ornithology
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Say Goodbye to America’s Racist Birds
Say ‘see ya’ to Scott’s oriole, a black and yellow bird native to the Southwestern U.S. The bird isn’t going anywhere—but its moniker is to be nixed, along with the terms for many other birds named for individuals with less-than-illustrious histories. The American Ornithological Society, an organisation dedicated to the understanding and conservation of birds,…
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The Tragically Human End of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
At the end of September, an ornithological bombshell 54 years in the making finally dropped: The ivory-billed woodpecker, a symbol of southern biodiversity and the largest woodpecker in the U.S., was to be removed from the endangered species list. The reason? Extinction.
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‘I Was Just in Shock’: Mass Bird Death Reported in New York City
When Melissa Breyer packed up her bag on Monday night for her Tuesday morning volunteer shift with the Audubon Society, she decided to seriously prepare.
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Why Aren’t There Mammals in Super Vivid Colours Like There Are Birds and Bugs?
Plumage. An incredible world, for an incredible phenomenon. Say it with me now: plumage. Picture the colours, their variety and richness. Picture, while you’re at it, some other stuff relevant to this week’s Giz Asks, such as bugs that look shaped from stained glass and sea creatures that look like they’ve been doused in neon…