California Condor #318 at nest by John Maio

For the first time in more than 100 years, a California Condor nest appears at the Pinnacles National Monument which is located about 5 hours north of Los Angeles, California.

Two 7 year old California Condors, a female released in the park in 2004 and a male released along the Big Sur coast during the same year, were observed performing courtship rituals earlier this year. Last Friday, biologists hiked to their nest and confirmed that there is in fact an egg! It’s located in a cave on top of a cliff known to rock climbers as Resurrection Wall.

Eric Brunnemann, Pinnacle National Monument Superintendent, said in a statement:

We are thrilled that after being involved with the Condor Recovery Program since 2003, the park has its first nest in over 100 years … and conveniently Condors 317 and 318 chose a nest cave that can be easily viewed by the public from the Scout Peak bench on the High Peaks Trail.

Poaching, poison and lead shot left in the carcasses the birds fed on drastically reduced the number of California Condors. Eventually, in 1987 only 22 birds were left! In an attempt to save the species from extinction, conservationists captured the remaining wild birds and started a captive breeding program at the San Diego Wild Animal Park and the Los Angeles Zoo.

Slowly, the birds were reintroduced into California, Arizona and Baja California. Today, there are 348 California Condors in the wild and 161 in captive breeding centers. The goal of the California Condor Recovery Plan is to have 450 wild birds in three distinct populations, with 15 breeding pairs in each group. Then the California Condor could be downlisted from Endangered to Threatened.

I think it’s really important to also mention the hard work biologists must do to help these new parents.

The reality is that without the help of humans the egg may not survive. What happens is that these birds often times feed on dead animals that can contain PCBs, the DDT derivative DDE and other poisons. Scientists believe that some of these pollutants make egg shells thin.

So, biologists swapped the egg with a wooden one. This may sound strange, but it is standard procedure for birds in this area due to all the contaminants.

The real egg will be safely hatched in captivity. In about 53 to 60 days, which is the normal incubation period, biologist will return to the nest and replace the wooden egg with an egg produced in captivity that is ready to hatch. This new chick will eventually take its first flight in about 5 or 6 months!

I understand if this sounds a little weird to some, but the birds will not know the difference. I think the most important thing is that the total number of wild California Condors will soon go from 348 to 349!

Hopefully, one day there is no longer a chemical threat and biologists won’t have to do all of this.

Black Penguin by Andrew Evans

A rare black penguin was photographed last week! Honestly, if this wasn’t coming from National Geographic I might have a hard time believing it.

Andrew Evans took this photo near Fortuna Bay on the subantarctic island of South Georgia during his travels to Antarctica.

Andrew Evans writes:

He looked like a single black king moving across a chessboard of so many white pawns. Our first glimpse was puzzling until we drew closer and realized that this was not some other bird but indeed another penguin of a different color.

This penguin has a condition know as melanism.

From Wikipedia:

Melanism is the occurrence of an increased amount of dark pigmentation (as of skin, feathers, eyes or hair) in an organism, resulting from the presence of melanin. It is the opposite of leucism and albinism, which occur because of a lack of melanin or other types of pigment.

Dr. Allen Baker, ornithologist and professor of Environmental and Evolutionary Studies at the University of Toronto and head of the Department of Natural History at the Royal Ontario Museum, told National Geographic:

Well that is astonishing. I’ve never ever seen that before. It’s a one in a zillion kind of mutation somewhere. The animal has lost control of its pigmentation patterns. Presumably it’s some kind of mutation.

Melanism occurs is many different animals, but is extremely rare in penguins.

Andrew Evans writes:

All-black penguins are so rare there is practically no research on the subject–biologists guess that perhaps one in every quarter million of penguins shows evidence of at least partial melanism, whereas the penguin we saw appears to be almost entirely (if not entirely) melanistic.

Not only is it rare, but what about actually finding one among the thousands of penguins! I can understand why some may doubt it.

You can read the rest of Andrew Evans’s journey on his blog called Bus2Antartica at National Geographic. If your on Twitter, follow him on at Bus2Antarctica.

USB Robot Owl by Rain Rabbit

Now here’s a cute little gadget that’s perfect for the geeky birdwatcher!

I’ve been looking for little USB gadgets for my office and came across this little gem by Cube Works. The USB port on your computer powers the device to make its head turn and eyes blink. Using a button on the owl’s back, you can choose from three different modes of operation called “Active”, Mellow” or “Sleeping”.

The USB Robot Owl is available in four different colors: white, gray, brown and pink. Unfortunately, only a couple of colors are available right now. It comes with a clip and a little tree stump so you can either attach it to the top of your laptop or just set it on your desk.

So simple, yet so cute!

You can purchase the White USB Robot Owl or the Grey USB Robot Owl on Amazon.

Update: The Brown USB Robot Owl is available on ThinkGeek! Yay! That’s the one I really wanted.

Do you like my hairdo? by Rich-Edmondson

Here are some of the most popular posts, tweets, retweets, Facebook posts and photos from Burdr over the past week. Enjoy!

News

• Afghan protection for rare warbler via TelegraphNews [Twitter]
• Tennessee Rep Zach Wamp says coal mining is good for birds, birding experts disagree via The Tennessean [Twitter]
• Pelican Event in Los Angeles to help IBRRC ‘Fill the Bill’ via IBRRC [Twitter]
• Some fight! Bald eagle captured, recuperating after fight in Lake Oswego via Oregon Live [Twitter]
• Corkscrew sanctuary officially designated as a Wetland of International Importance via  Marco News [Twitter]
• Yay! Afghanistan Protects Rare Bird, Snow Leopard, and Other Species via Treehugger [Twitter]
• Saving rockhopper penguins via BirdLife [Twitter]
• Syncrude Trial Begins For Duck Deaths via Burdr
• Bald Eagle caught in a rope was rescued by the “Eagle Whisperer” via Komo News [Twitter]
• Me too! “Rangers hope ospreys will return to Northumberland” via BBC News [Twitter]
• Police investigating death of goshawk found with shotgun pellets on North Yorkshire moor WARNING: Photo via Darlington and Stockton Times [Twitter]
• Track the Ruby-throated hummingbird Migration via Burdr
• Birds flock to islands after using controversial poison drops to kill rats and mice via NZ Herald News [Twitter]
• Hawaiian Hotel to face lawsuit over deaths of rare bird species via Honolulu Adviser [Twitter]
• This is one tough Bald Eagle! via Burdr
• Evan Lysacek Owes His Gold Medal To The Birds via Burdr

Photos and Videos

• Shoveler (Anas clypeata) by Rónán.McLaughlin via dendroica [Twitter] – P
• One of several Flame-colored Tanagers we saw in Panama via AKbirder [Twitter]

• Video of Great Horned Owl captured with Canon 7D via photo_minute [Twitter]
• New Flickr gallery, birds from the western slope of the Andes in Peru via jpperret [Twitter]

Inca Dove by los_maestros

• Inca Dove via Los_Maetros [Twitter]
• Blue Grosbeak via Los_Maetros [Twitter]
• Do you like my hairdo? by Rich-Edmondson [Twitter]
• An American Tree Sparrow perches on a thorny branch via hummingbird2 [Twitter]
• Bald Eagle portrait by Wandering Sagebrush [Twitter]
• Why, hello!!! by E Martin Photo [Twitter]
• Female Cardinal-recent photo from my backyard by rhondaholcomb [Twitter]

• Bald eagle lays an egg on Channel Islands, major milestone after legacy of DDT poisoning via matt_weiser [Twitter]
• Coastal Cactus Wren at the Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary via AudubonCA [Twitter]
• Red-shouldered Hawk, Florida via NaturalBornHike [Twitter]
• Common Loon With Chick, Quebec, Canada via WallpaperPics via [Twitter]
• The brilliant scarlet feathers of a Red-headed Woodpecker via hummingbird2 [Twitter]
• That’s first picture is awesome! “Oh Sweet Canada…” via Red and the Peanut [Twitter]
• Hen thinks she’s a dog via Telegraph [Twitter]

R.I.P. Little Buddy by Laney Bird

• Oh no! “R.I.P. little buddy” by Laney Bird [Twitter]
• Peregrine Falcon shows up on the KING 5 Queene Anne tower cam via rayk58 [Twitter]
• Rosy Finch feeding frenzy at Sandia Crest, NM today via LRockwellatty [Twitter]
• You don’t see this every day. A cormorant in a Monkey Puzzle tree. via TinoBambino [Twitter]
• Northern Flicker via kootenayphotos [Twitter]

Peek-a-boo Cardinal by searchnetmedia

• Peek-a-boo Cardinal, birding in Arizona via searchnetmedia [Twitter]
• Watch Molly The Barn Owl Live On Ustream via Burdr
• Pretty Mountain Chickadee at the Rio Grande Nature Center, NM via LRockwellatty [Twitter]
• Kingfisher in flight, with skewered fishy. via NickChillPhoto [Twitter]
• Flickr Roundup For Week Of 3/5/2010 via Burdr

Burdrs and Blogs

• Marsh Wren Building A Nest And Singing via The Birder’s Report [Twitter]
• Lots of great photos! “What can you see in a small boat … with an expert to guide you?” via My Bird Tales [Twitter]
• Great collection of photos from South Padre Island via Antshrike’s Bird Blog [Twitter]
• Really pretty photos! More Backyard Birds via Birds by Kim Blog [Twitter]
• My garden visitors today via Birding On Wheels [Twitter]
• Woodbush forest birding, Tzaneen, South Africa via Discovering Alpine Birds [Twitter]
• Osprey! via My Bird Tales [Twitter]
• Pileated Woodpecker by Abraham Lincoln via My Birds Blog [Twitter]
• Blog & photos of my birding trip to Ft Desoto Park this morning with St. Pete Audubon Society via Blog The Beach [Twitter]

On The Ellen Generes Show, Olympic gold medal figure skater Evan Lysacek revealed the secret to his winning short program: birds!

Evan Lysacek’s choreographer Lori Nichol wanted him to skate to Igor Stravinsky’s “The Firebird“. Evan told Ellen that while learning his routine, he was having difficulty relating to all the bird movements.

Then one day, the birds stepped in and gave him a little advice!

Evan Lysacek told Ellen:

I was sitting at home after training and all of a sudden these birds fluttered onto a window sill. They starting doing all these bird like things.

Oh my God, they’re doing my short! I know that move!

Inspiration can come to us in an infinite number of ways. We just have to be willing to see it!

Muscovy Duck by gregpage1465

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! You might find a couple of birds in this week’s Flickr Roundup that some may call ugly and others find absolutely beautiful.

You’ll also see a couple of close calls in this week’s Flickr Roundup. Check out the Magpie and the dog! Can you see what’s in the water below the African Spoonbill? Click the photo to find out!

So many wonderful photos of parents taking care of their young have been added over the past week. It’s really starting to make anxious for Spring!

I simply amazed by the fine details and clarity of some of the photos added this week. For example, the Mallard photo is incredibly detailed. View it large to see all the tiny water drops.

Thanks so much to all the very talented photographers who have shared their photos in the Burdr Flickr group this week!

Purple Swamphen by alabang

Marabou Stork by lyn.f

African Spoonbill and a... by Hector16

Pup! Watch Out! by John&Fish

Salvin's Mollymawk by PeregrinesBirdBlog

Head betweetn wings by E Martin Photo

Cranes and Chick by Hector16

Stork with Chick by lyn.f

I'm hungry ma!!! by E Martin Photo

Redstart feeding young by Bob the birdman

Williamsburg Bottle Birds by William Dalton

Feeding Babies by Yer Photo Xpression

Blue-gray Tanager by Peter Burke

Fork-tailed Emerald by shyalbatross

Nesting... by mishko2007

The hole picture by littlebiddle

Yellow-crowned Night Heron by Carly & Art

Mallard by mtetcher

Egretta thula yahooseriousei by Carly & Art

Bird of Prey by Tommy Simms

Lilac Breasted Roller by Steve aka Crispin Swan

Burrowing Owl by littlebiddle

Bat Falcon by shyalbatross

American Kestrel by Phil Seu

Itchy Osprey by William Dalton

Brown Pelican in a Hard Dive by Mike Forsman

Press On by Craig Leaper

Roadrunner by Nick Chill

Florida Bald Eagle No. 512 Released by Jim Damaske

For the second time in 19 years, Florida Bald Eagle No. 512 was rescued, rehabilitated and released back into the wild!

In 1998, this Bald Eagle was released after successfully recovering from being shot in the leg and through the wing 2 years earlier.

Last year, Bald Eagle No. 512 was rescued a second time after getting into a dispute  while protecting her nest.

From St. Petersburgh Times:

A younger female eagle kicked her out in late November, held her to the ground, plucked her chest feathers and skewered No. 512 with dagger-like talons.

Bald Eagle No. 512 has spent the last three months recovering from her injuries at Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.

Lynda White, Audubon Eaglewatch Coordinator:

“She’s middle-aged, but hopefully she’ll live for a long time to come.”

Thursday, a crowd of more than 30 watched as Bald Eagle No. 512 was released near the same spot she returned to the wild in 1998!

From St. Petersburgh Times:

Flying over the woods around Brooksville may have been bittersweet for No. 512, if Bald Eagles felt such things.

Back then, many doubted she could survive, but she did. This time around, I think she’ll do just fine!

Molly The Barn Owl on Ustream

Meet Molly the Barn Owl and take a look inside her nest box with a live video feed at Ustream.

Earlier this week, Twitter user celticgirl62 introduced me to a wonderful Barn Owl named Molly.

Molly is from San Marcos, California which is just north of San Diego. The people at the Birds R Us blog set this live cam up. They are using a Logitech Quickcam Orbit AF (which has Zeiss optics by the way!) during the day and a Agama V-1325R Night Vision Infrared 1.3M Pixel Webcam at night.

From Birds R Us:

The owl house is located on a 15 foot pole and there is a tree just outside the opening. The box has been up for two years and it took two years before the owls showed up. No other birds have tried to nest in the box. We have a very eco-friendly backyard; we live on an acre lot with lots of trees and plants for wildlife.

Wow, if I was a Barn Owl I would definitely move in there.

The Owl Box by Birds R Us

Molly laid a total of six eggs this February, so they should hatch sometime in March. I’ll definitely be tuning in for that!

From Bird R Us:

These are the dates she laid her eggs and the estimated hatch dates. Owl eggs hatch one at a time and approximately 30 to 34 days after being laid.

Egg 1 2/13/10 12:15 PM Est. Hatch 3/14-17/10
Egg 2 2/16/10 07:23 AM Est. Hatch 3/16-20/10
Egg 3 2/18/10 09:13 AM Est. Hatch 3/18-22/10
Egg 4 2/20/10 11:07 AM Est. Hatch 3/20-24/10
Egg 5 2/22/10 02:00 PM Est. Hatch 3/22-26/10
Egg 6 2/25/10 09:35 AM Est. Hatch 3/25-29/10

You can watch Molly the Barn Owl live on Ustream, but be careful, it’s a little addicting. Keep an eye out for her mate named McGee. If you’re on Twitter, follow @MollyOwl to stay up to date with what’s happening. It’s also a great way to know when there will be live narration during video feed.

Molly and her owl box by Birds R Us

There is also a good amount of recorded video clips on Molly’s Ustream channel. Last I checked, there were about seven pages of videos like the one below.

Do you have any favorite live bird cams? Share them in the comments!

American Coot rescued from Syncrude tailings pond by Larry Wong

Monday, nearly two years after the incident, oil giant Syncrude begins their trial concerning the April 2008 deaths of 1606 ducks at their oil sands in northern Alberta, Canada.

Oil sands are a naturally occurring mixture of water and a very dense, viscous type of petroleum called bitumen. Making usable liquid fuels from these oil sands requires huge amounts of energy and resources. In recent years, higher oil prices and new technology has allowed this material to be profitably extracted.

Tailings are the leftover materials after the valuable portion has been extracted. In the case of the Syncrude oil sands, these tailings are pumped into ponds. The fluid in these ponds is highly toxic to wildlife and often has a consistency similar to yogurt.

WARNING! The follow video shows a duck in one of the tailings pond. You might find this disturbing. I certainly did, but it shows just how horrible these really ponds are!

These are not small ponds. To give you an idea, the pond these ducks died in is approximately the size of 640 football fields!

Syncrude Mildred Lake Plant by TastyCakes

So this Monday, Syncrude pleaded not guilty to charges under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act.

In opening statements, Syncrude says that a freak late winter storm prevented them from putting the noise canons out which are supposed to keep the birds away. They went one to say that they looked at bird patterns over the last 30 years and thought that no birds should be in the area.

Provincial Crown prosecutor Susan McRory said Syncrude failed in its duty to protect the birds and that the snowstorm had no effect on the situation. Other facilities had their deterrents in place at the time of the ducks death. Also, the employees responsible for setting up the noise cannons were not even at work on the day the ducks landed

Federal Crown prosecutor Kent Brown said that Syncrude’s tailings ponds are an unlawful deposit under the Migratory Birds Convention Act since it presents a harmful substance to birds and is present in an area frequented by migratory birds.

Syncrude lawyer Robert White on left and on the right is a guy who can't believe what he's saying!

Outside the court, Robert White, a lawyer for Syncrude, told reporters:

Yeah, a mistake was made but a crime, no.  A mistake, learn from mistakes.  Crimes, punish crimes, but don’t punish mistakes.

What?! So killing over 1600 migratory birds isn’t a crime?

From Wikipedia:

Crime is the breach of rules or laws.

In my opinion, their “mistake” violated the law which therefore makes it a crime.

Robert White goes on:

“What the statute says is that we’re not supposed to bring any hazardous substance into contact with these birds. The problem arises when the birds come into contact with our hazardous substance.”

Hmmm… So is he trying to say it’s the birds’ fault? Let me read that again… Yes, I think he did!

This just really gets me fired up. How about just being honest and owning up to your mistakes? Really! It’s not like Syncrude can’t afford it.

If found guilty, Syncrude will have to pay a $800,000 fine. This breaks down into $500,000 for violating the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and $300,000 for violating the Migratory Birds Convention Act.

This really isn’t much at all considering Syncrude set new revenue generation records in 2009, bringing in $3.4 billion! These fines would be only 0.02% of their 2009 revenue!

Stop the Tarsands by Greenpeace International

Lindsay Telfer, with the Sierra Club:

The tarsands’ toxic tailings ponds are on trial today. I think this incident specifically showed the world just how toxic the tailings ponds are.

We know that those waters are leaking into the Athabasca and we know downstream communities have significant health problems.

I think… the interest that we’re seeing in this case goes far beyond the 1,600 ducks, though Syncrude needs to step up and take responsibility for those deaths.”

The following video is from an older news broadcast, but it gives you a really good overview of the story. Remember, initially they reported only 500 ducks. Much later, it was discovered that the death toll was over 1600.

What are your thoughts on this trial?

Update: While researching Syncrude and this story, I came across a video of a Syncrude employee doing the “Syncrude Shuffle” while on the job getting “23.50 plus OT” according to his description. Well, I can think of a few better things he could have be doing other than the “Syncrude Shuffle”. I really hope this is not what other Syncrude employees are like. Warning! There is a lot of foul language in the video.

Ruby Throated? Why do they call me Ruby Throated? by MrClean1982

It’s that time of year! Spring is rapidly approaching and the hummingbirds are on their way!

You can follow the migration of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds up through North America on the migration maps at Hummingbirds.net! Just last week, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were reported in Texas and Florida.

Curious about when these hummingbirds might be arriving in your area? Check out some of the maps from previous years to get an idea. You can find links to them all underneath the current migration map.

If you see any Ruby-throated Hunmingbirds near you, be sure to report your sightings to Hummingbirds.net.