| Farming family gets gong for green innovation A family of third generation cane growers in north Queensland has received a national sustainability award for their innovation in the industry. abc.net.au |
Mystery bird: Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta Demsystified! I also include a list of interesting traits that this fascinating mystery bird possessesHamerkop, Scopus umbretta, also known as the hammerkop, hammerkopf, hammerhead, hammerhead stork, umbrette, umber bird, tufted umber, or anvilhead. This bird was photographed at Ngorongoro Crater, northern Tanzania.Image: Dan Logen, 23 January 2010. [larger view]. Nikon D300, 600mm lens with 1.4 extender, ISO 500, f/9, 1/400 secThis legendary and distinctive African mystery bird species is just so peculiar that instead of asking a specific question about one of its many remarkable traits, I am instead interested to know what you think is most fascinating about this species. Is it possible to choose just one trait?Here's a list what I find remarkable about the hamerkop: To a casual observer, this long-legged wading bird resembles a heron or perhaps a stork, but it is currently placed in the pelican and cormorant group, Pelecaniformes, although it is classified into Ciconiiformes (storks, herons, egrets, ibises, and spoonbills) by other authorities This species is so peculiar in so many ways that it is the only member of its taxonomic family (Scopidae) and genus (Scopus) Its middle toenail has a rough comb-like edge (a pectinate toe), as do the herons (this toe is used to groom its feathers) It soars with its neck stretched out like a stork or ibis, but during flapping flight, it coils its neck back so that it resembles a heron Convergent evolution is the reason this bird's bill looks similar those of the shoebill, Balaeniceps rex, and the boat-billed heron, Cochlearius cochlearius (neither of which appear to be closely related to the hamerkop) The hamerkop's feet are partially webbed. Is this a morphological relic from this species' evolutionary past? Hamerkop behaviour is strange, too. For example, as many as 10 individuals may join displays where they run circles around each other, all calling loudly, raising their crests and fluttering their wings. What is the evolutionary function for this behaviour? They also engage in "false mounting", where one bird stands on top of another, but they may not be mates and they do not copulate. Is this some sort of dominance behaviour? Their nests are truly astonishing objects as well. The nests are huge, often large enough for a human to sit in, and the outside is decorated with brightly coloured objects. Do these decorations serve a purpose? If so, what might that be? Not only are their nests huge, but these birds are obsessive about building lots of them, too. Even when the adults are not breeding, each pair constructs three to five nests every year – what is the evolutionary "reason" for such a large energy expenditure on building structures that the birds may never use? If you have bird images, video or mp3 files that you'd like to share with a large and appreciate audience, feel free to email them to me for consideration.GrrlScientistguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Today's Mystery Bird for you to identify | GrrlScientist This spectacular African mystery bird owes its dramatic colouring to what aspect of its natural history?Mystery Bird photographed at Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Tanzania, Africa. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]Image: Dan Logen, 10 January 2010 [with binoculars].Nikon D300, 200-400mm lens at 400 ISO 1000, f/5.6, 1/640 sec.This spectacular African mystery bird owes its dramatic colouring to what aspect of its natural history?Daily Mystery Bird Rules: 1. Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification, keeping in mind that more than one field mark is often necessary to distinguish between species. IDs without any supporting information are not valid and may be deleted by the moderators. 2. Expert and intermediate level birders: do NOT try to be the first to blurt out the mystery bird's ID. Instead, please provide helpful hints, such as descriptions, literary references, puns, personal anecdotes, and other forms of discussion and assistance for beginning birders and for those following on their iPhones without naming the species. Expert and intermediate birders are free to name the bird species 24 or more hours after it was first published.3. Each mystery bird is usually accompanied by a question or two. These questions can be useful for identifying the pictured species, but may instead be used to illustrate an interesting aspect of avian biology, behaviour or evolution, or may be intended to generate conversation on other topics, such as conservation. 4. Each bird species will be demystified 48 hours after publication. If you have bird images, video or mp3 files that you'd like to share with a large and appreciate audience, feel free to email them to me for consideration.GrrlScientistguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Ahmadinejad endorses new nuclear talks with West By NASSER KARIMI 2010-10-17T11:45:36ZTEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's president on Sunday endorsed the resumption of talks with the international community about his country's nuclear program, the latest in Tehran's recently intensified push to get those negotiations going again.... hosted.ap.org |
Findings: Murder! Intrigue! Astronomers? The story of the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe has box-office potential. feeds.nytimes.com |