Where are the starlings?

First off, I don't miss Sturnus vulgaris.  The starling is a real pest in most parts of the year but fortunately they seem to take a vacation starting in Fall.  I wonder if we could find out what cues make them leave or migrate and then use that to give them the hint that they are not wanted during the Spring and Summer?  They normally roost in large flocks in the maple trees that overhang our cars in the driveway and you can imagine what the result is.

Instead of starlings at this time of the year, I see several blue jays in the yard, along with sparrows and wrens.  At the pond there are still huge flocks of Canada geese, a few ducks and lots of gulls (that seems strange).

Squirrels and bushy tails

As I type I am watching another squirrel do the tightrope walk on the power lines over the busy street outside my house.  I am struck by the movements of the squirrel's tail and I am fairly sure it is how the squirrel is able to maintain such exquisite balance on narrow tree branches and wires.  All it takes are constant, minute adjustments in tail position to maintain the squirrel's center of gravity in the proper position. It reminds of tightrope walkers who hold long poles to maintain their balance.  It would be interesting to look at animals with bushy tails and their habitats and niches to see if they also perform delicate balancing acts as part of their survival.

Dandelion phenomena

This is something I noticed last Spring, around mid-May here on Long Island.  In the yard, all of a sudden dandelions popped up everywhere all over the lawn.  This was after I had mowed the lawn several days ago, and we had an extended dry period.  Guess what happened after the yard was covered with dandelions?  We had a day or two of record wind!  I wonder, do plants have mechanisms that respond to humidity and air pressure, so that they can take advantage of upcoming weather to optimize seed dispersal?

Birds unraveling window screens in grove city, ohio

I recently visited my brother in Grove City, Ohio.  When I entered his house I noticed a window screen laid out on a table for repair. It seems that the birds have learned how to unravel window screens!  I wonder if this is a local, learned behavior or if it occurs in other parts of the world?

More information on the laughing cicada

Here is a link with an image of the laughing cicada

2011 Philippine Biodiversity ExpeditionPreliminary Results: Terrestrial Arthropods by Ireneo I. Lit, Jr.

Guess which mammal has the fastest muscles?

According to researchers, the muscles in a bat's larynx can contract up to 200 times per second during the "terminal buzz" as they make the final approach to a flying insect.

A side note, if you want to observe the effects of a terminal buzz, here is how to do it.  On a hot summer night, when moths are flying around outdoor lights, such as on the front porch, shake your car keys.  You should see any nearby moths immediately take evasive action.  Supposedly the jangling keys produce high frequency sound similar to the "terminal buzz" of a bat.

Superfast muscles are also in rattlesnake tails, songbirds, and the oyster toadfish which uses superfast muscles to generate a courtship whistle.

For more information, check out the link below:

BATS HAVE FASTEST MAMMAL MUSCLES

Fish uses tools

http://news.discovery.com/animals/fish-uses-tool-110929.html

You have to watch this video.

It shows a fish "throwing" shellfish at rocks.

The education of a grey squirrel

Animals are amazing.  We have all seen the omnipresent grey.squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis. During the summer my wife and I practically live on our front porch.  Sometimes it feels like we are watching a fantastic wildlife show.

The squirrels are amazing creatures.  I estimate that we have at least ten squirrels living in the four big maple trees in our yard.  In front of our house there is a busy street with a green inviting park on the other side.  What's a squirrel to do?  Well, they have developed a series of aerial paths that utilize trees and the power lines so that they can travel from our yard to the park and back in perfect safety.  The other neat thing is that they do this in pairs and groups and I am almost certain that they learn the routes from each other.  I am happy to say I have never seen a dead squirrel in front of our house.  There definitely is more here than meets the eye.

the Laughing Cicada

Nature never fails to amaze.  Recently there have been reports of an insect that makes sounds similar to human laughter. The "laughing cicada" is one of many new species discovered in the Philippines.  This blog is dedicated to the weird and wonderful organisms and phenomena that make our world such a special place.