hello tweeties,

you might be interested to read this story about the recent award to the USFWS to continue to captive breeding and conserving the critically endangered 'Alala, or hawaiian crow, which is extinct in the wild and, with a total population of only 60 birds, it is the rarest forest bird in the world. It is interesting to note that this bird was driven to extinction by commonly kept exotic invasive species, particularly feral and free-roaming housecats;

http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2009/04/saving_the_alala.php

i've managed to find some interesting photographs of this species that you will enjoy, and have linked numerous references that you will find to be interesting reading.

the most recently demystified mystery bird, thanks to photographer Lee Rentz, was an astonishing image of a chestnut-backed chickadee;

http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2009/04/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_203.php

i am particularly impressed to see the chocolate brown forehead on this bird (i thought their entire cap was black!)

today's mystery bird, thanks to Terry Sohl, can be viewed here;

http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2009/04/todays_mystery_bird_for_you_to_209.php

cheers,

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