SARS spurs China to act on AIDS Aug 14, 2009
Galapagos finches could be among the first casualties of mosquitoes found stowing away on aircraft, potentially bringing fatal viruses to the islands. 18:47 10 August 2009 - updated 14:54 11 August 2009. (Yahoo News -- SARS)
American goldfinch ” little drops of sunshine to brighten your day Aug 14, 2009
But the perky yellow American goldfinches with their jaunty black caps and black and white wings, catch the eye immediately ... Goldfinches often stay year-round but will also migrate from some areas from early October to mid-November ... The goldfinches are among the few songbirds that are almost entirely vegetarian. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Men Seek Probation In Bird-fighting Ring Aug 12, 2009
Most of the birds are saffron finches, and a few are canaries. The defendants, all natives of Brazil, are charged with cruelty to animals and gambling. (FOX61, CT)
'Alien' Mosquitoes Threaten Galapagos Ecosystem Aug 12, 2009
Many of these will carry diseases such as avian malaria or West Nile fever, with potentially devastating consequences for the native species, including Galpagos tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions and Darwin s finches. The animals have evolved in the absence of these diseases so they have virtually no resistance, said Simon Goodman, a geneticist from the University of Leeds who led the research. (Fox News)
Police: Fighting Birds Had Sharpened Beaks Aug 9, 2009
(AP) - Police say some saffron finches seized in an alleged bird fighting ring in Connecticut had sharpened beaks and at least one had a sharp metal object attached. Investigators said in an arrest affidavit unsealed Thursday that they found superglue, antibiotics, skin and blood supplements, a mini digital scale and other unknown powders that are being tested. (FOX61, CT)
A visit to Gold Ridge Aug 9, 2009
A special treat, for me at least, was the sighting of a small flock of juvenile, gray-crowned rosy finches. I'd heard rumors that this bird nests somewhere up here, but this was my first encounter with them on the ridge. (Juneau Empire)
A business for the birds Aug 9, 2009
He said there is a pair of golf finches that have pretty much moved into his backyard and sometimes as many as eight hummingbirds flitting around. It s a safe haven for the feathered creatures. (Rio Rancho Observer, NM)
Jam-packed shelters Aug 8, 2009
For half-price, the y can pair you with rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, finches, ferrets and other small critters. The rabbit fee includes spaying or neutering, and the ferret fee includes a rabies shot. (The Palm Beach Post)
Incentives needed to gain access to favorite birds Aug 7, 2009
Goldfinches and titmice go for it, too ... Remove the perches and you ve further selected only those birds capable of clinging finches, chickadees, titmice and woodpeckers ... Add vertical perches to tube thistle (nyjer) feeders and you ll limit accessibility primarily to the goldfinches. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
Learning by Imprinting Aug 5, 2009
For example, male zebra finches reared by female birds of another species, preferred mates with the appearance of the female who raised them rather than females of their own species. Imprinting is what behaviorists categorize as phase-sensitive social learning because it occurs at a particular age or life stage. (Suite101.com)
Man pursues cruel ‘sports' Aug 5, 2009
If you are going to fight finches, it's best if your spouse isn't a canary ... Authorities say they confiscated $8,000 and 150 birds, mostly saffron finches ... Two types of finches visit feeders in my yard: House finches and American goldfinches. (Herald Online, SC -- Opinion)
Bird sightings Aug 5, 2009
Participants saw 7 Canada geese, 3 American black ducks, 5 common eiders, 1 surf scoter, 6 white-winged scoter, 5 black scoters, 1 red-breasted merganser, 1 Wilson s storm-petrel, 150 double-crested cormorants, 3 great blue herons, 6 great egrets, 12 snowy egrets, 1 black-crowned night-heron, 1 osprey, 15 black-bellied plovers, 20 semipalmated plovers, 2 piping plovers, 8 American oystercatchers, 30 greater yellowlegs, 20 willets, 20 lesser yellowlegs, 2 whimbrels, 2 Hudsonian godwits, 2 red... (Boston Globe)
Loretta LaRoche: Squirrels should be running this country Aug 4, 2009
On any given day, my yard is visited by hummingbirds, cardinals, finches, an occasional woodpecker, bees and butterflies. I often see chipmunks scurrying about, and I know there s a skunk somewhere because every once in a while he lets loose with a fragrance with which we are all familiar. (Medfield Press, MA)
Photos by You Aug 4, 2009
Lori Atilano of Dover said she captured this photo of these finches at the bird feeder through her kitchen window. Comments. (Princeton Bureau County Republican, IL)
Dead, Dying Cats Found In Filthy, Trash-Strewn Home Aug 3, 2009
The cats, kittens and eight finches were taken to the Everett Animal Shelter. No arrests have been made, but an animal cruelty case will be referred to the Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office. (KIRO TV, WA)
WILDLIFE: Study shows too much noise affects diversity of birds Aug 3, 2009
Black-chinned hummingbirds and house finches accounted for 31 percent of the nests at the noisy sites, but less than 3 percent at the quiet sites. Francis said. (North County Times)
Eagles flourish on upper Clark Fork, despite slim pickings Aug 3, 2009
Eagles aren't social birds, so they lack a group term such as "charm" of finches or "siege" of cranes or "cast" of hawks. But so many of them crowd the banks between Opportunity and Garrison, old Alfred could have filmed "The Birds" there with a Montana twist. (Montana Standard, MT)
Eagle rich, fish poor - Balds flourish on upper Clark Fork, despite slim pickings Jul 31, 2009
Eagles aren t social birds, so they lack a group term such as charm of finches or siege of cranes or cast of hawks. But so many of them crowd the banks between Opportunity and Garrison, old Alfred could have filmed The Birds there with a Montana twist. (Missoulian, MT)
Holbrook man charged in Conn. bird fighting ring Jul 30, 2009
Police say they seized $8,000 and 150 canaries and saffron finches that were allegedly being trained for fighting. Authorities closed the road leading to the home while the birds were removed. (Holbrook Sun, MA)
Bird fossils found in Kalaeloa Jul 29, 2009
The fossilized bones discovered so far are those of an extinct hawk, long-legged owl, Hawaiian sea eagle, petrel, two species of crow, Hawaiian finches, Hawaiian honeyeaters, and the moa nalo (a turkey-sized, flightless gooselike duck that was the largest of the native Hawaiian birds). Further work is needed to confirm the identification of each species. (Honolulu Advertiser)
19 Arrested in Conn. Finch-Fighting Ring Jul 29, 2009
Wayne Kasacek, of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, and Shelton police Sgt. Robert Kozlowsky say most of the 150 confiscated birds were saffron finches and that a few were canaries ... Saffron finches are small birds that are native to South America. (13WMAZ.com, GA)
Cops Bust Alleged Finch-Fighting Ring Jul 28, 2009
19 Arrested, 100 Saffron Finches Seized in Conn ... A spokesman said most of the confiscated birds were finches ... Wayne Kasacek, of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, and Shelton police Sgt. Robert Kozlowsky say most of the 150 confiscated birds were saffron finches and that a few were canaries. (CBS News)
Police seize fighting finches, canaries Jul 28, 2009
Police seized cash, canaries, finches and bird cages from a home in Shelton, Connecticut. In addition to the 150 birds -- mainly saffron finches -- police seized their cages and $8,000 in cash from a home in Shelton, said police Sgt. Robert Kozlowsky ... "This is new to us," Kozlowsky told CNN. "Finches are much easier to keep under the radar than roosters because they make less noise and they wouldn't arouse suspicions if someone had a lot of them.". (CNN)
Finch Fighting Ring Busted Jul 28, 2009
Detectives say he and the others were about to gamble at least $8000 on which canaries and finches would survive fights to the death ... The majority of the birds were Saffron Finches. (FOX61, CT)
Songbird competitions at NYC park under scrutiny Jul 27, 2009
The bird singing races at the park have drawn increased scrutiny recently from law enforcement, as federal officials target illegal smuggling of finches from Guyana. Authorities also suspect the men bet on the races, which would be illegal. (AZCentral -- News)
'Bird racing' draws federal scrutiny Jul 27, 2009
NEW YORK -- The two black finches whistled songs at each other in fluttering voices as a group of men crowded around their cages ... Yet the races have drawn increased scrutiny recently from law enforcement, as federal officials target illegal smuggling of finches from Guyana. (Albany Times Union)
Noise pollution negatively affects woodland bird communities, says CU-Boulder study Jul 24, 2009
Francis said house finches and black-chinned hummingbirds produce vocalizations at higher acoustic frequencies than those generated by compressors, which may allow them to communicate above the "industrial rumble" and subsequently nest there, he said. Common in congested urban areas, house finches also are known to sing at higher frequencies in response to urban noise, said Francis ... Higher nesting success at noisy sites by house finches, black-chinned hummingbirds and of other species was due... (EurekAlert!)
Scientists Are Learning More About Big Birds From Feathers Jul 14, 2009
(July 25, 2006) The speed with which adult zebra finches learned a new association task inversely correlates not with the degree of nutritional deprivation experienced early in life, but with the level of. (Mar. (Science Daily)
Match the kind of seed to the kind of bird Jul 11, 2009
Nyjer: finches, pine siskins, chickadees, dark-eyed juncos, redpolls, doves and sparrows. Nectar: hummingbirds, cardinals, thrushes, tanagers, finches. (Florida Today)
Summer wildlife sightings Jul 11, 2009
One can hear fledglings calling to their parents and those of us still maintaining feeders are well aware of noisy families of birds such as tufted titmice, white-breasted nuthatches, blue jays, house finches, downy woodpeckers, and cardinals flocking to feed. The young look big enough to find food on their own but they beg and flutter their wings, pestering their parents to be fed. (Lincoln Journal, MA)
Use incentives to attract your favorite songbirds Jul 10, 2009
"Goldfinches and titmice go for it, too. Lots of birds," said Mel Toellner, whose company, Songbird Essentials in Mexico, Mo ... "Tube feeders without trays also restrict access to small birds. Remove the perches and you've further selected only those birds capable of clinging finches, chickadees, titmice and woodpeckers. Add vertical perches to tube thistle (nyjer) feeders and you'll limit accessibility primarily to the goldfinches.". (The Augusta Chronicle)
Songbirds Reveal How Practice Improves Performance Jul 7, 2009
In a paper being published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences during the week of July 6, the scientists report that as zebra finches fine-tune their songs, the brain initially stores improvements in one brain pathway before transferring this learned information to the motor pathway for long-term storage ... Young zebra finches learn to sing by mimicking their fathers, whose song contains multiple syllables in a particular sequence ... Previous studies with finches have... (Science Daily)
Column: Grackles may cause shutdown of the Feather Inn Jul 2, 2009
Nearly all my customers have specialized diets; the woodpeckers, suet; rose-breasted grosbeaks and cardinals, sunflower seeds; most of the finches, nuthatches, titmice, song sparrows and such, mixed seed. The grackles, however, have evolved to be the consummate survivors of the bird world. (Cassopolis Vigilant, MI)
New song leads to change in gene activity in songbirds Jun 28, 2009
He said that the team used DNA micro array analysis to measure changes in levels of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in the auditory forebrain of finches exposed to a new song, as any surge or drop in the number of mRNAs in brain cells after a stimulus offers clues to how the brain is responding. The researcher said that some genes were up regulated within 30 minutes of exposure to a new song, and those genes included a lot of transcription factors that modulate the activity of other genes. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
Oregon Recreation Report Jun 27, 2009
Last modified: Friday, June 26, 2009 2:38 PM PDT. Make plans for an ocean coho fishing trip. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Evidence Of Memory Seen In Songbird Brain Jun 27, 2009
Using DNA microarray analysis, the researchers measured changes in levels of messenger RNAs in the auditory forebrain of finches exposed to a new song. These mRNAs are templates that allow the cell to translate individual genes into the proteins that do the work of the cells. (Science Daily)
Nod to nature: Artist shares love of wildlife Jun 24, 2009
A cacophony of zebra finches serves as the white-noise background while she paints or weaves pine needles into baskets. "I'm a wildlife and nature enthusiast," Knudsen said. (Florida Today)
Oregon Recreation Report (3) Jun 24, 2009
Passerine (perching) species, especially sparrows and finches remain fairly common around the Headquarters complex, Summer Lake Rest Area, homestead sites and shelter break plantings at the north end of the Area where they are attracted to tree and shrub cover ... Riparian areas, from low to high, will have a good number of species of passerines including sparrows, towhees, juncos, numerous finches and wrens for people to observe or photograph. (Lebanon Express, OR)
John Rupkey: There are lots of varmints on Latsch Jun 18, 2009
Among the other animals I have seen on Latsch Island are the following: eagles, crows, deer, toads, frogs, fireflies, dragonflies, a family of red foxes, grackles, geese, northern water snakes, garter snakes, orioles, finches, juncos, mice, ants, beetles, worms, hawks, owls, mourning doves, squirrels, skunks, bats, woodpeckers, clever little river otters, rabbits, hummingbirds, wasps, hornets, bees, turtles, turkeys, sparrows, starlings, butterflies, mayflies, cicadas, wolf spiders, fishing... (Winona Daily News, MN)
Natural selection Jun 18, 2009
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My turn: Nature watching Jun 17, 2009
On land, I watch the robins, red-wing blackbirds, orioles, sparrows, gold finches and more flit about my yard. And the sight of an eagle soaring around and around over the lake is another view that gives me goose bumps. (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
Canaries That Hear Poor Songs As Juveniles Nevertheless Sing Rather Normal Songs As Adults Jun 4, 2009
ScienceDaily (June 3, 2009) Many songbirds learn their songs early in life from a role model. In the absence of an appropriate tutor, they develop an improvised song that often lacks the species-typical song structure. (Science Daily)
Climate Change Threatens Endangered Honeycreeper Birds of Hawaii May 28, 2009
Honeycreepers rival Darwin s finches in the Galapagos Islands in terms of their bill types and number of species that descended from a common founder. The birds specialize on food that includes nectar, fruits and insects. (Science Daily)
Mockingbirds In Fickle Climates Sing Fancier Tunes May 26, 2009
The study reveals that when zebra finches first wake up, they are dramatically worse. (Mar. (Science Daily)
Puberty gone wild May 22, 2009
Jim Harding, a wildlife information specialist at Michigan State University, says all animals from aardvarks to zebra finches go through a period of transition as they take on adult characteristics and reach sexual maturity, or the ability to reproduce. If you look at it that way, you could say that animals go through a kind of puberty, too, he says. (Science News for Kids)
Naturally Speaking May 22, 2009
Black oil seed sunflowers will still attract cardinals, finches and the occasional blue jay, but they might be joined by dazzling rose-breasted grosbeaks, if you're near a wooded area. Special goldfinch feeders offering niger (sometimes mistakenly called thistle seed) can attract large numbers of sparkling yellow gold-finches. (Mid Iowa Enterprise, IA)
Bird Watching in Toronto May 22, 2009
Bird watching in the fall will yield some warblers, finches, thrushes, robins, sparrows, and duck species. The winter months are a great time to see owls such as the Great Horned Owl, and the. (Suite101.com)
2 men face charges of trapping finches May 21, 2009
FLORENCE -- Two men were arrested Saturday night for allegedly illegally trapping local finches in the hopes of shipping them to Brazil, police said ... Hanging in the trees were two bird cages with traps attached and two finches inside. (NJ.com -- Times)
New store offers birds from A to zebra finch May 17, 2009
A changing assortment of finches, at least eight species. Finches can range from $24 to $180 per pair. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
Weekend Events May 15, 2009
Local and regional vendors will be selling cage birds such as cockatiels, finches and parrots, cages, seed, bird toys and more Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Patrick's Cauley Center, 214 E. Fourth St.. Cost: $3. (Erie Times-News, PA)
More Critically Endangered Birds On Red List May 14, 2009
And coinciding with the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin s birth, one of the Galapagos finches, the Medium Tree-finch (Camarhynchus pauper) also becomes Critically Endangered, partly as a result of an introduced parasitic fly. In global terms, things continue to get worse but there are some real conservation success stories this year to give us hope and point the way forward, says Dr Leon Bennun, BirdLife s Director of Science and Policy. (Science Daily)
Ancient animals may be Darwin's 'missing links' May 13, 2009
The young Darwin had already puzzled over fossils and their living counterparts in Patagonia, and in his one brief stopover on the Galapagos Islands, he was so intrigued by the varied beaks of the finches he saw there that in "The Voyage of the Beagle," his classic account of his journey around the world, he was impelled to write the following. "Seeing this gradation and diversity of structure in one small, intimately related group of birds, one might really fancy that from an original paucity... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
4 Trinidad cops accused of stealing 1,000 animals May 6, 2009
The boat had sailed from Venezuela carrying more than 500 bull finches, 300 picoplat songbirds and an assortment of monkeys -- all crammed into tiny cages piled up on the craft, officials said. The illicit load was estimated to be worth about 500,000. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
CCNY, CSHL biologists find birdsong of isolates reverts to norm over several generations May 4, 2009
NEW YORK, May 3, 2009 In an experiment that points to a role for genetics in the development of culture, biologists at The City College of New York (CCNY) and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have discovered that zebra finches raised in isolation will, over several generations, produce a song similar to that sung by the species in the wild. According to Dr. Olga Fehr, who conducted the experiment for her dissertation at CCNY, first generation male zebra finches raised in isolation... (EurekAlert!)
Isolated Birds Evolve 'Normal' Species Song May 4, 2009
Such an experiment is not practical to conduct in humans, but an analog has been performed among a species of songbirds called zebra finches ... Biologists have discovered that zebra finches raised in isolation will, over several generations, produce a song similar to that sung by the species in the wild ... The study confirms that zebra finches raised in complete isolation do not sing the same song as they would if raised normally, i.e., among other members of their species. (Science Daily)
Darwin in a test tube Apr 30, 2009
Scientists at Scripps Research make molecules that evolve and compete, mimicking behavior of Darwin's finches ... On the voyage of the HMS Beagle, Darwin collected and studied different species of finches on several of the Galapagos Islands ... The finches differed in their beak structure some had thick, strong beaks and others had thin, delicate ones. (EurekAlert!)
Evolution In A Test Tube: Molecules 'Compete' Apr 30, 2009
Evolution In A Test Tube: Scientists Make Molecules That Evolve And Compete, Mimicking Behavior Of Darwin's Finches ... Evolution In A Test Tube: Scientists Make Molecules That Evolve And Compete, Mimicking Behavior Of Darwin's Finches ... 30, 2009) A group of scientists at The Scripps Research Institute has set up the microscopic equivalent of the Galapagos Islands an artificial ecosystem inside a test tube where molecules evolve to exploit distinct ecological niches, similar to the finches... (Science Daily)
Human-created 'wilderness' in the Galápagos Apr 20, 2009
One of these experiments to bring back old-time nature on human terms has been underway on the very Pacific islands whose finches and other unique species inspired Charles Darwin to propose his theory of evolution 150 years ago. Conservationists on the Galpagos archipelago are trying to reverse changes caused by humans by removing invasive goats, rats, and plants. (Christian Science Monitor)
Walking in Darwin's footsteps Apr 19, 2009
And there were sea tortoises, sea lions and the various species of finches that helped Darwin figure out the species evolved. Darwin famously observed that different species of finches on the Galapagos, an archipelago 600 miles west of mainland Ecuador, had beaks perfectly suited to different tasks ... " Those marine iguanas are just one of the numerous species endemic to the Galapagos. And each has its own story to tell about how living in an isolated, harsh place that requires adaptations to... (Montana Standard, MT)
Mid-April marked by seasonal changes Apr 19, 2009
Male and female purple finches arrive. First purple martin scouts seen. (Forest Republican, WI)
Birds: Feather Color Is More Than Skin Deep Apr 16, 2009
The researchers examined the carotenoid content of the liver, blood, skin and feathers of seven common crossbills (finches) in which adult males display carotenoid-based coloration on the throat, breast and rump. They were particularly interested in the anatomical origin of the birds' red plumage. (Science Daily)
Cautious thumbs up for fire district finances Apr 5, 2009
Right about this time of year, there s the background bass and rhythm of Canadas and other geese and mallards; the woodwind sounds of the mourning doves; the squeaky-toy sounds of the coots; the brassy, sometimes-weird and sometimes-pretty sounds from the redwings; and the whistling and warbling from finches and robins and all the rest. Thumbs Up: We enjoyed those sounds on a walk around the trail last weekend, then headed indoors last Sunday at the Ross Ragland for a bunch of other interesting... (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
Songbird deaths in NE Wis may be due to salmonella Mar 30, 2009
Most are pine siskins, goldfinches and house finches. Sanctuary curator Mike Reed says the cause might be salmonella. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Brain Cooling Answers Questions about Bird Behavior Mar 28, 2009
Because brain cell activity is known to slow at low temperatures, Michael Long and Michale Fee of the Massa-chusetts Institute of Technology inserted tiny wires that transmitted heat into and out of the HVC and RA in zebra finches. Cooling the HVC reduced the speed of the song by up to 40 percent. (Scientific American)
Effects Of Stress Last For Life In Birds Mar 24, 2009
The scientists studied zebra finches, which had been. (Aug. (Science Daily)
