Hello tweeties,

here is the link to a paper i wrote about a couple years ago (and republished on my blog today) that will provide a little background into the "poisonous birds" paper i wrote about a few days ago;

http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/12/backtracking_birds_show_island.php

The most recently demystified mystery bird was a Sooty Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca, as everyone who was brave enough to comment correctly identified;

http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/12/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_93.php

be sure to check back to read Rick's informative essay about identifying sparrows, especially all those Fox Sparrows. Rick also includes a reference to a very good field guide to the sparrows that you all might consider adding to your holiday wish list.

Here's today's -- gorgeous -- mystery bird, courtesy of photographer, Lee Rentz;

http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/12/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_80.php

And for those of you who are into a real challenge, here's a video of some of the hummingbirds of Venezuela for you to enjoy (identify);

http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/12/hummingbirds_of_venezuela.php

Of course, I was wondering if you could identify the species shown in the video? I am sure that at least some of you have time to accept the challenge!

happy holidays,

GrrlScientist
Devorah
http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/
Roosting high up a tree somewhere in Central Park, NYC