Photo Library on flickr, used via a Creative Commons license.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/202956727_60ea175651_z.jpg202956727_60ea175651_zhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/3116766506_922bd8120a_z.jpg3116766506_922bd8120a_zThe long bendy appendages with wide tops are the tubefeet. The urchin can extend and retract them, and can grip things with them. (Photo by kqedquest on flickr, used via a Creative Commons license.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/16455860102_388988b419_z.jpg16455860102_388988b419_zHey handsome, I like your blurry smudges. (Photo by Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith on flickr, used via a Creative Commons license.)2018-04-21T18:34:31+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/12/28/young-red-tailed-hawk-vs-the-ice/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/dsc_9431.jpgDSC_9431https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/dsc_9366.jpgDSC_9366https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/dsc_9351.jpgDSC_9351https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/dsc_9350.jpgDSC_9350https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/dsc_9349.jpgDSC_9349https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/dsc_9348.jpgDSC_9348https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/dsc_9347.jpgDSC_9347https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/dsc_9346.jpgDSC_9346https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/dsc_9345.jpgDSC_9345https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/dsc_9344.jpgDSC_93442018-01-01T00:59:34+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/12/21/banding-station-highlights-are-watching-you/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_9607.jpgIMG_9607Male Common Yellowthroathttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_9436.jpgIMG_9436California Towheehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_9396.jpgIMG_9396Aha, there's that eye.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_9369.jpgIMG_9369Northern Mockingbirdhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_8671.jpgIMG_8671American Robinhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_8580.jpgIMG_8580But my eyesssss are pretty too!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_8578.jpgIMG_8578Yesssssssss I do.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_8131.jpgIMG_8131The bright yellow eyes mean this Bushtit is female.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_2736.jpgIMG_2736Northern Mockingbirdhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_2730.jpgIMG_2730Northern Mockingbird2017-12-22T20:24:22+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/12/12/banding-station-highlights-are-small-and-fuzzy/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/fullsizerender-3.jpgFullSizeRender (3)Lesser Goldfinches with different amounts of black on the head.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_9399.jpgIMG_9399The sun rising behind the mist nets at the banding station.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_9393.jpgIMG_9393Cold mist hanging over the banding station as the sun rises.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_8034.jpgIMG_8034https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_8028.jpgIMG_8028Yikes, I'm glad I live here. (Chestnut-backed Chickadee.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_3330.jpgIMG_3330https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_3319.jpgIMG_3319https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_3266.jpgIMG_3266Female Ruby-crowned Kinglethttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_3263.jpgIMG_3263https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/img_2825.jpgIMG_28252018-01-30T11:08:45+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/12/01/the-massive-tiny-scale-of-ancient-dna/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/varma_tuco.jpgvarma_tucoWild tuco-tuco. Photo by Anand Varma, former member of the Lacey lab; http://www.varmaphoto.com/2017-12-02T19:18:02+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/11/22/other-lives/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/img_2600.jpgIMG_2600One of those other lives: a one-legged (but healthy) Black Phoebe.2017-11-23T13:29:05+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/10/20/start-looking/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/screen-shot-2017-10-20-at-10-21-31-am.pngScreen Shot 2017-10-20 at 10.21.31 AMFig. 1 from Van Doren et al. 2017, showing birds within the light beams and the differences in bird density when the lights are on vs. off.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/4981123969_afede97a27_z.jpg4981123969_afede97a27_zThe Tribute in Light, seen from afar. Photo by andrewmurrayhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/img_4312.jpgIMG_4312This gecko in Costa Rica is actually fine with artificial light at night: the moths come to the lights, and he eats them.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/987598847_5d985fc1dc_z.jpg987598847_5d985fc1dc_zIt's easy to see how you might fall for that gorgeous plumage. Photo by Phil McIver, reproduced from flickr under a Creative Commons license.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/screen-shot-2017-10-20-at-9-16-48-am.pngScreen Shot 2017-10-20 at 9.16.48 AMThellesen checking the starling nestboxes. Photo by Henning Heldbjerg.2017-10-24T21:41:53+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/09/28/photo-anole-shedding-but-displaying-anyway/2017-09-28T18:22:45+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/09/23/fat-bird-season/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/img_95951.jpgIMG_9595A blue dasher sits on my fingers for a moment after being extracted from the net.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/img_9038.jpgIMG_9038The furculum is right under the bottom of the black "beard" on this very handsome, very angry Bullock's Oriole.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/img_1702.jpgIMG_1702https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/img_1676.jpgIMG_1676A common green darner, angrily chewing on the net.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/img_1657.jpgIMG_1657https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/img_1662.jpgIMG_1662https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/img_1697.jpgIMG_1697Migrating Yellow Warbler.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/img_1291.jpgIMG_1291Yellow Warblerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/img_1266.jpgIMG_1266Also they are just *so* yellow.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/img_1275.jpgIMG_1275Fortunately we still have another characteristic marking by which to know them: the yellow on the tailfeathers.2017-09-25T14:52:31+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/09/05/a-new-fuzzier-project/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/img_7966.jpgIMG_7966A young tuco-tucohttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/img_7968.jpgIMG_7968The noble tuco-tuco, a subterranean South American rodent.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/img_7986.jpgIMG_7986Why isn't it flying away?2017-09-06T00:00:15+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/08/24/birds-and-turtles-work-hard-even-before-they-hatch-from-their-eggs/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/5886390837_0fbe49d395_z.jpg5886390837_0fbe49d395_zThere's more going on in there than you think. Photo by Chris Setterhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/33329456160_fe953ee9ea_z.jpg33329456160_fe953ee9ea_zYou don't get the bug unless you can say the password. Photo by patrickkavanagh on flickr, used via a Creative Commons license.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/8620502615_5462127792_z.jpg8620502615_5462127792_zhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/9570215778_1b17e526af_z.jpg9570215778_1b17e526af_zAlthough really you should be picturing the female Superb Fairy-wren, not the male, for the rest of this story. Photo by patrickkavanagh on flickr, used via a Creative Commons license.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/35336849364_fa3bfb8662_z.jpg35336849364_fa3bfb8662_zSuperb Fairy-wren (male). Photo by Kazredracerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/6657759599_6ff1bbcfb4_z.jpg6657759599_6ff1bbcfb4_zThe Shining Bronze-cuckoo. Photo by David Cook on flickr, used via a Creative Commons license.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/madrid_turtles.jpgMadrid_turtlesThese turtles have been basking since before they were hatched.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/screen-shot-2017-08-24-at-3-35-04-pm.pngScreen Shot 2017-08-24 at 3.35.04 PMFigure 1 from Du et al. 20112017-09-17T05:43:36+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/08/11/very-hungry-caterpillars/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2128252393_a7100b47d6_z.jpg2128252393_a7100b47d6_zPhoto by Andrea Westmoreland, reproduced through a Creative Common license from Flickr.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/34401906654_b83b2986be_z.jpg34401906654_b83b2986be_zSave us, little buddy! Photo by nick goodrum, reproduced through a Creative Common license from Flickr.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/14995533357_981bbc4fca_z.jpg14995533357_981bbc4fca_zMonarch caterpillar, which feeds on the toxic milkweed. Photo by Ben Saren, reproduced through a Creative Common license from Flickr.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/6510755593_3d9e3ede32_z.jpg6510755593_3d9e3ede32_zAdult wax moth on a beehive, presumably laying eggs. Photo by Maja Dumat, reproduced through a Creative Common license from Flickr.2017-08-13T21:08:49+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/05/27/putting-my-ornithology-expertise-to-good-use/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dsc_3847.jpgDSC_3847https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dsc_3939.jpgDSC_3939Also for dust-bathing.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dsc_3857.jpgDSC_3857https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/img_9618.jpgIMG_96182017-05-28T08:05:29+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/05/17/learn-about-speciation-from-that-one-weird-duck-at-the-park/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_6809.jpgDSC_6809https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_0788-1-1.jpgDSC_0788-1 (1)Four hybrids matinghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/cinnamon_teal_368r.jpgNorth Pond W of Peggy Notebart Nature Museum Fullerton Ave W of LSD Chicago, ILThis Cinnamon Teal devotedly courted a female Mallard. Perhaps it was raised near Mallards when it was young. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_9941.jpgDSC_9941...Or a Pied-billed Grebe?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_9921.jpgDSC_9921https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_9909.jpgDSC_9909https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_9608.jpgDSC_9608Don't worry, the hybrid female didn't get drowned by her paramours. She hopped onto land and spent a long time preening herself afterwards.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_9593.jpgDSC_9593Don't even think about it.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_9592.jpgDSC_9592https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_9591.jpgDSC_9591Heyyy check out those tailfeathers.2017-09-02T04:27:15+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/05/02/parallel-universes/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/img_8636.jpgIMG_8636Duck and raccoon printshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/img_8522.jpgIMG_8522Raccoon hand prints near a human bootprint.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/img_8520.jpgIMG_8520Gray fox (?) tracks.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/img_8519.jpgIMG_8519Egret footprintshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/img_8511.jpgIMG_8511https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/img_8503.jpgIMG_8503Lots of little squirrel (?) footprints, and something canine (?) running.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_0668.jpgDSC_0668Male Common Yellowthroathttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_0646.jpgDSC_0646Song Sparrowhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_6496.jpgDSC_6496https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_6432.jpgDSC_64322017-05-02T17:36:43+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/07/17/baby-birds-fallen-from-nests-and-other-questions/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/stella2.jpgStella2Can I eat this? Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/stella1.jpgStella1Stella the fledgling Stellar's Jayhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mayo_example.jpgMAYO_exampleMAYO was still in the nest, but she could survive outside of it if she needed to. A bird that looks like this, feathered and able to run, is a fledgling and should be left to its parents' care.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chicks.jpgchicksJunco chicks much too young to be out of the nest. Note the bare skin and inability to do much besides sit still and eat. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/img_6344.jpgIMG_63442021-05-27T22:09:54+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/04/25/found-an-orphanedinjured-wild-animal-heres-why-you-should-take-it-to-a-wildlife-rehabilitator/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/img_6263.jpgIMG_6263Orphaned nestling American Robin, hungry.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/img_5220.jpgIMG_5220Can you tell these berries apart? Do you know which birds should get berries? Note the berries in the bottom right that are toxic.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/img_5100.jpgIMG_5100A minor example of the detailed, species-specific knowledge wildlife rehabbers have access to: a guide to perch sizes for various species.2020-10-16T06:33:05+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/04/14/bathtime-carefully/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_0477.jpgDSC_0477https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_0453.jpgDSC_0453https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_0345.jpgDSC_0345https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_0346.jpgDSC_0346Did anybody see that?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_0366.jpgDSC_0366https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_0348.jpgDSC_0348...and this is the front end.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_0389.jpgDSC_0389https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_0438.jpgDSC_0438This is what the back end looks like...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_0485.jpgDSC_0485You have to do it like this, kid: get everything wet.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/dsc_9602.jpgDSC_96022017-06-04T02:29:47+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/04/10/saving-individuals/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/planet-earth-2-turtle-751905.jpgPlanet-Earth-2-turtle-751905A hatchling Hawksbill sea turtle in Planet Earth II.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/screen-shot-2017-04-09-at-10-15-29-pm.pngScreen Shot 2017-04-09 at 10.15.29 PMhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/screen-shot-2017-04-09-at-10-11-46-pm.pngScreen Shot 2017-04-09 at 10.11.46 PMSome tweets collected by USA Today for an article on this topic (article at https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/12/13/planet-earth-ii-crew-saved-baby-turtles-certain-death-human-kind-light-turtles-death-cars-drains/95365848/)2017-07-26T20:11:16+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/03/29/house-wrens-are-complicated-mysterious-cheaters/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/img_4308.jpgIMG_4308Another fun aspect of this research: to tell the chicks apart so that I could consistently match weights to individual chicks, I colored their legs with nontoxic marker.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/img_4226.jpgIMG_4226https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/chick_day9.jpgchick_day9In 8 days, that chick needs to look like this.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/img_4221.jpgIMG_4221https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/img_4269.jpgIMG_4269Weighing a young chick.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/img_4468.jpgIMG_4468In 12 days, that chick needs to look like this.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/img_4249.jpgIMG_4249The just-hatched chick, still wet from the egg.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/box18_hatching6.jpgbox18_hatching6https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/box18_hatching1.jpgbox18_hatching1The contents of nestbox 18: four chicks hatched earlier that morning, one unhatchd egg, and one egg (lower right) actually in the process of hatching.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/img_4380.jpgIMG_4380A brood of American Robins illustrating this: the chick in the middle looks about two days younger than its siblings.2021-04-10T19:17:09+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/03/14/this-webcomic-gets-it/2017-03-16T21:17:18+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/02/27/scarred/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_8030.jpgdsc_8030A bloody male, snoozing.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_8023.jpgdsc_8023https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_8022.jpgdsc_8022https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_8015.jpgdsc_8015https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_8010.jpgdsc_8010https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7971.jpgdsc_7971https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7968.jpgdsc_7968You've got a ways to go, kid.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7959.jpgdsc_7959https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7958.jpgdsc_7958https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7955.jpgdsc_79552017-09-02T04:32:42+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/02/20/cats-are-in-a-human-made-trap-its-our-duty-to-get-them-out-of-it/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/7454724702_a39bf379f6_z.jpg7454724702_a39bf379f6_zPhoto by Brandon O'Connor from flickr.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/xenicuslongipesbuller.jpgxenicuslongipesbullerThe extinct Bushwren, a tiny, almost flightless bird from New Zealand. Populations were initially decimated by introduced rats and weasels. Feral cats killed the survivors. From: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:XenicusLongipesBuller.jpghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/256px-xenicuslongipesbuller.jpg256px-xenicuslongipesbullerThe extinct Bushwren, a tiny, almost flightless bird from New Zealand. Populations were initially decimated by introduced rats and weasels. Feral cats killed the survivors. From: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:XenicusLongipesBuller.jpghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/img_6231.jpgimg_6231All also things that are not my fault.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/img_5147.jpgimg_5147https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/img_4161.jpgimg_4161Guard the bicycleshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/img_2952.jpgimg_2952Grade student papershttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/img_2935.jpgimg_2935But she has sat in lots of boxes.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/img_2915.jpgimg_2915This one was especially comfy.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/img_2724.jpgimg_2724It looks like I'm sleeping, but I am watching your every move.2017-11-12T22:56:17+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/02/14/happy-valentines-day-pigeons/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7482.jpgdsc_7482https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7475.jpgdsc_7475And they come in sparkly colors with crazy eyes.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7467.jpgdsc_7467https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7437.jpgdsc_7437https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7436.jpgdsc_7436https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7434.jpgdsc_7434https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7433.jpgdsc_7433https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7432.jpgdsc_7432https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7430.jpgdsc_7430https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_7420.jpgdsc_7420He blinked.2018-12-03T14:21:09+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/02/02/gooseneck-barnacles-and-barnacle-geese/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/preformation.gifpreformationAs drawn by N. Hartsoeker in 1695. Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=635170https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/14494737259_1ee2e0850b_z.jpg14494737259_1ee2e0850b_zAustralian Wood Ducks guarding their nest in this tree cavity. Photo by Rhys Moult*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/449683065_74ba5d1787_z.jpg449683065_74ba5d1787_zNewly-hatched ducklings in a tree cavity. Photo by Steve Brace*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/barnacle_geese_fac_simile_of_an_engraving_on_wood_from_the_cosmographie_universelle_of_munster_folio_basle_1552.pngbarnacle_geese_fac_simile_of_an_engraving_on_wood_from_the_cosmographie_universelle_of_munster_folio_basle_1552The barnacle tree. Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16647315https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_8489.jpgdsc_8489https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/dsc_8477.jpgdsc_8477Gooseneck barnacleshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/4812537877_c61f65bc79_z.jpg4812537877_c61f65bc79_zGeese. (Photo by Tomi Tapio K*)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/3792612904_11295c536a_z.jpg3792612904_11295c536a_zhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/3922901715_c83e5498f2_z.jpg3922901715_c83e5498f2_zBarnacle Geese with an older gosling. Still not in a barnacle. Photo by Roine Johansson*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/8640807837_54d8a06ce4_z.jpg8640807837_54d8a06ce4_zUm… no. (Photo by Caleb Putnam*)2017-02-03T17:50:31+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/01/23/the-pros-and-cons-of-trying-to-eat-everything/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_9236.jpgdsc_9236https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_7246.jpgdsc_7246Like tiny fish.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_6262.jpgdsc_6262https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_6241.jpgdsc_6241https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_6240.jpgdsc_6240https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_6235.jpgdsc_6235What the heck are you doing?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/quintin_gull.jpgquintin_gullSmash! (Photo by Q. Stedman, _quintin_ on Flickr.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_9262.jpgdsc_9262I am the pinnacle of intelligence.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_9260.jpgdsc_9260Or whatever this is.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_9254.jpgdsc_92542017-03-29T19:38:29+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2017/01/17/not-chasing-marsh-wrens/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_2465.jpgdsc_2465https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_2463.jpgdsc_2463https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_5888-1.jpgdsc_5888-1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_5886-1.jpgdsc_5886-1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_5883-1.jpgdsc_5883-1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_5573.jpgdsc_5573https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_4696-1.jpgdsc_4696-1Gathering some fluff before diving back into hiding.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_2711.jpgdsc_2711https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_2601.jpgdsc_2601Song Sparrowhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/dsc_2462.jpgdsc_2462Peekaboo.2017-01-23T06:26:29+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/12/28/why-do-birds-flock-in-winter/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dsc_3548.jpgdsc_3548https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dsc_3423.jpgdsc_3423This area is MINE.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dsc_0117.jpgdsc_0117I didn't grow these sexy blue feathers so someone else could come hang out with my mate!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dsc_3184.jpgdsc_3184Notice how the finch on the left is keeping a lookout while the other extracts a seed.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dsc_3230.jpgdsc_3230Do I dare?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dsc_3276.jpgdsc_3276Extracting the seed…https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dsc_3289.jpgdsc_3289…and eating it while keeping watch.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dsc_3307.jpgdsc_3307https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dsc_3156.jpgdsc_3156Eating a seed, looking around.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dsc_2257.jpgdsc_2257And this. (Although kites don't eat birds very often.)2017-01-03T15:37:47+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/12/15/rare-birds-at-the-banding-station/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_7051.jpgimg_7051Gambel'shttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_7829.jpgimg_7829https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_7823.jpgimg_7823https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_7815.jpgimg_7815Blue-gray Gnatcatcherhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_7788.jpgimg_7788Orange-crowned Warbler: not rare, but cute.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_7787.jpgimg_7787https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_7771.jpgimg_7771Hermit Thrushhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_7768.jpgimg_7768https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_7766.jpgimg_7766https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_7761.jpgimg_77612016-12-24T18:37:06+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/11/28/birds-and-mirrors-revisited/2020-05-07T23:48:25+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/11/18/animal-accomplishments-that-have-caused-my-students-to-break-into-applause/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/10317755553_824992d629_z.jpg10317755553_824992d629_zBar-tailed Godwit foraging. Photo by Sergey Yeliseev*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/8228408709_1ebac1bd2c_z.jpg8228408709_1ebac1bd2c_zBar-tailed Godwit in flight. Photo by Wayne Butterworth*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/whelk_fig.jpgwhelk_figWhelk with scar, from figure 1 of Dietl & Hendricks 2006.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/e7_godwit_path.jpge7_godwit_pathMigration route of E7 (in yellow). Her southward migration was nonstop. From figure 5 in Battley et al. 2012.2016-11-18T21:52:41+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/11/10/here-is-a-calming-beautiful-video-of-birds/2016-11-11T20:56:08+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/questions/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013_questions.jpg2013_questionsRaise your hand/wing if you have a question.2021-06-25T02:21:23+00:00weekly0.6https://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/10/29/this-might-be-why-full-moons-are-spooky/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/subadult_male_lion_mlabarbera.jpgsubadult_male_lion_mlabarberaPhoto by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/moon_patrick_emerson.jpgmoon_patrick_emersonPhoto by Patrick Emerson*2016-10-30T01:02:45+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/10/16/the-very-confused-wren-and-the-birdwatcher-who-noticed/2021-04-18T18:38:16+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/09/20/why-is-a-bird-like-a-violin/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/whooping_crane_vocalizing_dsc0961.jpgAransas Bay Mesquite Bay Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Rockport, TXWhooping Crane vocalizing. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/van_grouw_manucode.jpgvan_grouw_manucodeTrumpet Manucode depicted with the skin removed, showing the long coiled trachea. Drawing copyright Katrina van Grouw from her (wonderful!) book "The Unfeathered Bird."2016-09-20T19:44:49+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/08/26/lets-not-forget-how-cool-dinosaurs-probably-looked/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dsc_9533-1.jpgDSC_9533 (1)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dsc_9389.jpgDSC_9389https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dsc_9342.jpgDSC_9342Still, you want to keep your feathers looking good.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dsc_9553.jpgDSC_9553https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dsc_9529.jpgDSC_9529https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dsc_9533.jpgDSC_9533https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dsc_9534.jpgDSC_9534https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dsc_9493.jpgDSC_9493https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dsc_9364.jpgDSC_93642016-08-28T18:53:27+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/07/28/birds-looking-odd-they-may-be-molting/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_9079-1.jpgDSC_9079-1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img_6358.jpgIMG_6358The back of the head of a Bewick's Wren, with all feathers new-grown and still in their sheaths. This bird was perfectly healthy, just a bit odd-looking at this stage of his molt.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img_6332.jpgIMG_6332This Chestnut-backed Chickadee is molting his head feathers, hence the odd colors.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img_6194.jpgIMG_6194Chestnut-backed Chickadee also growing in new coverts.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img_6016.jpgIMG_6016Anna's Hummingbird molting wing feathers. This bird could still fly just fine.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img_5676.jpgIMG_5676Juvenile Common Yellowthroat growing in some new coverts. Note the sheath on the growing feathers, with just the tips of the feathers peeking out.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_7851.jpgDSC_7851I don't need to fly. I can float.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_7724.jpgDSC_7724First-year (?) Surf Scoter missing all of her flight feathers.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_7595.jpgDSC_7595Adult male cowbirdhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_7544.jpgDSC_7544Juvenile cowbird just beginning to grow in some patches of dark adult male plumage.2016-07-30T22:57:14+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/07/19/niche-partitioning-by-the-bay/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_8214.jpgDSC_8214Willethttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_7921.jpgDSC_7921https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_7543.jpgDSC_7543Black-necked Stilthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_7523.jpgDSC_7523Greater Yellowlegshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_7497.jpgDSC_7497American Avocetshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_7471.jpgDSC_7471Black-necked Stilthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_6544.jpgDSC_6544https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_6538.jpgDSC_6538https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_6537.jpgDSC_6537Snowy Egrethttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_6522.jpgDSC_65222016-07-20T13:41:06+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/07/14/whats-wrong-with-this-junco-nest/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/image.jpgimage2016-07-17T16:39:23+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/07/05/animal-hospital-vet-baby-birds-will-not-starve-if-you-dont-feed-them-for-a-few-hours/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/img_5718.jpgIMG_5718Gas stations are not good hummingbird habitat, little one!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_6724.jpgDSC_6724Acorn Woodpecker feeding a chick.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_6905.jpgDSC_6905The baby bird says "FEED ME!!" but it doesn't know that you're not this momma Cliff Swallow.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dsc_5257.jpgDSC_5257Momma junco is maybe getting tired of feeding her giant baby (who is actually a cowbird).2021-07-01T21:47:52+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/07/10/the-fledgling-problem/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/junco_jeremy_spool.jpgjunco_Jeremy_SpoolYoung junco fledgling hiding. Photo by Jeremy Spool.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_robinme.jpg2013_robin+mehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_morebabies6.jpg2013_morebabies6https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_morebabies5.jpg2013_morebabies5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_morebabies4.jpg2013_morebabies4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_morebabies3.jpg2013_morebabies3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_morebabies2.jpg2013_morebabies2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_morebabies.jpg2013_morebabieshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_fledglings_rona.jpg2013_fledglings_RONAOlder junco fledgling RONAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_fledglings_robin2.jpg2013_fledglings_robin2Robin fledgling hiding in a tree.2021-06-30T16:18:52+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/05/20/a-heartwarming-story-sort-of/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/brown-headed_cowbird_f_cropped.jpgbrown-headed_cowbird_F_croppedWhat he will look like if he is actually a she. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/brown-headed_cowbird_m_cropped.jpgbrown-headed_cowbird_M_croppedWhat Zed will look like when he grows up, if he is indeed a "he." Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/cowbirdwoth_kelly_colgan_azar.jpgcowbird+WOTH_Kelly_Colgan_AzarCowbird nestling (left) with Wood Thrush foster mom and nestlings. Photo by Kelly Colgan Azarhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/cowbirdjunco_flavio_m_rose.jpgcowbird+junco_Flavio_M_RoseCowbird fledgling (older than Zed) begging from its junco foster parent. Photo by Flavio M. Rosehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/cowbirdcoye_dave_maher.jpgcowbird+COYE_Dave_MaherCowbird fledgling being fed by its Common Yellowthroat foster parent. Photo by Dave Maherhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/zed4.jpgZed4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/zed3.jpgZed3Note his just-growing in tail feathers, still partially in their white sheaths.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/zed2.jpgZed2Sleeping. He hadn't quite figured out the tuck-head-under-wing trick yet.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/zed1.jpgZed1I took this cowbird fledgling to a wildlife rehabilitator because when I found2017-06-05T18:43:21+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/05/30/helping-baby-wild-animals/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/limpet_shelters.jpgLimpet_sheltersLimpet, my cat, was a 3-year-old in the shelter when I adopted her. And she is awesome.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/swallows_gaping.jpgswallows_gapingBarn Swallow parent flying in to feed the chicks.2016-07-05T19:02:16+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/05/27/amendment-if-you-rescued-a-baby-bird-and-it-hasnt-died-yet/2020-06-06T17:20:04+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/05/26/please-stop-rescuing-baby-birds-and-then-asking-me-why-they-died/2021-05-25T00:26:43+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/06/29/look-at-all-of-this-egret-nonsense/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_5124.jpgDSC_5124https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_5123.jpgDSC_5123https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_5103.jpgDSC_5103https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_5101.jpgDSC_5101https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_5062.jpgDSC_5062https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_5014.jpgDSC_5014https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_4801.jpgDSC_4801https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_4800.jpgDSC_4800https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_4799.jpgDSC_4799https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_4789.jpgDSC_47892016-06-30T02:00:09+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/06/21/finding-the-tiny-dinosaurs-in-hummingbirds/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_3766.jpgDSC_3766https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_3753.jpgDSC_3753https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_0875.jpgDSC_0875https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/4865920007_6d20dd04a6_z.jpgFighting for a good spotPhoto by Jesus Cabello*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1357881642_f466d74b48_o.jpg1357881642_f466d74b48_oPhoto by Dan*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_0836.jpgDSC_0836https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_0832.jpgDSC_0832https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_1771.jpgDSC_1771Yep, that's his tongue sticking out.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_1495.jpgDSC_1495https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dsc_1528.jpgDSC_15282016-06-24T03:01:45+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/06/10/baby-season-at-the-bird-banding-station/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_5695.jpgIMG_5695Juvenile Bushtit. (Also, female: Bushtits with yellow eyes are female.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_5674.jpgIMG_5674This juvenile is in the process of molting those feathers.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_5665.jpgIMG_5665Adult Song Sparrowhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_5660.jpgIMG_5660Buffy wing bars in the juvenile.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_5652.jpgIMG_5652https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_5568.jpgIMG_5568Adults also tend to be angrier at us than juveniles, but we don't use that as an ageing criterion.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_5533.jpgIMG_5533https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_5523.jpgIMG_5523https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_5501.jpgIMG_5501https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_5499.jpgIMG_54992016-06-10T20:01:15+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/06/06/pigeon-art/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/felt_pigeons.jpgfelt_pigeons2016-06-19T16:28:46+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/05/21/last-junco-field-work/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_0157.jpgDSC_0157https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_0145.jpgDSC_0145https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_0136.jpgDSC_0136https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_0128.jpgDSC_0128https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_0126.jpgDSC_0126https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/img_4108.jpgIMG_4108Quite a face, no?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_0210.jpgDSC_0210https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_0201.jpgDSC_0201https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_0191.jpgDSC_0191https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_0169.jpgDSC_01692016-07-31T23:48:40+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/06/01/an-egret-nesting-colony-is-a-nursery-a-neighborhood-and-a-battleground-all-in-one/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/img_5577.jpgIMG_5577Egret eggshell.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_9607.jpgDSC_9607https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_9586.jpgDSC_9586Snowy Egret.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_2873.jpgDSC_2873Aww.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_2865.jpgDSC_2865Black-crowned Night Herons building the nest.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_2862.jpgDSC_2862She'll definitely let me incubate when she sees this stick!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_2853.jpgDSC_2853Great Egret displaying breeding plumes and green face.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_2826.jpgDSC_2826https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_2824.jpgDSC_2824https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc_2815.jpgDSC_2815Bare baby belly.2016-06-02T20:55:09+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/01/30/ghost-junco/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ghost9.jpgghost9https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ghost8.jpgghost8https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ghost7.jpgghost7https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ghost6.jpgghost6https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ghost5.jpgghost5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ghost4.jpgghost4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ghost3.jpgghost3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ghost2.jpgghost2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ghost1.jpgghost12016-05-30T16:21:42+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/05/16/it-took-me-6-years-to-earn-this-lollipop/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/img_5176-1.jpgIMG_5176 (1)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/img_5176.jpgIMG_5176https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/img_5177.jpgIMG_51772016-05-19T04:55:42+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/05/13/its-all-connected-birds-introduced-trout-and-talking-trees/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/banding_nest-ebbetts_pass-07-04_0589.jpgbanding_nest-Ebbetts_Pass-07-04_0589Wait, is this bug not real? Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/3582957861_cd2aecb9eb_z.jpg3582957861_cd2aecb9eb_zTrout are pretty, but maybe they should stay in the lakes in which they naturally occur. (Photo by stpaulgirl*)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/14510468305_f81abb6901_z.jpg14510468305_f81abb6901_zAn interesting world with too many fish introduced where they don't belong. Photo by Julio Mulero*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/img_4928.jpgIMG_4928Meanwhile, the bugs are coming up with strategies of their own: like this monarch caterpillar, whose pattern advertises "I taste bad."https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/dsc7120-1.jpg_DSC7120 (1)Which is why we want you to FEED US.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/3213837447_80503ab4f7_b.jpg3213837447_80503ab4f7_bPhoto by Blake Matheson*2016-05-13T19:29:35+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/09/16/conflict/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/conflict_yellow-rumps.jpgconflict_yellow-rumpsIt's definitely your turn to feed the chicks.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/conflict_stella.jpgconflict_StellaI don't want to be independent yet...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/conflict_chicks.jpgconflict_chicksDon't feed anyone else, just feed me! Feed me ALL the foods!2019-06-16T09:49:29+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/04/03/why-its-important-to-clean-up-fishing-line/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/anza_duck5.jpgAnza_duck5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/anza_duck4.jpgAnza_duck4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/anza_duck3.jpgAnza_duck3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/anza_duck2.jpgAnza_duck2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/anza_duck.jpgAnza_duck2016-04-14T02:37:16+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/03/29/birds-as-friendly-faces/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/dsc_0964.jpgDSC_0964https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/pygmy_kingfisher_jorge_montejo.jpgpygmy_kingfisher_Jorge_MontejoOkay, yes, I can show you this photo by Jorge Montejo from Flickr*. But it's not the same!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/dsc_0367.jpgDSC_0367Ferruginous Pygmy-owl, Doka Coffee Estate, Costa Ricahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/dsc_0051.jpgDSC_0051https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/dsc_0041.jpgDSC_0041https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/obsp_lynne_hertzog.jpgOBSP_Lynne_HertzogPhoto by Lynne Hertzog*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/dsc_0605.jpgDSC_0605The sparrow, obviously. (Rufous-collared Sparrow, San Jose, Costa Rica.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/laguna_woodchat_shrike.jpgLaguna_Woodchat_ShrikeThis not-great photo let me ID this Spanish bird as a Woodchat Shrike. I never got close to the bird, and it flew away quickly. Without the photo, I wouldn't have gotten an ID.2016-04-03T20:03:46+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/02/06/find-the-nest-5/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/zoom_fern2.jpgzoom_fern2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/zoom_fern1.jpgzoom_fern1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/zoom_fern4.jpgzoom_fern4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/zoom_fern3.jpgzoom_fern3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/zoom_fern5.jpgzoom_fern52016-02-05T23:23:46+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/01/29/poison-frogs-are-excellent-parents/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/atelopus_limosus_amplexus_brian_gratwicke.jpgAtelopus_limosus_amplexus_Brian_Gratwickehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/powdered_glassfrog_brian_gratwicke.jpgpowdered_glassfrog_Brian_GratwickePowdered glassfrog. Photo by Brian Gratwicke*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ranitomeya_benedicta_john_clare.jpgRanitomeya_benedicta_John_ClareAdult Ranitomeya benedicta: what are you going to do with your tadpoles? Photo by John Clare*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/silverstoneia_flotator_maletadpoles_brian_gratwicke.jpgSilverstoneia_flotator_male+tadpoles_Brian_GratwickeSilverstoneia flotator male with tadpoles. Photo by Brian Gratwicke*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ranitomeya_imitator_john_clare.jpgRanitomeya_imitator_John_ClareRanitomeya imitator carrying a tadpole. Photo by John Clare*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/oophaga_pumilio_john_clare3.jpgOophaga_pumilio_John_Clare3Another Oophaga pumilio. Photo by John Clare*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ranitomeya_variabilis_john_clare.jpgRanitomeya_variabilis_John_ClareRanitomeya variabilis carrying a tadpole. Photo by John Clare*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/oophaga_pumilio_john_clare2.jpgOophaga_pumilio_John_Clare2Another Oophaga pumilio. Photo by John Clare*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ranitomeya_benedicta_eggs_john_clare.jpgRanitomeya_benedicta_eggs_John_ClareRanitomeya benedicta eggs looking ready to hatch. Photo by John Clare*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ranitomeya_imitator_john_clare2.jpgRanitomeya_imitator_John_Clare22017-09-02T04:21:15+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/01/23/spinning-science/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dsc_0185.jpgDSC_0185https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dsc_0283.jpgDSC_0283https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dsc_0428.jpgDSC_0428https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dsc_0154.jpgDSC_0154https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dsc_0511.jpgDSC_05112016-01-25T02:44:07+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2016/01/13/birds-in-the-hand-again-finally/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/sfbbo_gambels_wcsp.jpgSFBBO_Gambel's_WCSPGambel's White-crowned Sparrowhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/sfbbo_rcki3.jpgSFBBO_RCKI3Another male Ruby-crowned Kinglet, with a more progressive hairstylehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/sfbbo_rcki4.jpgSFBBO_RCKI4Look how yellow his feet are!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/sfbbo_lisp.jpgSFBBO_LISPLincoln's Sparrow, obviously delighted to be involved.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/sfbbo_rcki1.jpgSFBBO_RCKI1Male Ruby-crowned Kinglet showing his "crown".https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/sfbbo_rcki2.jpgSFBBO_RCKI2Here's the rest of that kinglet's body, if the previous photo concerned you: he isn't a disembodied head, he's just being held in bander's grip. He's fine.2016-01-29T22:37:32+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/12/02/hidden-worlds-whale-falls/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/blue_whale_noaa.jpgblue_whale_NOAABlue whale. Photo by NOAA Photo Library*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/hagfish_ryan_somma.jpghagfish_Ryan_SommaHagfish eating a dead shark. Photo by Ryan Somma.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/humpback_2.jpghumpback_2Also, whale falls are pretty cool in their pre-fall form.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/serpula_vermicularis_1097r.jpgSerpula_vermicularis_1097rSerpula vermicularis: distantly related to the polychaetes that colonize whale falls as part of the sulphophilic community. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/notaulax_nodicollis__0091r.jpgNotaulax_nodicollis__0091rThat same polychaete outside of its tube: there's the rest of its wormy body! Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/notaulax_nodicollis__0052r.jpgNotaulax_nodicollis__0052rNotaulax nodicollis. Not very closely related to any of the chemosynthetic types of polychaetes, but it somewhat looks like them: it hides its body in a tube, and these feathery gills extend out. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/nereid_unk_6062r.jpgnereid_unk_6062rNereid polychaete, the same genus as some of the polychaetes observed in the sulphophilic communities. Check out his iridescent colors. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/nereis_sp_3654r.jpgNereis_sp_3654rNereis brandti. Polychaetes come bigger than 1 cm...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/nereis_succinea_9908r.jpgNereis_succinea_9908rNereis succinea (polychaete). Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/nereis_head_0225r.jpgNereis_head_0225rNereis limbata in glass tube. Photo by M. LaBarbera.2015-12-05T14:05:50+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/10/22/thanks-for-your-patience/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dsc_1007.jpgDSC_1007Southern Lapwing says "thank you" with a swagger.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dsc_0942.jpgDSC_0942Social Flycatcherhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dsc_0573.jpgDSC_0573https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dsc_0557.jpgDSC_0557Unidentified - anyone recognize him?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dsc_0348.jpgDSC_0348Demoiselle Cranehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dsc_0208.jpgDSC_0208Great Kiskadeehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/black-crowned-crane.jpgBlack Crowned CraneBlack Crowned Crane appreciates your understanding.2015-11-23T00:58:58+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/09/28/fun-birds-in-small-words/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/southern-screamer.jpgSouthern ScreamerSee? "Round and gray" was perfectly accurate.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_0664.jpgDSC_0664How dare you call this a "big nose"!2015-10-06T21:12:23+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/09/18/advice-from-whales-and-elephants-listen-to-grandma/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/elephants_tanzania_mlabarbera.jpgelephants_Tanzania_MLaBarberaA good reason to be defensive: tiny calves. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_0632.jpgDSC_0632Orca grouphttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_0236.jpgDSC_0236These baby salmon will grow up to be delicious—and hard to find.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_0164.jpgorca_familyOrca family group, with a calf.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_0609.jpgDSC_0609That's right: you listen to me.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_0002.jpgDSC_0002I don't know, this might be too many babies...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dsc_0001.jpgDSC_0001Tell me about it.2016-01-13T14:57:27+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/09/09/why-do-animals-lick-their-fur/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/grooming_sea_otter_jodie_wilson1.jpggrooming_sea_otter_Jodie_Wilson1Get that baby dry. Photo by Jodie Wilson*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/grooming_sea_otter_jodie_wilson2.jpggrooming_sea_otter_Jodie_Wilson2Okay, enough of that. Photo by Jodie Wilson*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/grooming_sea_otter_brx0.jpggrooming_sea_otter_brx0Gotta smoosh enough air into my face. Photo by brx0*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/grooming_marmosets_robin_bray-hurren.jpggrooming_marmosets_Robin_Bray-HurrenYour ear is clean, but I'm going to keep going. Photo by Robin Bray-Hurren*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/grooming_rat_amelia_white.jpggrooming_rat_Amelia_WhiteDon't be anxious, don't be anxious... Photo by Amelia White*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/grooming_marmosets_paul_morris.jpggrooming_marmosets_Paul_MorrisAlso friends. (Notice the baby on the top marmoset's back, too.) Photo by Paul Morris*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/grooming_impala_nick_jonsson.jpggrooming_impala_Nick_JonssonOooooohhhh yeah that's the spot. Photo by Nick Jonsson*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/grooming_impala_william_warby.jpggrooming_impala_William_WarbyUGGGHHH ticks. Photo by William Warby*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/grooming_impala_mike_labarbera.jpggrooming_impala_Mike_LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/grooming_horses_hullabaloon.jpggrooming_horses_HullabaloonFriends. Photo by Hullabaloon*2015-09-12T21:49:09+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/08/19/other-nests/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc_0041.jpgDSC_0041White-headed Woodpecker nest cavity entrance holehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc7120.jpg_DSC7120https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc6927.jpg_DSC6927Mountain Chickadee nest cavity holehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc6919.jpg_DSC6919The nest is visible in the bush, right in the center of the photo.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc6915.jpg_DSC6915https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc6911.jpg_DSC6911https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc6827.jpg_DSC6827https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc6775.jpg_DSC6775https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc6773.jpg_DSC6773https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/dsc6769.jpg_DSC67692015-08-19T18:55:25+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/07/29/a-predator-caught-in-the-act/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015_snake2.jpg2015_snake2Poor guy thought he was in for a four-course meal, and all he got was the appetizer.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015_snake1.jpg2015_snake1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015_snake_nest3.jpg2015_snake_nest3Stay safe, little ones.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015_snake_nest2.jpg2015_snake_nest2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015_snake_nest.jpg2015_snake_nest2015-08-05T18:43:13+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/07/21/going-out-with-a-thud-crack-ow/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/me_w_sling.jpgme_w_sling2015-07-23T14:49:44+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/07/14/find-the-nest-4/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/zoom_seals6.jpgzoom_SEALs6https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/zoom_seals5.jpgzoom_SEALs5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/zoom_seals4.jpgzoom_SEALs4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/zoom_seals3.jpgzoom_SEALs3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/zoom_seals2.jpgzoom_SEALs2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/zoom_seals1.jpgzoom_SEALs12015-07-15T14:03:14+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/07/08/how-do-birds-move-their-feathers/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/feathers_mockingbird2.jpgfeathers_mockingbird2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/feathers_mockingbird3.jpgfeathers_mockingbird3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/feathers_mockingbird1.jpgfeathers_mockingbird1Chalk-browed Mockingbirdhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/feathers_seriema4.jpgfeathers_seriema4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/feathers_seriema3.jpgfeathers_seriema3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/feathers_seriema2.jpgfeathers_seriema2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/feathers_seriema1.jpgfeathers_seriema1Red-legged Seriemahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/feathers_curassow2.jpgfeathers_curassow2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/feathers_curassow3.jpgfeathers_curassow3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/feathers_curassow1.jpgfeathers_curassow1Bare-faced Curassow2015-07-11T14:45:21+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/06/30/a-pigeon-walks-into-an-art-museum/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/pigeon_art4.jpgpigeon_art4Can you un-greyscale this sculpture, please?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/pigeon_art3.jpgpigeon_art3Yeah, that's really bad, kid. You should just give up painting for ever.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/pigeon_art2.jpgpigeon_art2This abstract work, in feces and found lamppost, really captures the satisfaction of finding a good place to perch.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/pigeon_art1.jpgpigeon_art1[Silence.]2015-07-03T21:30:21+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/06/22/conferences-everywhere/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/bald_eagle_juv.jpgbald_eagle_juvThat would be the best conference room ever.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/glaucous-winged_gull_tiptoe.jpgglaucous-winged_gull_tiptoeMaybe if I just tiptoe away really quietly, no one will notice I'm not in the conference room anymore.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/humpback_slapping.jpghumpback_slappingI've got one fluke out of the water.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/humpback_breaching4.jpghumpback_breaching4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/humpback_breaching3.jpghumpback_breaching3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/humpback_breaching2.jpghumpback_breaching2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/humpback_breaching1.jpghumpback_breaching1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/common_murres.jpgcommon_murresOr friendly Common Murres.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/sea_otters_three.jpgsea_otters_threeOr friendly sea otters.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/tufted_puffins.jpgtufted_puffinsWe are like friendly Tufted Puffins.2015-06-23T10:48:37+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/06/19/puffins-taking-baths/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/puffinbath_tufted20.jpgpuffinbath_tufted20Aaaahhh...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/puffinbath_tufted19.jpgpuffinbath_tufted19https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/puffinbath_tufted18.jpgpuffinbath_tufted18https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/puffinbath_tufted17.jpgpuffinbath_tufted17https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/puffinbath_tufted16.jpgpuffinbath_tufted16https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/puffinbath_tufted15.jpgpuffinbath_tufted15https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/puffinbath_tufted14.jpgpuffinbath_tufted14https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/puffinbath_tufted13.jpgpuffinbath_tufted13https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/puffinbath_tufted12.jpgpuffinbath_tufted12https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/puffinbath_tufted11.jpgpuffinbath_tufted112015-06-20T21:00:11+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/06/05/why-do-pigeons-court-all-the-time/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/pigeon_snow.jpgpigeon_snowSnow, schmoe - I could have babies now.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/tarifa_pigeon2.jpgTarifa_pigeon2You think it's easy to look this good? It takes work!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/tarifa_pigeon.jpgTarifa_pigeonWell... yeah. What's your point?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/olvera_pigeon.jpgOlvera_pigeonWe are the best bird parents.2015-06-06T13:16:12+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/03/17/what-we-know-about-one-nest/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_4chicks_maby2.jpg2013_4chicks_MABY2MABYhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_4chicks_nest.jpg2013_4chicks_nestARKM and MABY's nest, just under the rock.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_4chicks_maby.jpg2013_4chicks_MABYMABY is a tricksterhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_4chicks_ka.jpg2013_4chicks_KAK-A-https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_4chicks_ka2.jpg2013_4chicks_KA2K-A- considering evasive maneuvers.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_4chicks_ao.jpg2013_4chicks_AOA-O-https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_4chicks_arkm.jpg2013_4chicks_ARKMARKMhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_4chicks_al.jpg2013_4chicks_ALA-L- rocking some great baby eyebrows.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_4chicks_al2.jpg2013_4chicks_AL2Ready to escape.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_4chicks_ai.jpg2013_4chicks_AIA-I-2015-05-20T17:20:05+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/05/17/the-temperatures-of-field-work-made-visible/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/heat_snow7.jpgheat_snow7https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/heat_snow6.jpgheat_snow6https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/heat_snow5.jpgheat_snow5The visible-light version of the scene.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/heat_snow4.jpgheat_snow4Warm trees!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/heat_snow3.jpgheat_snow3Now you do!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/heat_snow2.jpgheat_snow2More snow. Also some rocks are cold.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/heat_snow.jpgheat_snowThe cold purple patches are snow; the warm yellow patches are bare ground.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/heat_sleeping_bag.jpgheat_sleeping_bagHot human face, above the cold surface of the sleeping bag keeping the rest of my body heat in.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/heat_river.jpgheat_riverHot river.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/heat_mushroom2.jpgheat_mushroom2Brrr.2015-06-08T00:27:36+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/05/11/first-trip-of-the-final-junco-field-season/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/first_last_eggs.jpgfirst_last_eggsTell us your secrets, eggs…https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/first_last_chick.jpgfirst_last_chickWe do not miss you. Look, why don't you not come here, and we'll send you a postcard maybe?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/first_last_amyy.jpgfirst_last_AMYYAMYY when we banded her in 2013.2016-12-11T14:42:25+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/04/29/biology-with-third-graders/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/hummingbird_2_13.jpghummingbird_2_13https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/sea_urchin.jpgsea_urchinSea urchins are cool! They wear stuff like seaweed and snail shells!2015-05-01T12:38:45+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/04/23/find-the-nest-3/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/zoom_cowprint5.jpgzoom_cowprint5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/zoom_cowprint4.jpgzoom_cowprint4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/zoom_cowprint3.jpgzoom_cowprint3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/zoom_cowprint2.jpgzoom_cowprint2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/zoom_cowprint1.jpgzoom_cowprint12015-04-29T16:29:46+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/04/18/who-let-me-have-a-smartphone/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_0272.jpgIMG_0272Malachite Sunbird at Cal Day.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_0268.jpgIMG_0268Live snake doing outreach at Cal Day (not too close to the tucos-tucos, though).https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_0249.jpgIMG_0249Live tuco-tucos doing outreach (and eating lettuce) at Cal Day.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_0245.jpgIMG_0245Mounted Barn Owl at Cal Day.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_0244.jpgIMG_0244Skull at Cal Day.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_0229.jpgIMG_0229Jar o' newts at Cal Day.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_0223.jpgIMG_0223Selection of motmot species at Cal Day.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_0219.jpgIMG_0219Echidna specimen at Cal Day.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_0215.jpgIMG_0215Display of birds at Cal Day, the one day a year (today!) that the museum opens its doors to the public.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_0211.jpgIMG_0211Another junco nest near my work. Just because I'm not out in the field, it doesn't mean I'm not stalking juncos...2015-04-21T12:42:30+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/04/14/double-rain/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_4277.jpgIMG_4277House Wren chickhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_4224.jpgIMG_4224A handful of newly-hatched House Wren chickshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/eggs.jpgeggsHouse Wren eggshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/nest_snakeskin1.jpgnest_snakeskinNest with feathers and snake skinhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/snapping_turtle.jpgsnapping_turtlehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/robins-day4-1.jpgrobins-day4-1Nest of an American Robin2015-04-15T17:03:03+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/04/08/is-that-a-friendly-woolly-stingy-face-i-see/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/lambs4.jpglambs4I have a face!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/outlet.jpgoutletDon't those drawings of outlets look like faces?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/p-fuscatus_sankax.jpgP.fuscatus_sankaxPhoto by sankax*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/p-fuscatus_scott_sherrill-mix.jpgP.fuscatus_Scott_Sherrill-MixNot a sheep: Polistes fuscatus, the Northern Paper Wasp. Photo by Scott Sherrill-Mix*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/p-fuscatus_michael_hrabar.jpgP.fuscatus_Michael_HrabarPhoto by Michael Hrabar*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/p-fuscatus_ilona_l.jpgP.fuscatus_Ilona_LPhoto by Ilona L*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/p-fuscatus_face_macroscopic_solutions.jpgP.fuscatus_face_Macroscopic_SolutionsPhoto by Macroscopic Solutions*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/nz_lamb_crazy.jpgNZ_lamb_crazyOf course, some sheep are easier to identify than others.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/possum.jpgPossumThat's "my" sheep, Possum, in the middle. I'd know her face anywhere. (Well, and the numbered ear tags helped too.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/nz_sheep2.jpgNZ_sheep2Especially if their faces are covered in wool. Photo by M. LaBarbera2015-04-09T12:52:42+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/09/17/the-amazing-fox-domestication-experiment-or-how-your-puppy-got-floppy-ears-and-a-waggly-tail/2017-03-29T19:54:20+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/03/17/find-the-nest-2-2/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/zoom_a-sr5.jpgzoom_A-SR5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/zoom_a-sr4.jpgzoom_A-SR4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/zoom_a-sr3.jpgzoom_A-SR3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/zoom_a-sr2.jpgzoom_A-SR2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/zoom_a-sr1.jpgzoom_A-SR12015-03-17T14:44:41+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/03/10/more-summer-mountain-flowers/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_flowers3_purplestar.jpg2014_flowers3_purplestarhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_flowers3_paintbrush.jpg2014_flowers3_paintbrushWavyleaf Indian paintbrushhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_flowers3_hillside.jpg2014_flowers3_hillsideSo many flowers.2015-03-10T22:16:20+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/03/05/find-the-nest-2/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/zoom_tangle5.jpgzoom_tangle5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/zoom_tangle4.jpgzoom_tangle4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/zoom_tangle3.jpgzoom_tangle3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/zoom_tangle2.jpgzoom_tangle2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/zoom_tangle1.jpgzoom_tangle12015-07-20T17:16:32+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/02/28/more-mushrooms-of-the-field-plus-a-mystery-thing/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_fungus_rings.jpg2014_fungus_ringshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_fungus_orange.jpg2014_fungus_orangehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_fungus_big.jpg2014_fungus_bigThe field notebook is for scale—these were big.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_fungi_yellow.jpg2014_fungi_yellowhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_fungi_red2.jpg2014_fungi_red2Where I initially found it.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_fungi_red.jpg2014_fungi_redWhoops, I broke the rotten log trying to get a better look. Here it is out in full view.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_fungi_orange2.jpg2014_fungi_orange2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_fungi_orange.jpg2014_fungi_orangehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_fungi_globe.jpg2014_fungi_globePuffball (?)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_fungi_drops2.jpg2014_fungi_drops2Yes, it's that sweaty mushroom again. I still want to know what's going on with this guy.2017-09-22T17:30:28+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/02/24/do-birds-have-a-sense-of-smell/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/smell_ra-k.jpgsmell_RA-KI smell so good.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/bill_wiping_australian_magpie_leo.jpgbill_wiping_Australian_Magpie_LeoAustralian Magpie bill-wiping. Photo by Leo*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/pine_marten_flickpicpete.jpgpine_marten_FlickpicpeteOh come on, I smell great. You should definitely come inside if you smell me, delicious little birdie. Pine Marten; photo by Flickpicpete*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/antarctic_prion_liam_quinn.jpgAntarctic_Prion_Liam_QuinnAntarctic Prion. Photo by Liam Quinn*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/smell_diving-petrel_burrows_tommy_hall_island_conservation.jpgsmell_diving-petrel_burrows_Tommy_Hall_Island_ConservationPetrel burrows in a breeding colony. Find yours! Photo by Tommy Hall/Island Conservation*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/smell_bonin_petrel_forest_and_kim_starr.jpgsmell_Bonin_Petrel_Forest_and_Kim_StarrBonin Petrel in burrow. Photo by Forest and Kim Starr*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/smell_grey-backed_storm_petrel_david_cook.jpgsmell_grey-backed_storm_petrel_David_CookBeat that! Grey-backed Storm Petrel. Photo by David Cook*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/smell_kiwi_smithsonians_national_zoo.jpgsmell_kiwi_Smithsonian's_National_ZooBrown Kiwi chick. Photo by Smithsonian's National Zoo*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/olvera_griffon_vulture.jpgOlvera_Griffon_VultureGriffon Vulture can smell you from here.2016-09-19T07:54:35+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/02/20/summer-mountain-flowers/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_flowers2_westerncolumbine.jpg2014_flowers2_westerncolumbineWestern Columbinehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_flowers2_violetpatch.jpg2014_flowers2_violetpatchhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_flowers2_snowplant2.jpg2014_flowers2_snowplant2Snow Planthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_flowers2_snowplant.jpg2014_flowers2_snowplantSnow Planthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_flowers2_purplestack2.jpg2014_flowers2_purplestack2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_flowers2_purplestack.jpg2014_flowers2_purplestackhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_flowers2_pinkrock.jpg2014_flowers2_pinkrockMountain Pridehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_flowers2_dandelion.jpg2014_flowers2_dandelionDandelion (with tiny beetle)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_flowers_yellowdangle.jpg2014_flowers_yellowdanglehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2014_flowers_yellow3.jpg2014_flowers_yellow32015-02-24T06:58:17+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/02/17/the-beauty-and-the-beast-or-a-tale-of-two-moles/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/starnosed_mole_gordonramsaysubmissions.jpgstarnosed_mole_gordonramsaysubmissionsStar-nosed mole. Photo by gordonramsaysubmissions*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/starnosed_mole_brandon_motz.jpgstarnosed_mole_Brandon_MotzPhoto by Brandon Motz*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/starnosed_mole_brandon_motz_2.jpgstarnosed_mole_Brandon_Motz_2Photo by Brandon Motz*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/starnosed_mole_babies_hillbraith.jpgstarnosed_mole_babies_HillbraithPhoto by Hillbraith*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/tiger_beetle_lori_smith.jpgtiger_beetle_Lori_SmithJust like a golden mole. Photo by Lori Smith*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/julianas-golden-mole_arkive.jpgJulianas-golden-mole_ArkiveJuliana's golden mole. Photo from ARKive.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/golden_mole_arno_meintjes.jpggolden_mole_Arno_MeintjesGolden mole (who appears to be wet?). Photo by Arno Meintjes*2020-09-10T17:31:19+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/01/31/bugs-of-the-field-2014-dragonflies-spiders/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_tiny_spider.jpg2014bugs_tiny_spiderTiny ornate spider.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_spider2.jpg2014bugs_spider2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_spider.jpg2014bugs_spiderThis spider has great patterns, and seems to have lost two legs.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_spider_notebook.jpg2014bugs_spider_notebookSpider on my field notebook.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_giantspider2.jpg2014bugs_giantspider2How can you resist that sweet face?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_giantspider.jpg2014bugs_giantspiderThis large spider was found by one of my field assistants underneath her tent. She was not as thrilled as I was.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_dragonflyb2.jpg2014bugs_dragonflyb2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_dragonflyb.jpg2014bugs_dragonflybFour-spotted skimmerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_dragonfly3.jpg2014bugs_dragonfly3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_dragonfly2.jpg2014bugs_dragonfly22015-01-31T21:59:38+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/01/26/seeing-song-an-interview-with-a-partially-deaf-ornithologist-who-studies-bird-song/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/bitonal_oak_titmouse_katie.pngbitonal_oak_titmouse_katieOak Titmouse song with a bitonal first note. Spectrogram courtesy of Alma Schrage.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/the_interviewee_katie.pngthe_interviewee_katieAlma in the field. Photo courtesy of Alma Schrage.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/spectrogram_ml144024_katie.pngspectrogram_ML144024_katieSpectrogram of the song of a Warbling Vireo (Macaulay Library 144024).https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/spectrogram_ml107964_katie.pngspectrogram_ML107964_katieSpectrogram of the call of a Common Loon (Macaulay Library 107964).2018-03-12T03:03:23+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/01/19/nudibranchs-defend-themselves-with-their-food/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/tritonia_wellsi3.jpgTritonia_wellsi3Tritonia wellsi on a gorgonian. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/tritonia_wellsi2.jpgTritonia_wellsi2Two Tritonia wellsi on a gorgonian. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/tritonia_wellsi1.jpgTritonia_wellsi1Tritonia wellsi on a gorgonian. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/learchis_poica2.jpgLearchis_poica2Learchis poica has such a sweet face. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/learchis_poica1.jpgLearchis_poica1Learchis poica. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hydroids.jpgHydroids. The stinging cells are on the ends of the long tentacles, waiting to catch prey. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hermissenda_edentata3.jpgfr. Gulf SpecimenPanacea, FLhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hermissenda_edentata2.jpgfr. Gulf SpecimenPanacea, FLDo not eat me. Hypselodoris eaenticulata. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hermissenda_edentata1.jpgHypselodoris eaenticulata on a sponge. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/hermissenda_crassicornis3.jpgHermissenda_crassicornis32016-12-11T19:35:36+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2015/01/10/featured-paper-five-warblers-lots-of-tornadoes-and-a-mystery/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/gwwa_mark_peck.jpgGWWA_Mark_PeckMale Golden-winged Warbler. Photo by Mark Peck*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/gwwa_kent_mcfarland.jpgGWWA_Kent_McFarlandPhoto by Kent McFarland*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/gwwa_caleb_putnam.jpgGWWA_Caleb_PutnamNot bad at all. Photo by Caleb Putnam*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/gwwa_amy_mcandrews.jpgGWWA_Amy_McAndrewsWe knew by MAGIC! Photo by Amy McAndrews*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/tornado_florencia_guedes.jpgtornado_Florencia_GuedesThis, plus 83 more. Photo by Florencia Guedes*2015-01-16T23:38:21+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/12/27/soft-fuzzy-round-warm/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/mice_advice4.jpgmice_advice4Pile of baby micehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/robin.jpgrobinAmerican Robinhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/hosp.jpgHOSPHouse Sparrowshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/hofi3.jpgHOFI3House Finchhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/hofi.jpgHOFIHouse Finchhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/hermit_thrush.jpghermit_thrushHermit Thrushhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/cardinal.jpgcardinalNorthern Cardinalhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/soft_limpet4.jpgsoft_Limpet4Limpet the cathttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/soft_limpet3.jpgsoft_Limpet3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/soft_limpet2.jpgsoft_Limpet22015-02-17T09:48:27+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/12/16/hurray-for-california-rain/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/drought_chicks.jpgdrought_chicksThe junco chicks do not think it would be all that interesting, honestly.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/drought1.jpgdrought1The Central Valley is thirsty.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/drought_flower.jpgdrought_flowerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/tamias_alpinus_th_small.jpgTamias_alpinus_TH_smallAlpine chipmunk, none too pleased to be experiencing field biology. Photo by TH.2014-12-17T00:58:29+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/12/08/bats-are-cool-and-generous-and-selfish-and-fuzzy/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/vampire_bats_robertsphotos1.jpgvampire_bats_Robertsphotos1Aww friends. Photo by Robertsphotos1*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/vampire_bat_mark_dumont.jpgvampire_bat_Mark_DumontThey make look scary, but they're really nice. Photo by Mark Dumont*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/rodrigues_fruit_bats_dean_thorpe.jpgRodrigues_fruit_bats_Dean_ThorpeRodrigues fruit bats. Photo by Dean Thorpe*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/rodrigues_fruit_bats_joachim_s_muller.jpgRodrigues_fruit_bats_Joachim_S_MullerRodrigues fruit bat. Photo by Joachim S. Müller*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/mexican_free-tailed_bats_usfwshq.jpgMexican_free-tailed_bats_USFWSHQMexican free-tailed bats. Photo by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/grey-headed_flying_fox_paislie_hadley.jpgGrey-headed_flying_fox_Paislie_HadleyWhere those babies should be: clinging to mom as she flies around. (Grey-headed flying fox mother and baby; photo by Paislie Hadley.*)2015-11-07T01:28:48+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/11/25/does-food-taste-the-same-to-animals-as-it-does-to-us/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/taste_limpet.jpgtaste_LimpetAs in all things, I am right and you are wrong about this.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/taste_fruitfly_bent_tranberg.jpgtaste_fruitfly_Bent_TranbergPhoto by Bent Tranberg*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/taste_hummingbirds_tom_barnwell.jpgtaste_hummingbirds_Tom_BarnwellIs that one sweet? Photo by Tom Barnwell*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/taste_hyena.jpgtaste_hyenaI have a non-sweet tooth.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/taste_dolphin_tammy_lo.jpgtaste_dolphin_Tammy_LoPhoto by Tammy Lo*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/taste_panda_fortherock.jpgtaste_panda_fortherockYummy. Photo by fortherock*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mice_advice3.jpgmice_advice3And mice are micey.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/mice_advice2.jpgmice_advice2Candy Corn says, "My taste receptors are very similar to yours. Would YOU like to eat alfalfa blocks? No? Then what possesses you to think that I do?"2014-11-28T22:27:17+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/11/20/lets-talk-about-bird-tongues/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tongue_flamingotongue_scubaben.jpgtongue_flamingotongue_ScubabenFlamingo tongue - no, wait, that's not right... This is the Flamingo Tongue Snail. Photo by Scubaben*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tongue_flamingo_dave_wilson.jpgtongue_flamingo_Dave_WilsonThere we go. Photo by Dave Wilson*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tongue_willet_t_j_gehling.jpgtongue_willet_T_J_GehlingWillet. Photo by T J Gehling*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tongue_puffin_james_west.jpgtongue_puffin_James_WestPhoto by James West*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tongue_purplehoneycreeper_nathan_rupert.jpgtongue_purplehoneycreeper_Nathan_RupertPurple Honeycreeper, another nectar-eating bird. Photo by Nathan Rupert*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tongue_mallard_darren_harvey.jpgtongue_mallard_Darren_HarveyMallard. Photo by Darren Harvey*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tongue_lorikeet_alan_kaptain_kobold.jpgRainbow Lorikeet. Photo by Alan (Kaptain Kobold)*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tongue_kingpenguinlion_ryan_somma.jpgtongue_kingpenguin+lion_Ryan_SommaPreserved tongue of a King Penguin, left. (Right is the tongue of a lion.) Photo by Ryan Somma*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tongue_kite_tambako_the_jaguar.jpgtongue_kite_Tambako_The_JaguarPhoto by Tamboko The Jaguar*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tongue_hummingbird_t_j_gehling.jpgtongue_hummingbird_T_J_GehlingPhoto by T J Gehling*2019-12-22T01:25:13+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/09/27/non-birds-of-the-field-i-invertebrates/2014-11-03T20:11:53+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/12/09/the-slow-slimy-style-of-snails/2014-11-03T20:11:27+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/05/08/featured-paper-cuttlefish-are-lying-cheaters/2014-11-03T20:10:49+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/02/28/seeing-through-scales-and-walking-with-six-legs/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/stick_insect_taipeivoid.jpgstick_insect_taipeivoidWhere do I put this middle foot?? (Photo by taipeivoid)*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/stick_insect_sek_keung_lo.jpgstick_insect_Sek_Keung_LoIt's a very important problem, for sure. (Photo by Sek Keung Lo)*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/stick_insect_malcolm_tattersall.jpgstick_insect_Malcolm_TattersallPhoto by Malcolm Tattersall*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/stick_insect_john_wattie.jpgstick_insect_John_WattieHow many stick insects can you find in this picture? (Photo by John Wattie)*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/snake_eyes_roughgreensnake.jpgsnake_eyes_roughgreensnakeRough green snakehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/snake_eyes_northernwatersnake.jpgsnake_eyes_northernwatersnakeNorthern water snakehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/snake_eyes_cornsnake.jpgsnake_eyes_cornsnakeCorn snakehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/snake_eyes_blackratsnake.jpgsnake_eyes_blackratsnakeLeucistic (lacking pigment) black rat snake is looking at YOU.2014-11-03T20:09:49+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/03/11/photos-from-a-marine-invertebrate-biologist-who-shares-half-of-my-genes/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/sierra_dome_spider_m_0282a.jpgSierra_dome_spider_M_0282aMale Sierra dome spider on its domed web. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/dadmecrab_1991.jpgDad+me+crab_1991Dad introducing three-year-old me to a horseshoe crab.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/four-spotted_skimmer_0699.jpgfour-spotted_skimmer_0699Four-spotted skimmer. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/chickaree_0753.jpgchickaree_0753Chickaree. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/american_robin_fledgling_0255.jpgAmerican_robin_fledgling_0255American Robin fledgling. Photo by M. LaBarbera.2014-11-03T20:09:32+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/11/03/bugs-of-the-field-2014-butterflies-moths/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_whitemoth.jpg2014bugs_whitemothhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_ragged_butterfly2.jpg2014bugs_ragged_butterfly2This was from the end of the season, as you can see from the sorry state of the corn lily leaves.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_ragged_butterfly.jpg2014bugs_ragged_butterflyAnother excellent face.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_orangebutterfly2.jpg2014bugs_orangebutterfly2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_orangebutterfly1.jpg2014bugs_orangebutterfly1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_moth2.jpg2014bugs_moth2Look at that face!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_moth1.jpg2014bugs_moth1Of all the moths I have encountered, this one, found clinging to the stem of a corn lily, is my favorite. Look at that lovely pattern! Look how fuzzy he is!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_moth_pinecone.jpg2014bugs_moth_pineconehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_fuzzymoth1.jpg2014bugs_fuzzymoth1Very fuzzy.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_butterflybee2.jpg2014bugs_butterfly+bee22014-11-04T22:54:53+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/10/29/vampire-birds/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/sbgf_budgora.jpgSBGF_budgoraDum-dum-DUMMMM. (Sharp-beaked Ground Finch. Photo by budgora*)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/sbgf_andre_meyer.jpgSBGF_Andre_MeyerThey also eat nectar and pollen. They're flower vampires too! Photo by Andre Meyer*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/oxpeckers_steve_garvie.jpgoxpeckers_Steve_GarvieYou WHAT? Get off of me! (Photo by Steve Garvie*)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/oxpeckers_ecologyweb.jpgoxpeckers_ecologywebGet out of my ear. Photo by ecologyweb*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/oxpeckers_arno_meintjes.jpgoxpeckers_Arno_MeintjesPhoto by Arno Meintjes*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/oxpecker_ian_white.jpgoxpecker_Ian_WhiteThe vampire strikes again! Photo by Ian White*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/oxpecker_derek_keats.jpgoxpecker_Derek_KeatsMmmm, earwax. Photo by Derek Keats*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/oxpecker_arno_meintjes.jpgoxpecker_Arno_MeintjesJust doing my civic duty. (Red-billed Oxpecker. Photo by Arno Meintjes*)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/great_tit_yvan.jpggreat_tit_YvanAlso, fluffier. Photo by Yvan*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/great_tit_raymorris1.jpggreat_tit_RayMorris1Mmmm, brains. Photo by RayMorris1*2014-11-04T01:31:39+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/10/23/bugs-of-the-field-2014-a-bee-mimic-colorful-beetles-and-more/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_tinygold2.jpg2014bugs_tinygold2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_tinygold.jpg2014bugs_tinygoldTiny golden beetlehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_spotless2.jpg2014bugs_spotless2Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_spotless1.jpg2014bugs_spotless1Ladybug with no spotshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_red_beetle.jpg2014bugs_red_beetlehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_mystery_larva.jpg2014bugs_mystery_larvaI assume this is the larva of something, but I have no idea what. It was very graceful in the water.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_ladybug.jpg2014bugs_ladybugLadybughttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_greybug2.jpg2014bugs_greybug2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_greybug.jpg2014bugs_greybughttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014bugs_giantbug3.jpg2014bugs_giantbug32018-07-31T16:01:04+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/12/12/climate-change-in-the-sierra-nevada-mountains/2014-10-22T17:48:03+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/12/26/how-do-birds-keep-warm/2016-06-18T02:35:00+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/01/02/a-few-more-ways-birds-keep-warm/2014-10-22T17:47:37+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/06/13/kkra-thunderbird/2014-10-22T17:46:51+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/08/30/what-happens-to-the-animals-when-there-is-a-fire/2016-06-30T02:29:01+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/02/17/could-ducks-in-the-water-melt-ice/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/icemelt_barrows.jpgicemelt_BarrowsFemale Barrow's Goldeneye shirking her de-icing duties.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/icemelt_ruddy_diving.jpgicemelt_ruddy_divingFemale Ruddy Duckhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/icemelt_pintail.jpgicemelt_pintailFemale Northern Pintailhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/icemelt_wood_duck.jpgicemelt_wood_duckFemale Wood Duck in Chicago in the winter.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/icemelt_snowy_owl.jpgicemelt_snowy_owlThis Snowy Owl's insulating feathers let him sit on this pile of snow without worrying about melting a puddle in it.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/icemelt_seagulls.jpgicemelt_seagullsMaybe these gulls have created the ice island they are standing on by melting all the surrounding ice with their feethttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/icemelt_ruddy_splashing.jpgicemelt_ruddy_splashingFemale Ruddy Duck goes SPLASH!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/icemelt_mallards2.jpgicemelt_mallards2Mallards on ice. (Sounds like an ice-skating show with duck costumes, doesn't it?)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/icemelt_mallards.jpgicemelt_mallardsFemale Mallards are relieved that their feet are not responsible for melting this ice.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/icemelt_hybrid_mallard.jpgicemelt_hybrid_mallardUnknown duck on ice. (Sounds like a mixed drink at an avian-themed bar, maybe?)2014-10-22T17:45:30+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/04/28/i-might-have-started-the-field-season-a-little-too-early/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tooearly_tent.jpgtooearly_tentMy tent, our first morning in the field.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tooearly_snow3.jpgtooearly_snow3Our stoves boiling water for breakfast.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tooearly_snow2.jpgtooearly_snow2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tooearly_snow.jpgtooearly_snowhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tooearly_se-a.jpgtooearly_SE-AFirst banded bird of Field Season 2014: male SE-Ahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tooearly_rabo.jpgtooearly_RABORABO, a male we banded last last (in the top shadow), with an unbanded junco who may be his mate (bottom shadow)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tooearly_mmoa.jpgtooearly_MMOAMMOA, this yearhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tooearly_kass13.jpgtooearly_KASS13KASS in 2013https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tooearly_kass.jpgtooearly_KASSKASS in 2014https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tooearly_karl.jpgtooearly_KARLKARL, when we banded him last year.2014-10-22T17:45:05+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/06/10/the-sky-is-falling-birds-and-hail/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/hail_duck.jpghail_duckSo tough.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/hail_noisy_miner_leo.jpghail_noisy_miner_LeoThis Noisy Miner kind of looks like a hail stone. Photo by Leo*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/hail_nd_snoshuu.jpghail_ND_SnoShuuHail stones larger than gold balls (from North Dakota, not Alberta, but you get the idea). Photo by SnoShuu*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/hail3.jpghail3Junco nestling, the day after the hailstorm: doing fine.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/hail2.jpghail2We hid in our tents.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/hail1.jpghail12014-10-22T17:44:31+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/10/18/what-do-birds-do-when-it-rains/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rain_fldg.jpgrain_fldgJunco fledgling in the rain, waiting to be fed. Notice the wet tail and primary feathers.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rain_tit_katy_wrathall.jpgrain_tit_Katy_WrathallEw, what? Is it falling right now? Photo by Katy Wrathall*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rain_swallow_mike_prince.jpgrain_swallow_Mike_PrincePhoto by Mike Prince*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rain_robin_brain_fuller.jpgrain_robin_Brain_FullerIt may not have worked for this robin. Photo by Brian Fuller*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rain_robin_ovo.jpgrain_robin_(OvO)I'm right here! Photo by (OvO)*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rain_raven_ovo.jpgrain_raven_(OvO)This piece of corn is worth the sogginess. Photo by (OvO)*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rain_pigeon_paul_b.jpgrain_pigeon_Paul_BI would like some shelter please. Photo by Paul B*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rain_kingfisher_jonathan_siberry.jpgrain_kingfisher_Jonathan_SiberryPhoto by Jonathan Siberry*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rain_hummingbird_a_d_wheeler.jpgrain_hummingbird_A_D_WheelerPhoto by A. D. Wheeler*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rain_hawk_ghost_v.jpgrain_hawk_Ghost_VThis rain makes me sad, but I am still sitting in it. Photo by Ghost V2020-08-19T03:22:10+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/10/15/featured-paper-cheating-common-yellowthroats-or-the-world-is-more-complex-than-you-think/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/coye_teddy_llovet.jpgCOYE_Teddy_Llovethttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/coye_kelly_colgan_azar3.jpgCOYE_Kelly_Colgan_Azar3Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/coye_kelly_colgan_azar2.jpgCOYE_Kelly_Colgan_Azar2What could it be? Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/coye_kelly_colgan_azar.jpgCOYE_Kelly_Colgan_AzarGo ahead, impress me. (Female Common Yellowthroat. Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar*)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/coye_john_benson.jpgCOYE_John_BensonThe moral is that females are more important than anything else. Photo by John Benson*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/coye_john_flannery.jpgCOYE_John_FlanneryBummer. Photo by John Flannery*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/coye_henry_t_mclin.jpgCOYE_Henry_T_McLinI fluff my feathers in indignation. I have EXCELLENT sperm. Photo by Henry T. McLin*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/coye_andy_morffew.jpgCOYE_Andy_MorffewPlumage and song for me; I'll skip odor, thanks. Photo by Andy Morffew*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/coye_dan_pancamo.jpgCommon YellowthroatCommon Yellowthroat (male). Photo by Dan Pancamo*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/taff_cow.jpgTaff_cowStarlings flying near a cow; Pt Reyes, CA.2020-08-03T19:40:12+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/10/09/fun-with-owl-pellets-part-1/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/owlpellets_vertebrae.jpgowlpellets_vertebraehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/owlpellets_various.jpgowlpellets_variousLots of bones!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/owlpellets_tooth.jpgowlpellets_toothRodent cranium, with one tooth removed to show how big it is.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/owlpellets_skulls.jpgowlpellets_skullshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/owlpellets_skull.jpgowlpellets_skullhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/owlpellets_pellets2.jpgowlpellets_pellets2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/owlpellets_pellets.jpgowlpellets_pelletshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/owlpellets_pellet3.jpgowlpellets_pellet3This one is kind of a half-pellet. You can see rodent teeth in it.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/owlpellets_pellet3_done.jpgowlpellets_pellet3_doneRibs,https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/owlpellets_pellet2.jpgowlpellets_pellet22014-10-11T06:52:53+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/09/25/our-regular-programming-will-resume-shortly/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/regpro1.jpgregpro1You're not quite there yet, little one...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/regpro_lank.jpgregpro_LANKLANK showing off his sexy tail2014-09-26T01:55:14+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/09/15/chicks-with-attitude/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_attitude12.jpg2014_attitude12https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_attitude10.jpg2014_attitude10https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_attitude11.jpg2014_attitude11https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_attitude8.jpg2014_attitude8What are you looking at?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_attitude9.jpg2014_attitude9https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_attitude7.jpg2014_attitude7https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_attitude6.jpg2014_attitude6https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_attitude4.jpg2014_attitude4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_attitude5.jpg2014_attitude5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_attitude2.jpg2014_attitude22017-08-27T03:37:26+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/09/07/velella-velella-or-falling-off-the-edge-of-the-world/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/velella8.jpgvelella8https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/velella7.jpgvelella7https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/velella6.jpgvelella6https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/velella5.jpgvelella5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/velella4.jpgvelella4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/velella3.jpgvelella3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/velella2.jpgvelella2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/velella1.jpgvelella1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/velella_gull.jpgvelella_gullhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/velella_edge.jpgvelella_edge2014-09-08T19:37:51+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/09/03/avian-flight-iii-hummingbird-flight/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rufous_hummingbird_f_4221_small.jpgrufous_hummingbird_F_4221_smallRufous Hummingbirds are small. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rufous_hummingbird_f_4804r.jpgrufous_hummingbird_F_4804RRufous Hummingbird. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/hovering_hummingbird_bill_gracey.jpghovering_hummingbird_Bill_GraceyUpside-down wings! Photo by Bill Gracey*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/long-tailed_sylph_francesco_veronesi.jpglong-tailed_sylph_Francesco_VeronesiAll this aerial mastery stuff is too easy, so I figured I'd add a huge tail. Long-tailed Sylph; photo by Francesco Veronesi*2017-05-21T22:54:21+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/08/29/the-chickarees-want-my-car/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_chickaree9.jpg2014_chickaree9Maybe the snacks are in the plastic bag.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_chickaree10.jpg2014_chickaree10Just trash in here! How rude.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_chickaree8.jpg2014_chickaree8This food container is not very convenient to open.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_chickaree6.jpg2014_chickaree6https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_chickaree7.jpg2014_chickaree7Okay, bounciness check passed. Now what about some snacks for the road?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_chickaree4.jpg2014_chickaree4...but it's always best to check.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_chickaree5.jpg2014_chickaree5Bounciness check.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_chickaree2.jpg2014_chickaree2The window could be cleaner, though.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_chickaree3.jpg2014_chickaree3Seats look comfy...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_chickaree1.jpg2014_chickaree1Is the window clean? Not really...2014-08-29T18:16:04+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/08/16/the-mystery-of-the-robot-bear/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/robotbear.jpgrobotbearThe robot bear2014-08-16T20:06:50+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/08/12/the-many-and-changeable-colors-of-the-pacific-tree-frog/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_frogs28.jpg2014_frogs28https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_frogs27.jpg2014_frogs27https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_frogs26.jpg2014_frogs26Am I brown yet?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_frogs25.jpg2014_frogs25You can't see me!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_frogs24.jpg2014_frogs24https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_frogs21.jpg2014_frogs21https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_frogs20.jpg2014_frogs20Two-toned gold and grey froghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_frogs18.jpg2014_frogs18Not at allhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_frogs17.jpg2014_frogs17Grey frog with spotshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014_frogs16.jpg2014_frogs162014-08-13T10:50:00+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/07/29/the-animals-guide-to-networking/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/springbok_stotting_yathin.jpgspringbok_stotting_YathinSpringbok stotting. Photo by Yathin*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/networks_wild_dog.jpgnetworks_wild_doghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/networks_singing.jpgnetworks_singinghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/networks_geese.jpgnetworks_geesehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/networks_fish.jpgnetworks_fishhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/networks_chickadee.jpgnetworks_chickadee2014-07-30T22:53:08+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/07/22/scarce-bycatch/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014_bycatch_moch5.jpg2014_bycatch_MOCH5Mountain Chickadee says, "Yeah, plus I'm tiny so I can fit into places you can't. Hah."https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014_bycatch_moch4.jpg2014_bycatch_MOCH4Still gripping my finger.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014_bycatch_moch3.jpg2014_bycatch_MOCH3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014_bycatch_moch2.jpg2014_bycatch_MOCH2Gripping my finger. (Don't worry, this may look strange to be holding him around the neck but it's perfectly safe to hold birds in this way. This is called Bander's Grip. Just don't try to hold mammals this way!)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014_bycatch_moch.jpg2014_bycatch_MOCHFlared tail.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014_bycatch_gtto4.jpg2014_bycatch_GTTO4I love these guys: the red eye, the stripes on the throat, the thick grey bill.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014_bycatch_gtto3.jpg2014_bycatch_GTTO3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014_bycatch_gtto2.jpg2014_bycatch_GTTO2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014_bycatch_gtto.jpg2014_bycatch_GTTOAll green on the back.2014-07-23T00:44:12+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/07/17/juncos-underground/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/underground_yabis_nest2.jpgunderground_YABIs_nest2See, there it is!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/underground_yabis_nest.jpgunderground_YABIs_nestYABI's nest. What do you mean, you can't see it - it's right there!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/underground_rosas_nest2.jpgunderground_ROSAs_nest2ROSA's nesthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/underground_rosas_nest.jpgunderground_ROSAs_nestAll the holes are cow hoofprints.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/underground_rbas_nest.jpgunderground_RBAs_nestR-BA's nest: technically under something, but not very hidden.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/underground_loas_nest.jpgunderground_LOAs_nestThis nest would be quite hard to find if the parents didn't show you that it was between two rocks.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/underground_balis_nest3.jpgunderground_BALIs_nest3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/underground_balis_nest2.jpgunderground_BALIs_nest2BALI's nest.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/underground_balis_nest.jpgunderground_BALIs_nestWhere is it?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/underground_balis_chick.jpgunderground_BALIs_chick2014-07-21T17:01:28+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/07/14/keep-doors-closed/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/sneaky_junco_sign_q.jpgsneaky_junco_sign_QPhoto by Q2014-07-15T06:51:23+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/07/02/more-animal-higgledy-piggledy/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/gazelles_roger_smith.jpggazelles_roger_smithThompson's gazelle and fawn. Photo by roger smith*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/hummingbird_chicks_cathy_cole.jpghummingbird_chicks_Cathy_ColeHummingbird chicks. Photo by Cathy Cole*2014-07-11T23:15:39+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/06/29/stop-walking-on-the-ground/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ground_fledgling.jpgground_fledglingHear it?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ground_nest.jpgground_nestJunco nest on the ground.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ground_mechick.jpgground_me+chickThis nestling would really have preferred if I had just stayed on Radio Human and out of his life altogether. Sorry, little guy.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ground_l-oa.jpgground_L-OAReally.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ground_amyys_chick.jpgground_AMYYs_chickOne of AMYY's and RRYA's fledglings, doing fine.2020-07-11T15:49:15+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/06/23/a-nest-of-red-tailed-hawks-grows-up/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/jun_18_nest.jpgJun_18_nestEmpty nesthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/jun_18_last_nestling.jpgJun_18_last_nestlingThe last nestling left in the nest, mid-June.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/jun_5_3.jpgJun_5_3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/jun_5_2.jpgJun_5_2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/jun_5_1.jpgJun_5_1Early June: almost ready to fledgehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/may_21.jpgMay_21https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/may_19.jpgMay_19Looking even more brownhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/may_19_2.jpgMay_19_2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/may_16_10.jpgMay_16_10https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/may_16_9.jpgMay_16_9What are these things for, Mom?2014-06-24T14:03:26+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/06/04/some-field-photos-or-this-seems-familiar/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014_pics_tree.jpg2014_pics_treeFallen dead tree that ripped up whole boulders when its roots pulled up.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014_pics_seedling2.jpg2014_pics_seedling2Tree seedling without the seed.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014_pics_seedling.jpg2014_pics_seedlingTree seedling with the seed still on.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014_pics_river.jpg2014_pics_riverhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014_pics_nest.jpg2014_pics_nestThere's a junco nest behind this curtain of grass. Just take my word for it.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014_pics_mountains.jpg2014_pics_mountainshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014_pics_moth.jpg2014_pics_mothMoth trying to pass for a puppyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014_pics_ladybug.jpg2014_pics_ladybugLadybug, kind of?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014_pics_feather2.jpg2014_pics_feather2Northern Flicker feather - tophttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014_pics_feather.jpg2014_pics_featherNothern Flicker feather - underside2014-06-05T17:58:15+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/05/24/this-is-what-evening-in-the-field-sounds-like/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sawwhet_owl_ken_janes.jpgsawwhet_owl_Ken_JanesNorthern Saw-whet Owl. Photo by Ken Janes*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/grosbeak_jamie_chavez.jpggrosbeak_Jamie_ChavezMale Black-headed Grosbeak. Photo by Jamie Chavez*2014-05-27T13:45:28+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/05/19/ducklings-with-superpowers/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ducklings_rona_proudfoot.jpgducklings_Rona_ProudfootNot the same ducklings, but these ones got trapped in a storm drain and had to be rescued, so they had an adventure too. Photo by Rona Proudfoot*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ducklings_mr-tindc.jpgducklings_Mr.TinDCMom keeping lookout. Photo by Mr.TinDC*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ducklings_margrit.jpgducklings_MargritJust try to catch us. Photo by Margrit*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ducklings_johanna_h.jpgducklings_Johanna_HThis Mom is shepherding rather more than her own brood of ducklings… Photo by Johanna H*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ducklings_goldeneye_skinnybrager.jpgducklings_goldeneye_skinnybragerCommon Goldeneye ducklings. Photo by skinnybrager*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ducklings_goldeneye_geir_friestad.jpgducklings_goldeneye_Geir_FriestadNobody's getting at these Common Goldeneye ducklings without going through Mom first. Photo by Geir Friestad*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ducklings_farrukh.jpgducklings_FarrukhPhoto by Farrukh*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/duckling_mergansers_liz_st_jean_photography.jpgMama and DucklingsSome conferring with my colleagues yields a split between calling these baby mergansers "ducklings" or "mergoslings," but I'm including them anyway. Photo by Liz St. Jean Photography*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/duckling_mallard_pieter_pieterse.jpgduckling_Mallard_Pieter_PieterseI can jump 50 feet with no problems. Photo by Pieter Pieterse*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/duck_eggs.jpgduck_eggsTagging an unhatched duckling. The tag is the little metal thing on the foot. After Fig. 1, Alliston 1975.2014-05-20T16:51:30+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/05/10/photos-birds-who-know-what-theyre-doing/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/organized_birds_wcsp.jpgorganized_birds_WCSPWhite-crowned Sparrow: eating a flower.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/organized_birds_vultures.jpgorganized_birds_vulturesGriffon Vultures: having a meeting.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/organized_birds_swallows.jpgorganized_birds_swallowsBarn Swallows: getting ready for bed. (That's a yawn.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/organized_birds_stork.jpgorganized_birds_storkWhite Stork: making sure all the sticks are in the right place.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/organized_birds_stilt.jpgorganized_birds_stiltBlack-winged Stilt: taking big steps with care.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/organized_birds_rooster.jpgorganized_birds_roosterRooster: keeping an eye on his hens.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/organized_birds_razorbills.jpgorganized_birds_razorbillsRazorbills: flying single-file, just like they taught in kindergarten.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/organized_birds_pigeons.jpgorganized_birds_pigeonsFeral pigeons (but in Spain!): sitting on the nest/keeping the nest-sitter company.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/organized_birds_pigeon2.jpgorganized_birds_pigeon2Another Spanish feral pigeon: guarding the city walls.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/organized_birds_phoebe.jpgorganized_birds_phoebeBlack Phoebe: watching for bugs.2014-05-12T21:46:29+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/05/02/animal-visual-illusions/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/garter_snake_oregondeptoffw.jpggarter_snake_OregonDeptofF&WGarter snake. Photo by the Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/skink_malcolm_tattersall.jpgskink_Malcolm_TattersallSkink (probably copper-tailed skink?). Photo by Malcolm Tattersall*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/peacock_spider_jurgen_otto.jpgpeacock_spider_Jurgen_OttoPeacock spider display. Photo by Jurgen Otto*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/visual_illusions12.jpgvisual_illusions1a) The vertical line looks longer than the horizontal line, even though they're both the same length. b) The top line looks longer than the bottom line, even though both are the same length. c) The middle circles are both the same size, but the one on the left looks bigger. d) The middle grey rectangle is just solid grey, but against the gradient background, it looks like a gradient. e) Both circles are the same shade of orange, but the one surrounded by black looks brighter.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/killdeer_sergey_yeliseev.jpgkilldeer_Sergey_YeliseevKilldeer, surprisingly hard to see against the rocks because of their disruptive neck markings. Photo by Sergey Yeliseev*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/killdeer_nicole_mays.jpgkilldeer_Nicole_MaysThe black and white rings on a Killdeer's neck break up its outline. Photo by Nicole Mays*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/killdeer_arielleview.jpgkilldeer_ArielleViewKilldeer chicks use white and black markings to disrupt their outlines too. Photo by ArielleView*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/visual_illusions_wild_dog.jpgvisual_illusions_wild_dogDisruptive coloring on an African Wild Doghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/visual_illusions_fish.jpgvisual_illusions_fishThe white marks on this fish break up its distinctive fish-shape, making it harder to see.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/bowerbird_melanie_cook.jpgbowerbird_Melanie_CookAre all the objects blue? Photo by Melanie Cook*2014-05-07T05:48:16+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/04/16/getting-ready/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/madrid_turtles.jpgMadrid_turtlesIn the meantime, here is a lot of turtles.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ready_flamingos.jpgready_flamingosIt could be worse - I could be lecturing flamingos. You just know they would be so judgmental.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ready_gbba.jpgready_GBBAGBBA. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/donana_sanderling2.jpgDonana_Sanderling2After all this I will relax with some Sanderling bowling.2014-04-16T17:59:35+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/04/11/spend-your-weekend-watching-these-live-bird-cams/2014-04-17T06:41:04+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/04/08/safe_behind_these_castle_walls_eggs/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/water_thick-knee_peter_steward.jpgwater_thick-knee_Peter_StewardWater Thick-knee. Photo by Peter Steward*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/rufous-naped_wren_gerwin_filius.jpgrufous-naped_wren_Gerwin_FiliusRufous-naped Wren. Photo by Gerwin Filius*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/violaceous_trogon_wilson_x.jpgviolaceous_trogon_Wilson_XViolaceous Trogon. Photo by Wilson X*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/img_2492.jpgIMG_2492https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/img_2489.jpgIMG_2489Acacia antshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/wasps_hugo_a_quintero_g.jpgwasps_Hugo_A_Quintero_GWasps. Photo by Hugo A. Quintero G.*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/mouse_in_nestbox.jpgmouse_in_nestboxThis is not what you want to see in your nestbox.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/great_hornbill_lip_kee.jpggreat_hornbill_Lip_KeeGreat Hornbill near a tree cavity. Photo by Kip Lee*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/vonderdeckens_hornbill.jpgvonderdeckens_hornbillVon der Decken's Hornbill enjoying not being walled up behind feces inside a tiny holehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/southern_penduline-tit_craig_adam.jpgsouthern_penduline-tit_Craig_AdamSouthern Penduline-tit, a.k.a. Cape Penduline Tit. Photo by Craig Adam*2016-08-25T15:30:01+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/03/20/why-be-shaped-like-a-snake-also-weasels/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/long_morna.jpglong_MornaMorna the domestic ferret showing off her catchhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/long_zap.jpglong_ZapUnfortunately, Zap the domestic ferret cannot quite make himself fit through the crack under the door.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/long_softshell2.jpglong_softshell2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/long_softshell.jpglong_softshellhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/long_sigma.jpglong_Sigmahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/long_scheltopusik2.jpglong_Scheltopusik2...but no legs! (This is a Scheltopusik.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/long_scheltopusik.jpglong_ScheltopusikRegular lizard head...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/long_roughgreensnake.jpglong_roughgreensnakeRough green snake is very long.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/long_ringneck.jpglong_ringneckVery small ringneck snake could fit anywhere.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/long_cornsnake2.jpglong_cornsnake2Corn snake doesn't know why you needed to read a whole long thing about why being snake-shaped is cool. Obviously it is.2014-04-06T17:21:04+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/03/26/i-can-fly/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_flying_yrar2.jpg2013_flying_YRAR2YRAR: and a third.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_flying_yira.jpg2013_flying_YIRAYIRAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_flying_yall2.jpg2013_flying_YALL2YALLhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_flying_yall1.jpg2013_flying_YALL1YALL againhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_flying_ub.jpg2013_flying_UBhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_flying_syan2.jpg2013_flying_SYAN2SYAN againhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_flying_syan.jpg2013_flying_SYANSYANhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_flying_srsa.jpg2013_flying_SRSASRSAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_flying_sega2.jpg2013_flying_SEGA2SEGAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013_flying_saer3.jpg2013_flying_SAER3SAER2014-04-06T17:24:14+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/03/06/field-season-2013-moments-in-photos/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/snapshots_worst_nest.jpgsnapshots_worst_nestWe called this The Worst Nest Ever. The female had built it under a single, fairly small fallen branch for cover; one gust of wind could have removed it. In the end the nest was depredated - you can see a broken eggshell off to the left in this photo - but the branch stayed put.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/snapshots_weta.jpgsnapshots_WETAThe male Western Tanager we accidentally caught. So beautiful.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/snapshots_tree.jpgsnapshots_treehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/snapshots_storm.jpgsnapshots_stormA storm coming in.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/snapshots_shrike2.jpgsnapshots_shrike2This, about a meter further along the barbed wire, was probably another squirrel.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/snapshots_shrike1.jpgsnapshots_shrike1A shrike had taken advantage of the spikes on some barbed wire to hang up his food and mark his territory. Based on the tail, this was a squirrel.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/snapshots_nestlings.jpgsnapshots_nestlingsNestlings in a hat, waiting to be banded.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/snapshots_purple_bug.jpgsnapshots_purple_bugThe coolest insect I've ever seen in person. It looked like a piece of enameled jewelry.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/snapshots_mom_eaten.jpgsnapshots_mom_eatenThis nest was built in a well-protected spot, but it came to a worse end. Not only were the chicks eaten, but the large number of adult feathers left in the nest suggests that the mother was eaten too. We think it was an American Marten.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/snapshots_logged.jpgsnapshots_loggedMy field assistants looking for the remains of the nest that some enterprising people had decided to drop chopped-down trees on top of. They didn't even haul away the logs afterwards. The chicks were killed but the mother escaped, and she renested and fledged two chicks.2014-03-08T06:37:12+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/03/04/think-like-a-scientist-check-your-sources/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/sources_kookaburra.jpgsources_kookaburraKookaburra checks EVERYTHING. Don't even try to get anything past those blue eyes.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/sources_horseshoecrab.jpgsources_horseshoecrabBut not as bad news as a baby horseshoe crab.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/sources_pheasant.jpgsources_pheasantOh no! Red flag! Ring-necked Pheasant is upset.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/sources_cootfeet.jpgsources_cootfeetSometimes a "research" column is like a coot: fine at first glance, but when you look close, really creepy feet. You followed that analogy, right?2014-03-05T22:30:31+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/02/21/ordinary-extraordinary-junco-and-the-wider-world-of-juncos/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/juncos_yellow_nebirdsplus.jpgjuncos_yellow_nebirdsplusYellow-eyed Junco. Photo by nebirdsplus*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/juncos_volcano_jerry_oldenettel.jpgjuncos_volcano_jerry_oldenettelVolcano Junco. Photo by Jerry Oldenettel*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/juncos_white-winged_john_breitsch.jpgjuncos_white-winged_John_BreitschWhite-winged junco. Photo by John Breitsch*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/juncos_red-backed_caleb_putnam.jpgjuncos_red-backed_Caleb_PutnamRed-backed junco (the difference between this and gray-headed is the color of the top of the bill). Photo by Caleb Putnam*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/juncos_pink-sided_marcel_holyoak.jpgjuncos_pink-sided_Marcel_HolyoakPink-sided junco. Photo by Marcel Holyoak*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/juncos_pink-sided_gray-headed_kenneth_cole_schneider.jpgjuncos_pink-sided_gray-headed_Kenneth_Cole_SchneiderPink-sided junco, left, and gray-headed junco, right. Photo by Kenneth Cole Schneider*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/juncos_gray-headed_k_schneider.jpgjuncos_gray-headed_K_SchneiderGray-headed junco. Photo by K Schneider*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/juncos_gray-headed_jerry_oldenettel.jpgjuncos_gray-headed_Jerry_OldenettelGray-headed junco. Photo by Jerry Oldenettelhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/juncos_everywhere_nyc2.jpgjuncos_everywhere_NYC2Rare two-head junco in Manhattan!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/juncos_everywhere_nyc.jpgjuncos_everywhere_NYCMale junco in Manhattan2014-02-23T22:53:31+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/02/07/winter-olympics-animal-edition/2014-02-11T20:06:04+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/02/04/anthropomorphism-and-how-we-think-about-animals/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/anthro_galah.jpganthro_galahGalah, photographed at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/anthro_frownfish.jpganthro_frownfishFlat frowning fish says "Bad!" also.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/athro_wilddog.jpgathro_wilddogWhat is it like to be an African wild dog? (Photographed at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/anthro_octopus.jpganthro_octopusWhat is it like to be an octopus?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/anthro_robin.jpganthro_robinFluffed American Robinhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2013_flying_ream.jpg2013_flying_REAMJunco fledgling REAMhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/anthro_mantisshrimp.jpganthro_mantisshrimpBlurry (sorry) mantis shrimp, photographed at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/anthro_fish.jpganthro_fishThis fish must look even cooler to a mantis shrimp.2014-02-05T10:37:31+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/01/23/adoption-in-birds-really/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/emperor_penguin_martha_de_jong_lantink.jpgemperor_penguin_Martha_de_Jong_LantinkEmperor Penguins. These chicks are old enough that they don't have to worry about kidnapping anymore. Photo by Martha de Jong-Lantinkhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/adoption_gull.jpgadoption_gullAdult Ring-billed Gullhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/white-tailed_sea_eagle_yathin.jpgwhite-tailed_sea_eagle_YathinWhite-tailed Sea Eagle. Photo by Yathinhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/white-tailed_sea_eagle_bruce_stokes.jpgwhite-tailed_sea_eagle_Bruce_StokesWhite-tailed Sea Eagle. Photo by Bruce Stokeshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ringbilled_gull_usfws_mountain-prairie.jpgringbilled_gull_USFWS_Mountain-PrairieRing-billed Gull chicks: not too dissimilar. Photo by USFWS Mountain-Prairiehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/red_kites_tony_hisgett.jpgred_kites_Tony_HisgettRed Kites are very acrobatic. Photo by Tony Hisgetthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/red_kite_furlined.jpgred_kite_FurLinedAdult Red Kit. Photo by FurLinedhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/pied_avocet_lip_kee.jpgpied_avocet_Lip_KeeAdult Pied Avocets. Photo by Lip Keehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/least_tern_gdiproductions.jpgleast_tern_gdiproductionsYoung Least Tern chick. Photo by gdiproductionshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/least_tern_brian_rudinsky_usfws.jpgleast_tern_Brian_Rudinsky_USFWSLeast Tern chick again. Photo by Brian Rudinsky2017-06-05T18:47:17+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/01/17/fun-with-museum-collections-and-white-spotted-juncos/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2014_collections_mgma.jpg2014_collections_MGMAMGMA. (He's being held in bander's grip - don't worry, he's not being strangled or anything.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/dsc_0161.jpgDSC_0161https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/dsc_0159.jpgDSC_0159https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2014_collections_wired.jpg2014_collections_wiredhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2014_collections_splotchyancestor.jpg2014_collections_splotchyancestorhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2014_collections_splotchy.jpg2014_collections_splotchyMy favorite campus junco.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2014_collections_cas2.jpg2014_collections_CAS2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2014_collections_cas1.jpg2014_collections_CAS1Junco specimen with many white spots. Also notice the skull in the background.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2014_collections_2juncos.jpg2014_collections_2juncosSome specimens are beautiful; some are... not.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/tamias_alpinus.jpgTamias_alpinus2014-01-18T20:23:17+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2014/01/08/why-birds-bob-their-heads/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2013_headbob_sunbittern.jpg2013_headbob_sunbitternSunbittern in the hold phase. Photographed at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2013_headbob_pigeons2.jpg2013_headbob_pigeons2We knew that.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2013_headbob_pigeons.jpg2013_headbob_pigeonsSo which is it? Why do we head bob?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2013_headbob_pigeon4.jpg2013_headbob_pigeon4Holdhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2013_headbob_pigeon3.jpg2013_headbob_pigeon3Thrusthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2013_headbob_pigeon2.jpg2013_headbob_pigeon2...head back.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2013_headbob_pigeon1.jpg2013_headbob_pigeon1Head forward...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2013_headbob_hop.jpg2013_headbob_hopHouse Sparrow mid-hop: the hopping version of the thrust phase?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2013_headbob_grackle2.jpg2013_headbob_grackle2Hunched down, about to spring: the hopping version of the hold phase?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2013_headbob_grackle1.jpg2013_headbob_grackle1Boat-tailed Grackle in normal posture.2016-03-30T17:07:25+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/12/30/avian-fireworks/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_fireworks_unknown.jpg2013_fireworks_unknownUnknown bird (anyone?). Photographed at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_fireworks_scarlet_ibis.jpg2013_fireworks_Scarlet_IbisScarlet Ibis. Photographed at the National Zoo in Baltimore.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_fireworks_rainbow_lorikeet2.jpg2013_fireworks_Rainbow_Lorikeet2Peekaboo with double-eyes!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_fireworks_rainbow_lorikeet.jpg2013_fireworks_Rainbow_LorikeetRainbow Lorikeet. Photographed at the National Zoo in Baltimore.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_fireworks_nicobar_pigeon.jpg2013_fireworks_Nicobar_PigeonNicobar Pigeon. Photographed at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_fireworks_mandarin_duck.jpg2013_fireworks_Mandarin_DuckMandarin Duck. Photographed at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_fireworks_golden-breasted_starling3.jpg2013_fireworks_Golden-breasted_Starling3Shake that butt.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_fireworks_golden-breasted_starling2.jpg2013_fireworks_Golden-breasted_Starling2Golden-breasted Starling. Photographed at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_fireworks_golden-breasted_starling.jpg2013_fireworks_Golden-breasted_StarlingWhat're you looking at?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_fireworks_emerald_dove.jpg2013_fireworks_Emerald_DoveEmerald Dove. Photographed at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.2014-01-07T21:28:11+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/12/05/photo-sequences-vulture-vs-rake-flamingo-fight/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vulture_sophia19.jpgvulture_sophia19https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vulture_sophia18.jpgvulture_sophia18https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vulture_sophia17.jpgvulture_sophia17https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vulture_sophia16.jpgvulture_sophia16https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vulture_sophia15.jpgvulture_sophia15https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vulture_sophia14.jpgvulture_sophia14https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vulture_sophia13.jpgvulture_sophia13https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vulture_sophia12.jpgvulture_sophia12https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vulture_sophia11.jpgvulture_sophia11https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/vulture_sophia10.jpgvulture_sophia102013-12-29T23:08:36+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/12/24/greenish-bycatch/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch4_macwarbler4.jpg2013_bycatch4_macwarbler4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch4_macwarbler5.jpg2013_bycatch4_macwarbler5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch4_macwarbler2.jpg2013_bycatch4_macwarbler2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch4_macwarbler3.jpg2013_bycatch4_macwarbler3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch4_juvtowhee3.jpg2013_bycatch4_juvtowhee3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch4_macwarbler1.jpg2013_bycatch4_macwarbler1Kia extracting the warbler from the nethttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch4_juvtowhee1.jpg2013_bycatch4_juvtowhee1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch4_juvtowhee2.jpg2013_bycatch4_juvtowhee2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch4_creeper4.jpg2013_bycatch4_creeper4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch4_creeper2.jpg2013_bycatch4_creeper22013-12-25T05:08:47+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/12/17/red-finch-orange-finch-yellow-finch/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/hofi_orange_nicole_beaulac.jpgHOFI_orange_Nicole_BeaulacHurray for orange! (Orange male House Finch. Photo by Nicole Beaulac.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/hofi_ken-ichi_ueda.jpgYellow and orange male House Finches. Photo by Ken-ichi Ueda.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/hofi_john_breitsch_breitschbirding.jpgHOFI_John_Breitsch_breitschbirdingThis is extremely unfair. (Yellow male House Finch. Photo by John Breitsch.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_hofi4.jpg2013_HOFI4It shouldn't be complex. Red should be the best, period. Hmph. (Photo by M. LaBarbera.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_hofi2.jpg2013_HOFI2Yeah red males are the best. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_hofi3.jpg2013_HOFI3But I'm red! Come back, hon! (Female, left, and red male House Finch. Photo by M. LaBarbera.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/hofi.jpgHOFIExtremely scientific diagram of male House Finch color variation.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013_hofi1.jpg2013_HOFI1Red male House Finch. Photo by M. LaBarbera.2018-04-14T21:56:34+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/12/02/funny-looking-birds-look-like-that-for-a-reason/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/dark-eyed_junco_m_9970.jpgdark-eyed_junco_M_9970https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/coot_wikimedia_commons_mike_baird.jpgcoot_wikimedia_commons_mike_bairdAmerican Coot adult and chicks. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, by Mike Baird.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/funny_coot4.jpgfunny_coot4American Coothttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/funny_inca_tern2.jpgfunny_inca_tern2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/funny_coot3.jpgfunny_coot3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/funny_inca_tern.jpgfunny_inca_ternhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/funny_coot2.jpgfunny_coot2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/funny_coot1.jpgfunny_coot1Look at those weird foot-fingers.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/funny_african_spoonbill3.jpgfunny_African_spoonbill3African Spoonbill at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicagohttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/funny_african_spoonbill2.jpgfunny_African_spoonbill2What? Ends up looking this good, you mean?2013-12-04T16:11:32+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/10/10/think-like-a-scientist-sample-size/2013-12-02T17:55:43+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/11/22/winter-is-there/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013_winter_view.jpg2013_winter_viewhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013_winter_snow.jpg2013_winter_snowhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013_winter_seal.jpg2013_winter_SEALSEAL on the snow.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013_winter_sairs_nest3.jpg2013_winter_SAIRs_nest3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013_winter_sairs_nest2.jpg2013_winter_SAIRs_nest2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013_winter_sairs_nest.jpg2013_winter_SAIRs_nestSAIR and MERA's chickshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013_winter_sairs_nest_4.jpg2013_winter_SAIRs_nest_4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013_winter_road.jpg2013_winter_roadhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013_winter_mushrooms.jpg2013_winter_mushroomshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013_winter_mosstrees.jpg2013_winter_moss+trees2013-11-23T04:52:50+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/11/14/how-i-got-into-research/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/how_i_res_howr.jpghow_i_res_howrI did eventually figure out what House Wrens were. (This is a 9-day-old nestling. Look at the bill on him! It looks very long and pointy to my junco-accustomed eyes.)2016-08-01T00:04:40+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/11/08/butterflies-on-corn-lilies/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_butterflies_redspots2.jpg2013_butterflies_redspots2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_butterflies_redspots1.jpg2013_butterflies_redspots1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_butterflies_nest.jpg2013_butterflies_nestButterfly in the top right, nest in the middle.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_butterflies_nest2.jpg2013_butterflies_nest2IKIA's nesthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_butterflies_blue2.jpg2013_butterflies_blue2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_butterflies_blue1.jpg2013_butterflies_blue12013-11-09T20:04:56+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/11/05/herps-of-the-field-2013/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_herps_goldfrog11.jpg2013_herps_goldfrog1The gold onehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/western_fence_lizard_0077.jpgwestern_fence_lizard_0077Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/pacific_treefrog_0299.jpgPacific_treefrog_0299https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/pacific_treefrog_0298.jpgPacific_treefrog_0298https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_herps_snake4.jpg2013_herps_snake4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_herps_snake3.jpg2013_herps_snake3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_herps_snake2.jpg2013_herps_snake2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_herps_snake1.jpg2013_herps_snake1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_herps_goldfrog2.jpg2013_herps_goldfrog2"Green" morph (I think he looks more golden)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_herps_goldfrog1.jpg2013_herps_goldfrog12013-11-07T18:58:07+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/07/19/what-do-birds-see/2018-01-10T14:53:24+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/10/31/scary-search-term-adventures/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_scary_sta.jpg2013_scary_STACute, yes, but crucially NOT A HUMAN BABY.2013-11-02T03:19:15+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/10/23/banding-a-nest/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/banding_nest-ebbetts_pass-07-04_0667.jpgbanding_nest-Ebbetts_Pass-07-04_0667Me putting the chicks back in their nest. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/banding_nest-ebbetts_pass-07-04_0656.jpgbanding_nest-Ebbetts_Pass-07-04_0656Junco pair with bugs for their chicks. They can definitely catch more bugs than you can, and they know what the best bugs are, too. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/banding_nest-ebbetts_pass-07-04_0652.jpgbanding_nest-Ebbetts_Pass-07-04_0652Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/banding_nest-ebbetts_pass-07-04_0646.jpgbanding_nest-Ebbetts_Pass-07-04_0646https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/banding_nest-ebbetts_pass-07-04_0630.jpgbanding_nest-Ebbetts_Pass-07-04_0630What to do? Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/banding_nest-ebbetts_pass-07-04_0625.jpgbanding_nest-Ebbetts_Pass-07-04_0625Mom did the same. It does make a kind of sense - that's where the chicks SHOULD be, after all.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/banding_nest-ebbetts_pass-07-04_0617.jpgbanding_nest-Ebbetts_Pass-07-04_0617Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/banding_nest-ebbetts_pass-07-04_0610.jpgbanding_nest-Ebbetts_Pass-07-04_0610Mom has a bug too. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/banding_nest-ebbetts_pass-07-04_0603.jpgbanding_nest-Ebbetts_Pass-07-04_0603Dad looking at us again. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/banding_nest-ebbetts_pass-07-04_0591.jpgbanding_nest-Ebbetts_Pass-07-04_0591Dad went to the nest to try to feed the chicks - you can see his tail here - even though he definitely had seen that we had the chicks. Photo by M. LaBarbera2013-10-28T01:54:09+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/10/18/think-like-a-scientist-human-driven-selection/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/chicken_ido_mor.jpgchicken_Ido_MorThis chicken might want to kill you... Photo by Ido Morhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/nz_lamb.jpgNZ_lambFrolicking New Zealand lamb only needs antibiotics if she gets sick, thanks.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/piglets.jpgpigletsMaybe in one of these piglets?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_selection_catfish.jpg2013_selection_catfishBig catfish = delicious.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/heifers.jpgheifersYoung beef heifers: big, stocky, shaggy.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/dairy_calfme.jpgdairy_calf+meDairy calf: slender and gangly. (And thirsty.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/kenya_greater_kudu.jpgKenya_greater_kuduA form beautiful and wonderful: male greater kudu in Kenya.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/chicken_a_luciano.jpgchicken_A_LucianoThis chicken might want to kill you...2013-10-22T19:06:01+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/10/16/come-on-government-you-can-do-it/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/rathvons_lady_beetle_1096.jpgRathvon's_lady_beetle_1096A Rathvon's lady beetle from my study area. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/katie_w_california_sister_9963.jpgKatie_w_California_Sister_9963The butterfly was a California Sister. Photo by M. LaBarbera2013-10-17T05:53:37+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/10/12/small-nest-big-babies-no-problem/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_packed_ur_eggs.jpg2013_packed_UR_eggsThese eggs are a mess. Look at that one shoved under the others. Don't let this be your nest!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_packed_sesasibs.jpg2013_packed_SESA+sibsLike SESA and her siblings, you'll need a lot of space for the linear face-forward, but its understated elegance makes this one a classic.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_packed_okras_mom.jpg2013_packed_OKRAs_momOKRA's mom proudly sits on her babies.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_packed_okrasibs.jpg2013_packed_OKRA+sibsOKRA and her siblings went for an everyone-facing-out look.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_packed_malksibs.jpg2013_packed_MALK+sibsMALK and his siblings prefer the double-decker face-forward.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_packed_loras_eggs.jpg2013_packed_LORAs_eggsLORA's eggshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_packed_kasss_chicks.jpg2013_packed_KASSs_chicksThe face-backward, also known as the reverse face-forward. Not the most efficient for feeding, but KASS says, "My friends were surprised and impressed at my unconventional choice. I like to be my own bird."https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_packed_barbs_eggs.jpg2013_packed_BARBs_eggsBARB's eggshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_packed_barb.jpg2013_packed_BARBBARB on her well-organized nest.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_packed_arbssibs.jpg2013_packed_ARBS+sibsARBS and his siblings demonstrate the more challenging five-bird double-decker face-forward.2013-10-13T06:12:19+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/10/09/precedented-bycatch/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch2_wisa5.jpg2013_bycatch2_WISA5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch2_wisa4.jpg2013_bycatch2_WISA4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch2_wisa3.jpg2013_bycatch2_WISA3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch2_wisa2.jpg2013_bycatch2_WISA2I am forming the letter "Y" with my body to communicate "Y are you holding me?"https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch2_wisa.jpg2013_bycatch2_WISAWho do you think you are?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch2_wisa_tail.jpg2013_bycatch2_WISA_tailhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch2_wisa_feet.jpg2013_bycatch2_WISA_feethttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch2_hummingbird4.jpg2013_bycatch2_hummingbird4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch2_hummingbird3.jpg2013_bycatch2_hummingbird3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_bycatch2_hummingbird2.jpg2013_bycatch2_hummingbird22013-10-10T18:46:55+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/10/01/shutdowns-and-outages-when-infrastructure-fails-science/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_shutdown2.jpg2013_shutdown2OH NO!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_shutdown.jpg2013_shutdownhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013_shutdown_bbl.jpg2013_shutdown_BBL2013-10-16T21:56:25+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/09/30/why-birds-hold-their-heads-still-that-awesome-chicken-ad/2021-03-30T23:27:23+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/09/27/spotty-squishy-and-sweaty-mushrooms-of-the-field/2014-04-07T03:10:04+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/09/20/say-aah/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_hungry_ures.jpg2013_hungry_UReshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_hungry_seals_chicks4.jpg2013_hungry_SEALs_chicks4...and the one on the left decides he's going to eat the stalk of the corn lily that has been over his nest for literally his entire life.2013-10-24T02:54:23+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/09/07/update-on-the-nest-that-came-back/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_ntcb_roan_4.jpg2013_NTCB_ROAN_4Big soaring wings like a Turkey Vulture!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_ntcb_roan_3.jpg2013_NTCB_ROAN_3I can do it!!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_ntcb_roan_2.jpg2013_NTCB_ROAN_2No?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_ntcb_roan_1.jpg2013_NTCB_ROAN_1Big sister ROANhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_ntcb_ambr_2.jpg2013_NTCB_AMBR_2Little sister AMBRhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_ntcb_ambr_1.jpg2013_NTCB_AMBR_1AMBR perchinghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_ntcb_alys_2.jpg2013_NTCB_ALYS_2ALYS perching, kind of.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_ntcb_alys_1.jpg2013_NTCB_ALYS_1Little sister ALYS2013-09-08T21:53:46+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/09/03/the-fleeting-beauty-of-the-fall-molt/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_molt_sera.jpg2013_molt_SERASERAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_molt_sali.jpg2013_molt_SALISALI: streaky head but reddish feathers peaking over her shouldershttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_molt_ryya.jpg2013_molt_RYYAOlder fledgling RYYA. Note the remnant of yellow gape at the edge of the bill.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_molt_omar.jpg2013_molt_OMAROMARhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_molt_nena3.jpg2013_molt_NENA3NENAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_molt_nena2.jpg2013_molt_NENA2NENA in actionhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_molt_nena.jpg2013_molt_NENANENA later. Her hood is mostly dark, with scattered light patches.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_molt_lisa2.jpg2013_molt_LISA2LISA's hood is especially light and full of browns.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_molt_lisa.jpg2013_molt_LISALISA again. Such a pretty head.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013_molt_lear2.jpg2013_molt_LEAR2LEAR's breast is the white-with-buffy-sides of an adult, but the underside of his throat is still streaky.2014-01-27T04:39:57+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/08/21/golden-bycatch-ii/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013_weta5.jpg2013_WETA5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013_weta4.jpg2013_WETA4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013_weta3.jpg2013_WETA3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013_weta2.jpg2013_WETA2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013_weta1.jpg2013_WETA1Male Western Tanager2013-08-22T05:57:48+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/08/17/the-nest-that-came-back-from-the-dead/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013_ncb4.jpg2013_NCB4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013_ncb3.jpg2013_NCB3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013_ncb2.jpg2013_NCB2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013_ncb1.jpg2013_NCB12021-05-03T19:56:29+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/08/14/on-the-recent-sparsity-of-posts/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013_flying_sska.jpg2013_flying_SSKASSKAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013_flying_oakk.jpg2013_flying_OAKKOAKK trying really hardhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013_flying_oakk2.jpg2013_flying_OAKK2OAKKhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2013_flying_irea2.jpg2013_flying_IREA2IREA2013-08-15T17:38:42+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/07/30/amle-is-watching-you/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_amle5.jpg2013_AMLE5AMLE againhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_amle4.jpg2013_AMLE4I know you've already seen this picture, but it's so good!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_amle3.jpg2013_AMLE3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_amle2.jpg2013_AMLE2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_amle.jpg2013_AMLEhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_amle_tail.jpg2013_AMLE_tailhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_amle_chicks.jpg2013_AMLE_chicksAMLE's nest2013-08-15T06:07:32+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/07/27/encounters-with-baby-mammals-sometimes-they-run-sometimes-you-run/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_mammals_frog.jpg2013_mammals_froghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_mammals_landscape.jpg2013_mammals_landscapehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_mammals_fawn2.jpg2013_mammals_fawn2A mule deer fawn left alone by his mother, but she'll be back.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_mammals_fawn1.jpg2013_mammals_fawn1See the fawn?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_mammals_bears.jpg2013_mammals_bearsBlack bear and cub. Photo by Jeremy Spool2013-07-28T23:06:38+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/07/21/more-baby-pictures/2013-08-07T20:28:00+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/07/18/little-creeper-and-creeping-bycatch/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_creeper8.jpg2013_creeper8https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_creeper7.jpg2013_creeper7https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_creeper6.jpg2013_creeper6Adult's stiff tailfeathershttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_creeper5.jpg2013_creeper5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_creeper4.jpg2013_creeper4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_creeper3.jpg2013_creeper3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_creeper2.jpg2013_creeper2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_creeper1.jpg2013_creeper12013-07-11T00:32:49+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/07/15/two-hundredth-junco/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_yssa4.jpg2013_YSSA4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_yssa3.jpg2013_YSSA3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_yssa2.jpg2013_YSSA2Flying!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_yssa.jpg2013_YSSA2013-07-17T03:51:26+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/06/27/baby-pictures/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_babies_yary.jpg2013_babies_YARYYARYhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_babies_rona2.jpg2013_babies_RONA2RONA being released. After this was taken, she found her parents and was fed.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_babies_rona.jpg2013_babies_RONAKEAR's sibling RONAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_babies_ra.jpg2013_babies_RAR-A-https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_babies_nest3.jpg2013_babies_nest3Hint: look at the top egg...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_babies_nest2.jpg2013_babies_nest2Do you see the third?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_babies_nest1.jpg2013_babies_nest1How many chicks are in this photo?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_babies_klay.jpg2013_babies_KLAYNotice how KLAY's wing feathers are almost completely still in their sheathshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_babies_kear.jpg2013_babies_KEAROlder fledgling KEARhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013_babies_kamy.jpg2013_babies_KAMYKAMY's bare "baby belly"2013-07-11T00:17:00+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/06/29/what-would-happen-to-you-if-you-shrank-to-1-inch-high-and-more/2013-07-01T07:38:15+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/06/17/unprecedented-bycatch/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-2_sapsucker8.jpgb2013-2_sapsucker8https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-2_sapsucker7.jpgb2013-2_sapsucker7https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-2_sapsucker6.jpgb2013-2_sapsucker6https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-2_sapsucker5.jpgb2013-2_sapsucker5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-2_sapsucker4.jpgb2013-2_sapsucker4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-2_sapsucker3.jpgb2013-2_sapsucker3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-2_sapsucker2.jpgb2013-2_sapsucker2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-2_sapsucker.jpgb2013-2_sapsuckerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-2_hummingbird2.jpgb2013-2_hummingbird2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-2_hummingbird.jpgb2013-2_hummingbird2013-06-27T23:01:42+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/06/10/return-of-the-bycatch/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-1_robin2.jpgb2013-1_robin2Maybe if I stretch out horizontally, it will think I'm a twig and let go of me.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-1_robin.jpgb2013-1_robinOmigosh omigosh.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-1_rbnu3.jpgb2013-1_RBNU3This whole situation is beneath me.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-1_rbnu2.jpgb2013-1_RBNU2Red-breasted Nuthatch: such a small bird for that big noise.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-1_rbnu.jpgb2013-1_RBNUYou think I'm intimidated by you? Hah!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-1_gcki3.jpgb2013-1_GCKI3…a crown?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-1_gcki2.jpgb2013-1_GCKI2You must be using size to compensate for something. Perhaps you lack…https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-1_gcki.jpgb2013-1_GCKIWow you're a big animal.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-1_fosp4.jpgb2013-1_FOSP4Unhand me at once!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/b2013-1_fosp3.jpgb2013-1_FOSP3I am ashamed, for what I am about to do is entirely beneath my dignity. But you leave me no choice.2013-06-11T17:12:11+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/06/04/what-bird-colors-can-tell-you/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/great_frigate_m_0152.jpggreat_frigate_M_0152Male Great Frigatebirds show off with bright carotenoid-red throat patches and structural iridescence on their bodies. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/baltimore_oriole_0163r.jpgBaltimore_oriole_0163rThat berry may contain carotenoids to help this Baltimore Oriole stay orange. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/northern_cardinal_0015r.jpgNorthern_cardinal_0015rThis male Northern Cardinal's bright red advertises his foraging prowess. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-color_anhu3.jpg2013-color_ANHU3…to the perfect angle for his iridescent colors to be reflected to us.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-color_anhu2.jpg2013-color_ANHU2…turns his head…https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-color_anhu.jpg2013-color_ANHUAnna's Hummingbird…https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/superb_juncos.jpgsuperb_juncos2013-06-08T23:07:55+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/06/07/damaged-feet-but-still-hopping/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-feet_lank3.jpg2013-feet_LANK3LANKhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-feet_lank2.jpg2013-feet_LANK2The bent toe is the left-most top toe on his right foothttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-feet_lank.jpg2013-feet_LANKhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-feet_-ay2.jpg2013-feet_--AY2Closer view of the foot, showing callouses on the downward side. The sun makes the foot look red but it wasn't in reality.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-feet_-ay.jpg2013-feet_--AY--AY's healthy right foot and sideways left foot.2021-01-26T21:55:52+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/06/01/one-hundredth-junco/2013-05-31T19:40:55+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/05/30/first-juncos-of-the-2013-field-season/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-1_rroa.jpg2013-1_RROAMe with RROA, my hundredth junco.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-1_rkkaybya.jpg2013-1_RKKA+YBYARKKA and YBYA, who flew into the net simultaneously.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-1_rags.jpg2013-1_RAGSRAGShttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-1_lank.jpg2013-1_LANKLANKhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-1_gram.jpg2013-1_GRAMGRAM had a few white feathers just around his eyes.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-1_gila2.jpg2013-1_GILA2Male GILA. The bands on his legs are read top-left, bottom-left, top-right, bottom-right: he has Green, shrImp, Lime, Aluminum, hence GILA.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-1_gila.jpg2013-1_GILAGILA had an unusual white feather on the back of his head.2013-05-31T01:43:02+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/05/11/scouting-snow-fog-and-little-red-spiders/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/scout_stream.jpgscout_streamhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/scout_spiders2.jpgscout_spiders2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/scout_spiders1.jpgscout_spiders1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/scout_snowtree.jpgscout_snow+treehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/scout_snowfog.jpgscout_snow+foghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/scout_no_shooting.jpgscout_no_shootinghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/scout_mtns.jpgscout_mtnshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/scout_marten3.jpgscout_marten3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/scout_marten2.jpgscout_marten2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/scout_marten1.jpgscout_marten12013-06-27T23:04:34+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/01/08/awkward-duck-candids/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/awkd_wood.jpgawkd_woodWood Ducks: sorry, you had your mouth open.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/awkd_ruddy3.jpgawkd_ruddy3- no...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/awkd_ruddy2.jpgawkd_ruddy2- no, lift your head up -https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/awkd_ruddy.jpgawkd_ruddyMale Ruddy Duck: if you could just life your head -https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/awkd_mallard3.jpgawkd_mallard3Male Mallard (and male Wood Duck): That's it. I'm done.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/awkd_mallard2.jpgawkd_mallard2Female Mallard (and female Wood Duck): not sure how to say this, but you're drooling...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/awkd_mallard.jpgawkd_mallardFemale Mallard: lovely coy pose, but blinked.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/awkd_hood7.jpgawkd_hood7Female Hooded Merganser: not you too!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/awkd_hood6.jpgawkd_hood6Wait -https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/awkd_hood5.jpgawkd_hood5What are you doing?!2013-05-05T21:25:30+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/04/01/animal-april-fools/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/meerkat_capricorn_cringe.jpgmeerkat_Capricorn_CringeDead dead dead. Hey man, can you stop looking at me? You're kind of ruining it. At least look like you're sad or something. (Meerkats; photo by Capricorn Cringe.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hognose_benny_mazur.jpghognose_Benny_MazurAaargh I'm so dead I'm throwing up this toad I ate! Dead things throw stuff up, right? (Hognose snake; photo by Benny Mazur.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/western_fence_lizard_tim_proffitt-white.jpgwestern_fence_lizard_Tim_Proffitt-WhiteSo dead. (Western fence lizard; photo by Tim Proffitt-White.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ringnecked_snake_randomtruth.jpgringnecked_snake_randomtruthLook at my death contortions. (Ring-necked snake; photo by randomtruth.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/oppossum_tony_alter.jpgoppossum_Tony_AlterUgh, look at my gross dead mouth. Now go away. (Opossum; photo by Tony Alter.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hodgsons_hawk_cuckoo_tom_tarrant.jpgHodgson's_hawk_cuckoo_Tom_TarrantI'm a hawk! I look like one and everything. No, my bill isn't too skinny, it's… pointed. Like, really sharp. (Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo; photo by Tom Tarrant.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/butterflies_anna_hesser.jpgbutterflies_Anna_HesserBig hungry sharp-talons owl! Woo-woo! (Butterflies; photo by Anna Hesser.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/flower_spider_jaymar_alvaran.jpgflower_spider_Jaymar_AlvaranJust a pretty yellow flower. All full of sweet nectar, mmm. Come closer. (Flower spider; photo by Jaymar Alvaran.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ant_mimic_spider_vipin_baliga.jpgant_mimic_spider_Vipin_BaligaHello, fellow ant. Oh, why am I carrying one of your dead sisters in my jaws? Well, she - sadly - died on her own, and, you know, wouldn't want to waste... Yeah, why don't you come closer to help me carry her... (Ant-mimic spider carrying its prey, an ant. Photo by Vipin Baliga.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ghost_mantis_frupus.jpgghost_mantis_FrupusI'm kind of a scary dead leaf. You should be uninterested AND intimidated. (Ghost mantis; photo by Frupus.)2013-05-05T21:23:42+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/05/05/higgledy-piggledy-zoologistically/2014-09-22T10:20:04+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/11/26/search-term-adventures/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/sta_howr.jpgsta_HOWRNestling House Wrenhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/sta_chick.jpgsta_chickDark-eyed Junco nestlinghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/sta_blackbird.jpgsta_blackbirdFemale Brewer's Blackbird2017-08-12T15:25:09+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/05/01/in-praise-of-canada-geese/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/canada_goose_0085r.jpgCanada_goose_0085rPhoto by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/goose1.jpggoose1Canada Goose in flight.2013-05-02T05:08:46+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/04/27/getting-a-science-phd-is-not-the-most-terrible-idea-in-the-world/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/porc2_heidi_schuyt_photography.jpgporc2_Heidi_Schuyt_PhotographySome days PhDs look less adorable than others. Photo by Heidi Schuyt.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/porc_heidi_schuyt_photography.jpgporc_Heidi_Schuyt_PhotographyPhoto by Heidi Schuyt Photographyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/hummingbird_fluffed.jpghummingbird_fluffed2013-05-06T23:37:25+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/04/24/birds-who-see-what-we-cant/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/penguin_su_yin_khoo.jpgpenguin_Su_Yin_KhooKing Penguin; notice the pinhole pupil. Photo by Su Yin Khoohttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/tawny_owl_sergey_yeliseev.jpgTawny_owl_Sergey_YeliseevTawny Owl. Photo by Sergey Yeliseevhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/kestrelvole_pat_gaines.jpgkestrel+vole_Pat_GainesKestrel with a captured vole. Photo by Pat Gaineshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/starlings_tina_s_white.jpgstarlings_Tina_S_WhiteStarling adult and fledglings - who may be too old and feathered to reflect much UV from their skin now, but are definitely still hungry. Photo by Tina S. White.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/cormoranteel_thriol.jpgcormorant+eel_thriolThis blur looks edible. Photo by thriol.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/oilbird_quinten_questel.jpgoilbird_Quinten_QuestelHere's a real picture. Photo by Quinten Questalhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/oilbird_mikes_birds.jpgoilbird_Mike's_BirdsThings smaller than 20 cm aren't important enough to avoid anyway. Photo by Mike's Birdshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/oilbird_barloventomagico.jpgoilbird_barloventomagicoOilbird. Photo by barloventomagico*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/black.jpgblackOilbird inside a cave. You're welcome.2014-06-15T16:29:45+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/04/17/genetics-is-complicated-mouse-edition/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/marz_5.jpgMarz_5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/marz_2.jpgMarz_2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/marzipan.jpgMarzipanMarzipanhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ccs_3.jpgCCs_3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ccs_2.jpgCCs_2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/candy_corn.jpgCandy_CornCandy Corn nursing some of the babies (not all hers)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/porter.jpgPorterPorter was also the freelance science mouse from a few weeks ago. He owed me that.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ca_flag.jpgCA_flagThis happens. (Incidentally, doesn't this look like a mouse version of the Canadian flag?)2013-12-26T20:13:35+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/04/11/avian-flight-ii-albatross-flight/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dynamic_soaring.jpgdynamic_soaringDynamic soaring diagramhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/albatross_soaring3_koman_tam.jpgalbatross_soaring3_Koman_TamI could do this all year. Photo by Koman Tamhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/black_footed_ken_schneider.jpgblack_footed_Ken_SchneiderPhoto by Ken Schneiderhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/albatrosschick_james_preston.jpgalbatross+chick_James_PrestonI look like this and I am still awesome. Photo by James Prestonhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/albatross_soaring2_anoldent.jpgalbatross_soaring2_anoldentAgain, the point is that I am awesome at this. Photo by anoident.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/albatross_soaring_tony_linde.jpgalbatross_soaring_Tony_LindeI am awesome. Photo by Tony Schneider2015-06-10T04:18:23+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/04/05/another-freelance-science-mouse/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/hiding.jpghidingMuch better.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dsc_0023.jpgDSC_0023PLEASE just leave me alone.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/dsc_0017.jpgDSC_0017Porter with the test chip glued to his back2013-04-12T06:34:47+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/03/29/the-incredible-story-of-the-black-robin/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/tomtit_f_digitaltrails.jpgTomtit_f_digitaltrailsFemale Tomtit. Photo by digitaltrailshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/tomtit_digitaltrails.jpgTomtit_digitaltrailsMale Tomtit. Photo by digitaltrailshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/old-blue-plaque.jpgold-blue-plaquePlaque to Old Blue, "Saviour of her species," at the Chatham Island airport.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/blackrobin_wiki_schmechf.jpgBlackRobin_Wiki_schmechfBlack Robin. Photo originally by schmechf, modified by Wikimedia Commons.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/black_robin5.jpgblack_robin52020-10-03T02:24:40+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/03/22/dinosaurs/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/green_ibis_alastairrae.jpggreen_ibis_AlastairRaeGreen Ibis: not so different from Microraptor? Photo by Alastair Raehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/secretarybird_mikerichardsonsarahwinch2.jpgSecretary BirdSecretarybird. Photo by Mike Richardson and Sarah Winchhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/secretarybird_mikerichardsonsarahwinch.jpgSecretary BirdPhoto by Mike Richardson and Sarah Winchhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/secretarybird_leopard-girl.jpgsecretarybird_Leopard-GirlPhoto by Leopard-Girlhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/secretarybird_brianscott.jpgsecretarybird_BrianScottSecretarybirds kill snakes by stomping on them, then eat them. Photo by Brian Scotthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/emu_woaw.jpgemu_WOAWEmu. Photo by World of Animal Welfarehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/takahe_richard_ashurst.jpgtakahe_Richard_AshurstPhoto by Richard Ashursthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/takahe_digitaltrails.jpgtakahe_digitaltrailsMy nomination for mental herbivorous dinosaur stand-in: the Takahe. Photo by digitaltrailshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/takahe_craignash.jpgtakahe_CraigNashPhoto by Craig Nashhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/takahe_chick_peterharrison.jpgtakahe_chick_PeterHarrisonJuvenile Takahe. Photo by Peter Harrison2013-04-18T01:09:00+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/03/20/research-is-personal-two-quotes/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2q_junco.jpg2q_juncoYour FACE is a mentally empty drone!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2q_elk.jpg2q_elk"This applicant is, personally, the sole reason why we haven't solved deforestation and climate change! Not only shouldn't we give her money, we should actually steal money from her when she isn't looking! Come on, Review Committee, who's with me?"2013-03-21T05:11:45+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/03/15/learning-how-to-eat-like-a-bird/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/caughtbug_david_mikulin.jpgcaughtbug_David_MikulinDoesn't matter. I can catch it. Photo by David Mikulinhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/wheatear_michael_bamford.jpgwheatear_Michael_BamfordAdult Northern Wheatear hunting in the grass. Photo by Michael Bamfordhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/reedwarblerfledge_markrobinson.jpgreedwarblerfledge_MarkRobinsonFledgling Reed Warbler (probably - ID is not 100% certain. Fledgling something, certainly!) Photo by Mark Robinsonhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/reedwarbler_chicks_nottsexminer.jpgreedwarbler_chicks_nottsexminerReed Warbler chicks. This is the life. Photo by nottsexminerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/reedwarbler_andymorffew.jpgreedwarbler_AndyMorffewAdult Reed Warbler. Photo by Andy Morffew2016-06-19T16:19:59+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/26/featured-paper-fledging/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/raspberry.jpgRaspberryA rehabbed House Wren nestling (and messy eater) nearly ready to fledge2015-06-29T21:26:46+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/03/12/badges-of-status-or-keeping-house-sparrows-honest/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hosp.jpgHOSPhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hosp_ramesh_rasaiyan.jpgHOSP_Ramesh_RasaiyanPhoto by Ramesh Rasaiyanhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hosp_jessica_lucia2.jpgHOSP_Jessica_Lucia2Take that! Photo by Jessica Luciahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hosp_jessica_lucia1.jpgHOSP_Jessica_Lucia1Male House Sparrows fighting. Photo by Jessica Luciahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hosp_alexandra_mackenzie.jpgHOSP_Alexandra_MacKenzieYou talkin' to me? Photo by Alexandra MacKenziehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/moose_gary_beck.jpgBull MooseThis is not a very tough moose. Photo by Gary Beck2013-08-31T17:17:24+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/02/22/avian-flight-i-built-for-flight/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/grouse_tatiana_gettelman.jpggrouse_Tatiana_GettelmanMale Greater Sage-grouse. I couldn't find any pictures of chickens flying (apparently chickens are lazy!) but grouse similarly fly only in short bursts and have primarily white-muscle-fibered flight muscles. Photo by Tatiana Gettelmanhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/avocet_michael_brace.jpgavocet_Michael_BracePied Avocet. Photo by Michael Bracehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/skel3_incognita_nom_de_plume.jpgskel3_Incognita_Nom_de_PlumeLots of bird skeletons. Photo by Incognita Nom de Plumehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/skel2_howzey.jpgskel2_howzeySkeleton of an unknown bird. Photo by howzey.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/skel_kingpeng_dave_lunt.jpgskel_kingpeng_Dave_LuntKing Penguin skeleton. Note the thicker bones and generally more robust skeleton. Photo by Dave Lunthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/skel_fiona_harding.jpgskel_Fiona_HardingSkeleton of an unknown bird. Photo by Fiona Hardinghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/skel_dino_philip_cohn.jpgskel_dino_Philip_CohnNot necessarily the direct ancestors of birds; simply examples of somewhat bird-shaped but non-flying organisms. Photo by Philip Cohnhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/flight1_gulls.jpgflight1_gullsLaughing Gulls in flighthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/flight1_jelly.jpgflight1_jellyAir-jellyfish floating in a pink sunset. (Or, Northeast Pacific sea nettle in an artistically-lit tank at the Shedd Aquarium.)https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/toucan_luca5.jpgtoucan_Luca5Toucan bills are hollow, so not as heavy as they look. Photo by Luca5.2014-01-29T11:50:39+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/02/19/bird-dances-for-two/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/greaterbop_ivan_teage.jpgGreaterBOP_Ivan_TeageMale Greater Bird-of-paradise. Photo by Ivan Teage.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/westerngrebe_dance_teddy_llovet.jpgWesternGrebe_dance_Teddy_LlovetWestern Grebes performing courtship dance. Photo by Teddy Llovet.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/westerngrebe_mark_l_watson.jpgWesternGrebe_Mark_L_WatsonWestern Grebes performing an early step in the courtship dance. Photo by Mark L. Watson.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/greatcrestedgrebe_mike_scott.jpgGreatCrestedGrebe_Mike_ScottGreat Crested Grebe parent with chicks. Photo by Mike Scott.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/laysan_albatross_michael_lusk.jpgLaysan_albatross_Michael_LuskLaysan Albatross pair performing courtship dance. Photo by Michael Lusk.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/waved_albatross_aaron_logan.jpgwaved_albatross_Aaron_LoganWaved Albatross dancing. Photo by Aaron Logan.2013-02-22T22:39:06+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/02/13/the-local-juncos-mutant-and-otherwise/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cj_white4.jpgcj_white4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cj_white3.jpgcj_white3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cj_white2.jpgcj_white2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cj_white1.jpgcj_white1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cj_singing.jpgcj_singingThe juncos have been singing on campus since the end of January.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cj_ground3.jpgcj_ground3Her mate also sat in the grass.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cj_ground2.jpgcj_ground2...but she then sat in the grass and watched me suspiciously.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cj_ground.jpgcj_groundI am not sure what this female was doing...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cj_flight.jpgcj_flighthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cj_fem2.jpgcj_fem22013-02-19T04:55:23+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/02/07/how-do-geckos-stick/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/stick_sigma.jpgstick_SigmaSigma is sticking by the power of tiny intermolecular interactions. He's basically using the Force.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/stick_lex.jpgstick_LexLex can stick and you can't. Nah nah.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/stick_ember2.jpgstick_Ember2Ember curling his toes away from the surface in order to unstick.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/stick_ember1.jpgstick_Ember1Emberhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/tokay_jude_adamson_cr.jpgtokay_Jude_Adamson_crTokay gecko. Photo by Jude Adamsonhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/glider_doug_beckers_cr.jpgglider_Doug_Beckers_crThe feathertail glider, a small maruspial, probably uses capillary adhesion to stick to surfaces. Photo by Doug Beckershttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/stick_oct3.jpgstick_Oct3My qualifications for vouching that their toes are not sticky.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/stick_oct2.jpgstick_Oct2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/stick_oct1.jpgstick_Oct1October, with an egg carton2014-05-22T07:52:07+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/02/05/color-bands-check/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/bands2.jpgbands2I think this is the least dignified photo of Limpet I have ever takenhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/bands1.jpgbands12013-02-06T18:05:43+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/01/31/if-you-meet-a-time-traveling-ancient-egyptian-talk-about-birds/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/vulture2.jpgvulture2Vulture amulet, representing Nekhbet. OIM 11109. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/snake.jpgsnakeCoffin for a small snake. OIM 11189. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ibis.jpgibisIbis amulet. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/falcon.jpgfalconWood falcon (Horus) sculpture, circa 945 B.C.E. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/d-017981-e17972_002.jpgD. 017981-E17972_002Barn Owl sculpture. Owls were unusual in Egyptian art for being depicted face-on instead of in profile. Photo Anna Ressman. Courtesy of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/d-017937-e10557_001_front.jpgD. 017937-E10557_001_FrontNekhbet again, with the goddess Wadjet, a cobra. Photo by Anna Ressman. Courtesy of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/d-017936-e10555_001.jpgD. 017936-E10555_001House Martin sculpted hieroglyph. Photo by Anna Ressman. Courtesy of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/d-017892-e150a_003_top_3qtr.jpgE150AMummified and gilded eagle. Photo by Anna Ressman. Courtesy of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/croc.jpgcrocMummified crocodile, for Sobek. OIM 701. Photo by M. LaBarbera2016-02-18T17:30:35+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/01/28/statistics-not-lying-is-harder-than-you-think/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/stats_redfish.jpgstats_redfishMy nightmare is to be eaten by a bigger fish. But sure, worry about putting the wrong numbers on a piece of paper.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/stats_fish.jpgstats_fishI bet you did something wrong too.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/stats_abbe.jpgstats_ABBEExcuse me, I generate only AWESOME data.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/gamm4_width_year.jpggamm4_width_yearThis version makes it look like maybe there's a slight increase with time.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/gam_width_year2.jpggam_width_year2This version is wiggly!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/gam_width_year.jpggam_width_yearThis version is super wiggly!2013-02-25T19:32:19+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/01/25/three-specimens/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/specis_spotsw.jpgspecis_spotswhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/specis_spots.jpgspecis_spotsThis male has lovely red-brown spots on his head.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/specis_oldtag.jpgspecis_oldtag...really old: the tag reads "Apr. 13, 1862." That's the oldest specimen I've measured by several decades.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/specis_old.jpgspecis_oldThis female - the ratty one with the light grey hood, whose tag is touching the side of the tray - is...2013-09-16T02:49:49+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/01/22/think-like-a-scientist-levels-of-analysis/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sj6.jpgs+j6You wouldn't need helmets if you could bend your neck sideways and turn your head almost all the way around, like us! [Note: the lovebirds clearly do not understand the function of helmets. Ignore them.]https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sj5.jpgs+j5Jesse is totally checking out that blue butt.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sj4.jpgs+j4You wish your butt was this pretty.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sj3.jpgs+j3Haha.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sj2.jpgs+j2See? When Jesse leaves Sam alone, she starts checking out other birds!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sj1.jpgs+j1Jesse and Sam pause in their destruction of a picture frame to wonder what business it is of yours how they spend their time.2013-02-01T19:29:54+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/01/16/sounds-and-video-from-cornells-macauley-library/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/oilbird_dominic_sherony.jpgoilbird_Dominic_SheronyOilbird. Photo by Dominic Sherony2013-04-05T23:47:57+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/01/14/the-perils-of-searching-the-literature/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lit_slug.jpglit_slugWe may be sea slugs but we fully support our terrestrial brethren's attacks on the vertebrates. Eat them while they are young, slimy brothers, lest they grow up to eat you!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lit_fish.jpglit_fishJudgmental fish thinks you will definitely forget what that file name means.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lit_limpet.jpglit_limpetLimpet thinks you should stop reading fascinating irrelevant papers and get back to work.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lit_leopard.jpglit_leopardLeopards do not go to the library.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lit_geese.jpglit_geeseIf each one of these geese could read and summarize 20 papers for me…2013-01-16T13:25:24+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/12/20/happy-holidays/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hh_tern.jpghh_ternhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hh_snowyowl2.jpghh_snowyowl2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hh_snowyowl1.jpghh_snowyowl1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hh_raptor.jpghh_raptorhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hh_puffin.jpghh_puffinhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hh_ptarmigan.jpghh_ptarmiganhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hh_peregrine.jpghh_peregrinehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hh_minipenguin.jpghh_minipenguinhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hh_goose.jpghh_goosehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/hh_duck.jpghh_duck2013-01-11T21:17:47+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2013/01/11/why-i-dont-collect/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/collect_specs.jpgcollect_specsDark-eyed Junco specimens that I have measuredhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/gael1.jpgGAELI'm sure GAEL appreciates my no-collecting policy2013-01-14T06:41:36+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/12/17/featured-paper-the-heartbeats-of-fighting-penguins/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/penguins2.jpgpenguins2King Penguin mini-conference at the colony. Photo by Liam Quinn.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/penguins.jpgpenguinsKing Penguin colony. Photo by Liam Quinn.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/penguin.jpgpenguinStress!!! Photo by Liam Quinn.2012-12-31T01:07:36+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/12/06/what-a-phd-means/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/phd_lex.jpgPhD_LexI think that moistening one's eyes by licking them is better than using eyelids.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/phd_ember.jpgPhD_EmberThe ivory tower elitist PhDs are in a conspiracy of lies to make the public continue to give them research money, and I believe this because the guy who told me has a PhD, so you know he's smart and honest!2012-12-10T22:19:11+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/11/29/the-other-juncos/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/specs_weird.jpgspecs_weirdThe square, lopsided face of a junco specimen. Science isn't always cute.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/specs_tie.jpgspecs_tiehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/specs_tags.jpgspecs_tagsSpecimen tags for birds from 1911. The collector was "J. Grinnell," which, if you're a museum nerd, will be fantastically exciting to you.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/specs_many.jpgspecs_manyThe other juncoshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/specs_few.jpgspecs_fewhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/specs_bill2.jpgspecs_bill2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/specs_bill.jpgspecs_bill2012-12-10T00:31:45+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/07/31/giant-nest-update-unhatched-eggs-new-nests/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/nest2.jpgnest2Find the chicks... (hint: look for the yellow of the bill).https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/nest2_rarr2.jpgnest2_RARR2RARR got very puffy, although it wasn't cold out. This may be a stress response.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/nest2_rarr.jpgnest2_RARRRARRhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/nest1_2chicks2.jpgnest1_2chicks2The third larger chick (right) and the runt. Note how the larger chick has more pinfeathers. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/nest1_2chicks.jpgnest1_2chicksYou can't see me if I hide my head... Two of the larger chicks, probably five days old. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/nest1_junco.jpgnest1_juncoOne parent heading for nest #1 - that dark cave under the rockhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/nest1_chicks2.jpgnest1_chicks2Four nestlings from nest #1. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/nest1_chicks1.jpgnest1_chicks1New nestlings! Read on for more. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/nest1_chick4.jpgnest1_chick4This chick weighed 3.3 grams. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/nest1_chick3.jpgnest1_chick33.2 grams. Photo by M. LaBarbera.2014-06-10T16:30:32+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/11/21/featured-paper-turkeys-help-their-relatives-get-lucky/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/turkeys3.jpgturkeys3[Photo from Smart Kitchen]https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/turkeys.jpgturkeysSo if you win, I kind of win too? Whoa... [Photo by pverdonk]https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/turkey_ember.jpgturkey_EmberMmm delicious babies...2012-11-22T17:07:00+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/11/20/this-is-fun-is-fun-the-right-word/2012-12-11T03:28:32+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/11/19/junco-withdrawal/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/jw_wiwa.jpgjw_WIWATiny, angry Wilson's Warblerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/jw_stella.jpgjw_StellaNot bycatch, but a bird encounter anyway: Stella the confused fledgling Stellar's Jayhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/jw_nola.jpgjw_NOLANOLAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/jw_mira2.jpgjw_MIRA2MIRAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/jw_mira.jpgjw_MIRAMIRA againhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/jw_fosp.jpgjw_FOSPStocky Fox Sparrowhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/jw_eggs.jpgjw_eggsnesthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/jw_chicks.jpgjw_chicksJunco chickshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/jw_chick.jpgjw_chickDon't look at me2012-11-20T18:52:15+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/11/16/think-like-a-scientist-clever-hans/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/hans_math.jpghans_mathExtremely historically accurate depiction of clever Hans doing math2013-09-17T09:16:31+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/11/13/kinky-kakapo-lyrical-lyrebird-moonwalking-manakin/2012-12-25T06:28:30+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/11/08/adventure-of-a-freelance-science-mouse/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/oreo11.jpgOreo11Not interestedhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/oreo9.jpgOreo9I step on your peanut butter!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/oreo10.jpgOreo10Eating after allhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/oreo8.jpgOreo8Itchy, not hungryhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/oreo7.jpgOreo7Don't you want some peanut butter?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/oreo6.jpgOreo6Starting to get annoyed about the masking tapehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/oreo5.jpgOreo5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/oreo4.jpgOreo4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/oreo3.jpgOreo3Investigating the climbing thinghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/oreo2.jpgOreo22017-09-02T04:23:00+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/11/04/rituals/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/rit_limpet2.jpgrit_Limpet2What it feels like to get a granthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/rit_limpet.jpgrit_LimpetHow I picture the reviewers as they read my proposalhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/rit_chicks.jpgrit_chicksThis is what I imagine we seem like to NSF2012-11-05T23:41:18+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/10/31/scary-birds/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/loggerhead-shrike.jpgLoggerhead-ShrikeLoggerhead Shrike. Photo by Jeff Jones.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/shrikes_grasshopper.jpgLoggerhead Shrike's grasshopper impaled on barbed wireImpaled grasshopper. Photo from otterside.com.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/shrike-impaling-dunnock.jpgShrike-impaling-dunnockGreat Grey Shrike with impaled prey, a Dunnock. Photo by Glenn Vermeersch.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/northern_shrikepine_siskin.jpgnorthern_shrike+pine_siskinNorthern Shrike with a Pine Siskin. Photo by Charles Makarewich.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/hooded_pitohui2.jpghooded_pitohui2Hooded Pitohui: my nomination for Official Bird of Halloween 2012. Yeah, that's not a real thing. Photo by John Dumbacher.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/male-southern-cassowarychick.jpgMale-southern-cassowary+chickMale Southern Cassowary and chick. Stop thinking it's cute—it's deadly! Deadly!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/hooded_pitohui.jpgHooded Pitohui Bird of New Guinea has poisonous plumage. John Dumbacher photoHooded Pitohui. Photo by John Dumbacher.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/scary_herontadpole2.jpgscary_heron+tadpole2Tadpole gore. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/scary_herontadpole1.jpgscary_heron+tadpole1Green Heron with a tadpole. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/scary_heronfrog2.jpgscary_heron+frog2Green Heron with a frog. Photo by M. LaBarbera.2021-04-28T12:22:41+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/10/30/think-like-a-scientist-correlation/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/corr_mice_sm.jpgcorr_mice_smMouse bootshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/corr_chicks.jpgcorr_chicksIs the lower one smaller because he's younger, or younger because he's smaller? Correlation doesn't know.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/corr_alge.jpgcorr_ALGEALGE's hood looks dark to me…https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/corr_alge_tail.jpgcorr_ALGE_tail…and he has a pretty good amount of white in his tail. I bet he has a high rank in his winter flock now.2016-09-19T15:16:14+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/10/25/featured-paper-side-blotched-lizards-play-rock-paper-scissors/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lizards.pnglizardsTerrible, terrible drawing of lizards playing rock-paper-scissors2012-10-26T06:10:15+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/10/22/non-birds-of-the-field-iii-herps/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/herps_snake3.jpgherps_snake3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/herps_snake1.jpgherps_snake1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/herps_snake.jpgherps_snakeHide!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/herps_lizard3.jpgherps_lizard3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/herps_lizard2.jpgherps_lizard2Rawrr!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/herps_lizard1.jpgherps_lizard1Pretty sure this is me he's bitinghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/herps_frog3.jpgherps_frog3Outta herehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/herps_frog2.jpgherps_frog2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/herps_frog1.jpgherps_frog1Tiny tree frog2012-10-23T21:46:39+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/10/20/blood-secrets/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blood_gray2.jpgblood_GRAY2I'm looking at your genetics, GRAY. Photo by M. LaBarberahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/blood_gray.jpgblood_GRAYMe collecting blood from GRAY. The blood moves up the tiny capillary tube on its own. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/gm3.jpgGM3What?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/gm2.jpgGM2"No sizing data." Oops.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/gm1.jpgGM1Pretty good genotyping data (viewed on GeneMapper 4.0).2013-07-25T18:00:00+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/10/18/awesome-bird-of-paradise-footage/2012-10-19T21:41:27+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/10/16/happy-birthday-little-mouse/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lm_wheel8.jpgLM_wheel8https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lm_wheel7.jpgLM_wheel7https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lm_wheel5.jpgLM_wheel5Look, three paws!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lm_wheel4.jpgLM_wheel4https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lm_wheel3.jpgLM_wheel3...but this is better!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lm_wheel2.jpgLM_wheel2I can run the normal way...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lm_wheel1.jpgLM_wheel1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lm_everybody.jpgLM_everybodyClockwise from left: Pie, Butter Pecan, Oreo, Garlic Jack/Little Mouse, Bagel.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lm_climb7.jpgLM_climb7No big deal. Sometimes she does this dozens of times in an hour.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lm_climb6.jpgLM_climb62012-10-17T17:52:20+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/10/12/one-eye-roya-pirate-mom/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/royas_chick.jpgROYAs_chickROYA's young fledglinghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/roya.jpgROYAROYA2012-10-12T20:32:59+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/10/06/october-in-the-mountains/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct_wcsp.jpgOct_WCSPI did see at least 20 of these guys, though. White-crowned Sparrows everywhere! Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct_sosa.jpgOct_SOSASOSA, photographed on his territory earlier this year, was nowhere to be found. Photo by M. LaBarbera.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/oct_elea.jpgOct_ELEAELEA way back on May 18th.2012-12-25T01:51:12+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/09/29/non-birds-of-the-field-ii-mammals/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mammals_pikastretch.jpgmammals_pikastretchStretchy pikahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mammals_pikaleap.jpgmammals_pikaleapSuperpika!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mammals_pikababy.jpgmammals_pikababyBaby pika?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mammals_pika.jpgmammals_pikaAnxious pikahttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mammals_marmot2.jpgmammals_marmot2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mammals_marmot.jpgmammals_marmothttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mammals_deer2.jpgmammals_deer2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mammals_deer.jpgmammals_deerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mammals_chickareetail.jpgmammals_chickareetailhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mammals_chickarees.jpgmammals_chickareesA chickaree dispute2012-10-18T00:22:38+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/09/25/what-the-chickadees-are-saying-behind-your-back/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/chick-a-dee2.jpgchick-a-dee2[Another Mountain Chickadee. Sorry.]https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/chick-a-dee1.jpgchick-a-dee1Don't you know who I am? I'm Chick-a-dee-dee! [A Mountain Chickadee, not a black-cap, but I don't have any photos of black-caps.]2012-09-27T22:13:21+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/09/21/white-gloves-strange-rooms/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/skins.jpgskinsJunco specimen skins in the Museum's collection2012-09-21T22:18:38+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/09/18/field-assistants-make-the-world-go-round/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ppl_mejennifer.jpgppl_me+JenniferJennifer recording data as I measure SSOAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ppl_me_wounded.jpgppl_me_woundedMy totally unimpressive field injuryhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ppl_juncomobile.jpgppl_juncomobilehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ppl_jennifersosp.jpgppl_Jennifer+SOSPJennifer with a Song Sparrowhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ppl_jenniferrobin.jpgppl_Jennifer+robinJennifer with an American Robinhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ppl_jenniferlizard.jpgppl_Jennifer+lizardJennifer with an alligator lizardhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ppl_hillarysnake2.jpgppl_Hillary+snake2Hillary with a gopher snakehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ppl_hillarysnake.jpgppl_Hillary+snakeBirds, Hillary! You're supposed to be thinking about birds!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ppl_hillaryrobin.jpgppl_Hillary+robinHillary with an American Robin, one of her favorite birdshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ppl_dad_marmot.jpgppl_Dad_marmotLeaping marmot butt. Photo by M. LaBarbera2012-09-20T03:43:54+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/09/14/molting-mania/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/molt_yaiy2.jpgmolt_YAIY2YAIY molting his entire tail - usually it's advised to retain the old feathers until the new ones have started coming in, YAIY!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/molt_yaiy.jpgmolt_YAIYYAIY with a really nice sequence of new feathers growing inhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/molt_nloa3.jpgmolt_NLOA3Top view of NLOA's winghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/molt_nloa.jpgmolt_NLOANLOA moltinghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/molt_alge2.jpgmolt_ALGE2ALGE growing in new tail feathers toohttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/molt_alge.jpgmolt_ALGEALGE molting his primary feathers2012-09-14T18:18:16+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/09/05/bycatch-catch-up/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/catchup_yellowrumps.jpgcatchup_yellowrumpsI assume you've captured me and my lovely wife in order to get the secret of flight out of me...?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/catchup_yellowrump3.jpgcatchup_yellowrump3That's how you flyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/catchup_yellowrump2.jpgcatchup_yellowrump2This is the downstrokehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/catchup_yellowrump.jpgcatchup_yellowrumpThis is the upstrokehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/catchup_wcsp3.jpgcatchup_WCSP3And this one shows off my sexy backhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/catchup_wcsp2.jpgcatchup_WCSP2Although I look more athletic in this onehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/catchup_wcsp.jpgcatchup_WCSPThis is my Vanity Fair cover shothttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/catchup_robin2.jpgcatchup_robin2Uh-oh. Time to transform into my alter-ego...https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/catchup_robin.jpgcatchup_robin...Super Zombie Robin!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/catchup_nuthatch3.jpgcatchup_nuthatch3Whatever. I wasn't really trying.2012-09-06T00:30:58+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/09/03/last-chick-of-the-season/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/airy_2.jpgAIRY_2AIRYhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/airy_1.jpgAIRY_1AIRYhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/snae.jpgSNAESNAE. I photograph all the juncos I catch from several angles like this; the color standard card you see in the background lets me compare colors among pictures, to look at color differences among the juncos.2013-02-19T04:46:33+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/09/01/fledglings/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/abbejennifer.jpgABBE+JenniferJennifer holding ABBEhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/abbe.jpgABBEABBEhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/oora3.jpgOORA3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/oora21.jpgOORA2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/oora1.jpgOORAOORAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/oora_mites.jpgOORA_mitesLittle grey dots on the wing feathers are feather mites.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/boar1.jpgBOARhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/boar2.jpgBOAR2BOAR2012-09-05T17:49:16+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/08/30/why-birds-dont-need-gps/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/gulls_navigation.jpggulls_navigationThey know where they're going2012-09-05T23:31:18+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/08/29/a-conference-a-love-story/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/chickadee_tit.jpgchickadee_titBlue Tits and Great Tits look a bit like this Mountain Chickadee, except more colorfulhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/nuthatch_derisive.jpgnuthatch_derisiveRed-breasted Nuthatch: such a small bird for that big noise.2012-09-03T07:49:28+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/08/11/jerk-juncos/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/gael2.jpgGAEL2GAEL ignoring us2012-08-05T07:41:54+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/08/09/featured-paper-barn-owl-chicks-spots/2012-08-05T07:35:52+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/08/07/baby-gecko-update-2/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/geckos_october2.jpggeckos_October2October againhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/geckos_october.jpggeckos_OctoberOctoberhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/geckos_may2.jpggeckos_May2May's way-too-big eye. She also lost some toes in a bad shed.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/geckos_may1.jpggeckos_May1May looking not too bad, just skinny—but note the enlarged left eye.2018-04-07T17:25:12+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/08/05/ragged-roar/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/roar2.jpgROAR2ROAR's tail. A full junco tail has 12 feathers. Note the feathers that are growing back.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/roar.jpgROARROAR is missing some feathers on the top of his head.2012-08-05T13:11:54+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/08/02/bury-your-baby-in-a-pile-of-trash-and-other-chick-rearing-tips/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/nest1_chicks3.jpgnest1_chicks3Junco chicks are altricial and nidicolous. So are human babies.2012-08-02T17:54:07+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/07/30/speeding-kills-bears/2012-07-31T18:55:42+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/07/22/5-bad-but-good-things-about-field-work/2012-07-27T23:55:58+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/30/nests-and-eggs/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ub_nest2.jpgUB_nest2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ub_nest1.jpgUB_nest1Second nesthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ollas_nest2.jpgOLLA's_nest2See the nest?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ollas_nest1.jpgOLLA's_nest1There it is.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/olla2.jpgOLLA2Mom OLLAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/alge.jpgALGEMaybe-dad ALGE2012-07-19T05:41:43+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/07/08/nest-update-ollas-chicks/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/mayo11.jpgMAYO1MAYO with her nestling punk hairdohttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/yaynbaby2.jpgYAYN+BABY2Escape!!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/yaynbaby.jpgYAYN+BABYYAYN (left) and BABY, in my hathttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/baby_butt.jpgbaby_buttNestling butt! Note the stubby wings and barely-existent tail. But also note that the tail already has a dark middle with white outer feathers!2012-07-19T05:41:19+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/07/20/nest-update-ollas-fledglings/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/chick_fledged.jpgchick_fledgedYAYN or BABY, from before she fledged.2012-07-19T05:39:58+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/03/sleeping-birds-waking-birds/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/elea_6.jpgELEA_62016-11-29T23:35:55+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/11/featured-paper-chicks-get-chomped/2012-07-18T04:33:39+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/17/cute-6/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/chipmunk.jpgchipmunkhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mouse_in_nestbox.jpgmouse_in_nestbox2012-07-18T04:32:39+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/19/auxiliary-marking-permit-all-set/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/rroa_bands1.jpgRROA_bandshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/rroa_bands.jpgRROA_bands2012-07-18T04:32:06+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/20/how-to-make-a-house-wren/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/fledged.jpgfledgedFledged!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/chick_day9.jpgchick_day9Eight days old: breaking pins*https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/chicks_day2.jpgchicks_day2One day old: still transparent, but not quite so pinkhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/just_hatched.jpgjust_hatchedLess than 5 minutes old: head fluff still wethttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/eggs.jpgeggsNumbering the eggs is optional2020-06-11T16:31:39+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/22/follow-up-almost-nobody-understands-mirrors/2012-07-18T04:30:11+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/21/juncos-do-not-understand-mirrors/2021-05-02T00:12:08+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/15/legal-and-scrambling/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/img_6727.jpgIMG_6727https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/img_6709.jpgIMG_67092012-07-18T04:28:05+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/14/baby-gecko-update/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/october1.jpgOctober1Octoberhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may2.jpgMay2Mayhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may11.jpgMay1Mayhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mayoctober1.jpgMay+Octoberhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mayoctober_tongue1.jpgMay+October_tonguehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/may1.jpgMay1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mayoctober.jpgMay+Octoberhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mayoctober_tongue.jpgMay+October_tongue2012-07-18T04:27:35+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/09/another-baby-gecko/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/dsc_0246.jpgDSC_0246October in the daytimehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/dsc_0231.jpgDSC_0231May (left) trying to climb up the cage wall, and Octoberhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/dsc_0226.jpgDSC_0226https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/dsc_0223.jpgDSC_0223https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/dsc_0219.jpgDSC_0219Second baby!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/dsc_0209.jpgDSC_0209https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/dsc_0204.jpgDSC_0204October at night2014-07-23T23:41:44+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/07/baby-gecko/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/zenith5.jpgZenith5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/zenith2.jpgZenith2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/img_6967.jpgIMG_6967https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/img_6966.jpgIMG_6966https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/img_6958.jpgIMG_6958https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/img_6957.jpgIMG_6957https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/corusc3.jpgCorusc3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/corusc1.jpgCorusc12018-06-04T17:33:09+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/06/tools-of-the-trade-banding/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/usfw_bands.jpgUSFW_bandshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/leg_gauge.jpgleg_gaugehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/banding_pliers.jpgbanding_pliershttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/band_removal.jpgband_removal2016-02-21T14:02:07+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/24/we-caught-juncos/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ssoa.jpgSSOAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ogag.jpgOGAGhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/elea_5.jpgELEA_5https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/elea_4.jpgELEA_42012-07-18T04:25:40+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/27/bycatch/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/gcki2.jpgGCKI2Male Golden-crowned Kinglethttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/gcki.jpgGCKISo smallhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/yellow-rump2.jpgyellow-rump2Yellow-rumped Warblerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/yellow-rump.jpgyellow-rumpSo brighthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/robin2.jpgrobin2American Robinhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/robin.jpgrobinRobins are bigger than you think they are! And angry.2012-07-18T04:24:30+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/01/a-bird-in-the-hand/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/goal.jpgGOALGOAL with his leg bandshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/massing.jpgmassinghttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/head.jpgheadThe darkness of the head can varyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tail.jpgtail2012-07-18T04:23:03+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/05/eight-angry-juncos/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/salo.jpgSALOSALO2012-07-18T04:18:59+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/07/angry-bycatch/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/sosp.jpgSOSPLet go of mehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/creeper2.jpgcreeper2Stop looking at mehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/creeper.jpgcreeperI hate youhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/chickadee4.jpgchickadee4I warned youhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/chickadee3.jpgchickadee3Mountain Chickadeehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/chickadee2.jpgchickadee2I am using the power of flight to bite even harderhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/chickadee.jpgchickadeeI can do this all day!2012-07-18T04:17:58+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/09/snag/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/snag.jpgSNAGSNAG2012-07-18T04:16:40+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/11/lagg/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/lagg_3.jpgLAGG_3LAGGhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/lagg.jpgLAGGSo handsome!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/lagg_2.jpgLAGG_2LAGG2012-07-18T04:16:17+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/12/brood-patches-birds-bare-their-midriffs/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/wcsp_broodpatch.jpgWCSP_broodpatchWhite-crowned sparrow with a brood patchhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/olla_broodpatch.jpgOLLA_broodpatchOLLA's brood patch2013-10-19T02:34:03+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/15/assorted-bycatch/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/nuthatch1.jpgnuthatch1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/wcspcharles.jpgWCSP+CharlesCharles with a female White-crowned Sparrowhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/wcsp.jpgWCSPhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/nuthatchme.jpgnuthatch+meMe with a Red-breasted Nuthatchhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/nuthatch_bp.jpgnuthatch_BPThe nuthatch had a brood patch!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/fox_sparrow2.jpgfox_sparrow2Anthony with... can you guess? We had to look this guy up.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/fox_sparrow.jpgfox_sparrowA thick-billed Fox Sparrow!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2yellow-rumps_3.jpg2yellow-rumps_3Two male Yellow-rumped Warblers who flew into the net together.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2yellow-rumps_2.jpg2yellow-rumps_2I will get free!2012-07-18T04:14:15+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/14/junco-induced-bipolarity/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/2_yellowrumps.jpg2_yellowrumps2012-07-18T04:12:46+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/17/golden-bycatch/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/weta4.jpgWETA4Look at that head!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/weta3.jpgWETA3A female Western Tanager!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/weta2.jpgWETA2I was going to take in her in a bander's grip; she preferred to bite mehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/weta.jpgWETAAnthony getting his just deserts2012-07-18T04:12:07+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/19/hoping-for-no-more-than-moderate-success/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/eeea.jpgEEEAWhat's on my legs?2012-07-18T04:11:21+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/21/surprisssssse/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/snakeme.jpgsnake+mehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/snake.jpgsnake2013-03-28T01:34:46+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/24/lola/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/lola.jpgLOLALOLA2012-07-18T04:10:16+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/06/26/eyes/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/dsc_0949.jpgDSC_0949https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/dsc_0905.jpgDSC_0905https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/dsc_0869.jpgDSC_0869https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/dsc_0790.jpgDSC_0790https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/dsc_0729.jpgDSC_0729https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/dsc_0725.jpgDSC_0725https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/dsc_0596_21.jpgDSC_0596_2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/dsc_0456.jpgDSC_04562012-07-18T04:09:59+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/07/04/soma-mani-nola-funny-colored-juncos/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/nola2.jpgNOLA2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/nola1.jpgNOLA1NOLAhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/mani2.jpgMANI2Stop looking, you're embarrassing mehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/mani1.jpgMANI1MANIhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/soma1.jpgSOMA1SOMA2012-09-24T19:22:57+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/07/06/wheres-the-research/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/tail_samm.jpgtail_SAMMTail white patch variation among juncos. Compare the amount of white on the third feather from the right of SAMM's tail…https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/tail_ames.jpgtail_AMES…to that on AMES's tail.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/brcr.jpgBRCRGo away! I am not a PhD!2012-07-18T04:07:46+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/07/12/the-happy-couple-er-trio/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/mais.jpgMAISMAIS: this slouch is irresistible to the ladies.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/magg.jpgMAGGMAGG. I think the greys and browns in her hood are very pretty.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/magg_bp.jpgMAGG_BPMAGG's brood patchhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/abby.jpgABBYABBYhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/abby_bp.jpgABBY_BPABBY's brood patch2012-07-18T04:06:05+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/07/14/disheveled-bycatch/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/yellow-rump4.jpgyellow-rump4And it's you.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/yellow-rump3.jpgyellow-rump3It's me.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/yellow-rump2.jpgyellow-rump2Ready…https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/yellow-rump1.jpgyellow-rump1Escape!!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/swth4.jpgSWTH4Writhe in agony at my attack!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/swth3.jpgSWTH3Humph.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/swth2.jpgSWTH2And your mother!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/swth1.jpgSWTH1Curses upon you!!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/flycatcher2.jpgflycatcher2Look how cute these whiskers are. You should probably just let me go.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/flycatcher.jpgflycatcherI'm really cute.2012-07-18T04:04:36+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/07/16/primary-colored-bycatch/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/wiwa4.jpgWIWA4Don't think that just because you're 10,000 times bigger than me, you're safe. This yellow is warning coloration.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/wiwa3.jpgWIWA3Yeah, and I'm watching you. Real close. Don't make me…https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/wiwa2.jpgWIWA2Too late! You asked for it! INTERPRETIVE DANCE ATTACK!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/wiwa1.jpgWIWA1Didn't you hear me? I'm dangerous!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/cafi3.jpgCAFI3I don't understand…https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/cafi2.jpgCAFI2What's happening? [with Hillary]https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/cafi1.jpgCAFI1This is probably the right response.2012-07-18T04:02:55+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/17/ready-or-not-here-we-come/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/img_7073.jpgIMG_70732012-05-17T17:19:56+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/12/found-juncos/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/woodpecker.jpgwoodpeckerWhite-headed Woodpecker says, "Good! That's the whole point of bothering to hollow out a hole to nest in."https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/stellars_jay.jpgstellars_jayStellars Jay. Common and noisy, but still handsome.https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/plague.jpgplaguehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/juncos_utica.jpgjuncos_uticaFemale (top) and male juncohttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/juncos_fraserflat.jpgjuncos_fraserflatTwo more!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/junco_utica.jpgjunco_uticaJunco with snowhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/junco_fraserflat.jpgjunco_fraserflathttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chickadee.jpgchickadeeMountain Chickadee2012-05-11T22:55:16+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/10/scouting-again/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/limpetmap.jpgLimpet+mapLimpet helping me plan.2012-05-11T19:39:26+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/04/cattle-egret-says-thanks/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/cattle_egret2.jpgcattle_egret2you put your right foot in… wait, is that right?https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/cattle_egret1.jpgcattle_egret12012-05-04T20:57:54+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/02/scouting-stanislaus-part-iii/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pines2_spotted.jpgPines2_spottedSpotted Towhee announcing himselfhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pines2_spiderwebs.jpgPines2_spiderwebshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pines2_spiderweb.jpgPines2_spiderwebhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pines2_quail.jpgPines2_quailMale (left) and female California Quailhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pines2_frost.jpgPines2_frosthttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pines2_flicker.jpgPines2_flickerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pines2_chippingsparrow.jpgPines2_chippingsparrowImpressionistic Chipping Sparrow2012-05-03T23:12:35+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/29/scouting-stanislaus-part-ii/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/southfork_squirrel.jpgSouthfork_squirrelhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/southfork_scenery3.jpgSouthfork_scenery3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/southfork_scenery2.jpgSouthfork_scenery2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/southfork_scenery1.jpgSouthfork_scenery1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/southfork_river.jpgSouthfork_riverhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/southfork_me.jpgSouthfork_mehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/southfork_flower.jpgSouthfork_flowerhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/southfork_fingerflowers.jpgSouthfork_fingerflowers2012-05-03T23:11:27+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/27/scouting-stanislaus-part-i/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pines_scorpion2.jpgPines_scorpion2Aaah!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pines_scorpion1.jpgPines_scorpion1https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pines_scenery3.jpgPines_scenery3https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pines_scenery2.jpgPines_scenery2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pines_scenery1.jpgPines_scenery1There will be so many juncos here!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pines_oakleaves.jpgPines_oakleaveshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pines_hawk.jpgPines_hawkFlee the ornithologist!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pines_frog.jpgPines_frogThis is MY small smelly room full of insects!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pines_bluebird.jpgPines_bluebirdMale Western Bluebird2012-05-03T23:10:50+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/25/fitting-a-bird-shaped-peg-through-a-tiny-hole/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/laughing_gulls.jpglaughing_gullsLong, narrow wings of Laughing Gullshttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/malenkiy_wing.jpgMalenkiy_wingShort, rounded wing of a House Wren2012-05-03T23:08:25+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/23/angry-birds/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/angry_egret21.jpgAngry_Egret2https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/angry_egret11.jpgAngry_Egret1Aggressive raised crest feathers!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/angry_egret_big1.jpgAngry_Egret_bigSnowy Egret (left) flying towards intruder (right)2012-05-03T23:07:28+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/21/nestcams/2014-05-08T17:47:18+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/03/where-were-the-juncos/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/frog.jpgfrogI'm here now, research me!2012-05-03T18:16:11+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/05/01/the-scifund-challenge-begins/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/img_6728.jpgIMG_67282012-05-03T18:13:07+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/30/scouting-sierra-or-not/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pines2_sheep.jpgPines2_sheepThe ovine breeding stage scientifically known as the "adorable" stagehttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pines2_rabbit.jpgPines2_rabbitPlease don't pull over to look at me2012-04-30T21:00:46+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/24/field-season-2012-starts-now/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/marmot.jpgmarmot2012-04-24T18:46:36+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/22/hatching-red-tailed-hawks/2012-04-22T19:36:59+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/16/why-you-should-follow-this-blog/2012-04-19T20:34:33+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/18/so-whats-up-with-the-title-of-this-blog-anyway-2/2012-04-18T21:34:47+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/15/hello-world/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/me.jpgmeMe!https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/img_6709.jpgIMG_6709What I study - the Oregon form of the Dark-eyed Junco2012-04-17T18:20:10+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/2012/04/16/where-the-project-is-now-2-2/https://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/bear_small.jpgbear_smallhttps://toughlittlebirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/bear.jpgbear2012-04-16T22:37:43+00:00monthlyhttps://toughlittlebirds.comdaily1.02022-06-29T18:03:26+00:00