Hello tweeties,

the very mysterious mystery bird was, as i promised, identifiable. in this case, the bird was a Worm-eating Warbler, Helmitheros vermivorus;

http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/10/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_53.php

Be sure to return to that entry to read Rick's analysis regarding how to identify this (and other) species, using just a few birdy-bits.

Thanks to photographer, Richard Ditch, here's today's mystery bird;

http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/10/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_44.php

The Indonesian Parrot Project sent an expedition to the remote Indonesian island archipelago in the Java Sea to search for the Masakambing (Abbott's) yellow-crested cockatoo, Cacatua sulphurea abbotti -- and they found it! Unfortunately, there are apparently only ten individuals left, but they are already working hard to preserve this species of "the world's rarest parrot." you can read more about their efforts here;

http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/10/endangered_cockatoo_species_re.php

In a telephone conversation yesterday with Bonnie Zimmermann, the VP of the Indonesian Parrot Project, I learned a lot more about this project and there is plenty more to talk about with regards to this work. As a result, I will be writing more about their work in the near future, so there will be more announcements from me regarding the many activities of this very important all-volunteer organization!

And last, but not least, I have good news regarding the DonorsChoose Challenges: Seed media Group announced that they are adding matching funds to all the ScienceBloggers' the DonorsChoose Challenges, and they also have plenty of prize drawings available for everyone who has donated or will donate to the cause of improving the quality of the educational experiences for America's children;

http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/10/seed_media_group_donates_match.php

We have only one week left in our DonorsChoose fund-raising efforts, so be sure to donate something, even if it's only one dollar, to help educate our nation's children (my particular "Challenge" focuses on poor children throughout the nation to learn about science).

cheers,

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