c0nc0rdance
@c0nc0rdance.bsky.social
Molecular biologist from Texas, here to share my meanderings on nature, science, history, politics, and zombies. Long threads a specialty.
Pre-coffee morning owl.
February 13, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Pre-coffee morning owl.
Middle school lunchrooms are idealized capitalist marketplaces. 😄
February 13, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Middle school lunchrooms are idealized capitalist marketplaces. 😄
That guy is awesome.
February 13, 2026 at 2:49 PM
That guy is awesome.
They're noisy & uh... 'messy', so there are a number of programs to keep them off recreational beach areas.
But they're also an "indicator species": attracted to healthy biomes & representing a green light for coastal ecology.
Some individuals can live to age 40!
A neat, weird bird.
But they're also an "indicator species": attracted to healthy biomes & representing a green light for coastal ecology.
Some individuals can live to age 40!
A neat, weird bird.
UK’s oldest known Oystercatchers discovered on England’s east coast wetlands
www.rspb.org.uk
February 13, 2026 at 2:48 PM
They're noisy & uh... 'messy', so there are a number of programs to keep them off recreational beach areas.
But they're also an "indicator species": attracted to healthy biomes & representing a green light for coastal ecology.
Some individuals can live to age 40!
A neat, weird bird.
But they're also an "indicator species": attracted to healthy biomes & representing a green light for coastal ecology.
Some individuals can live to age 40!
A neat, weird bird.
As you've seen in some of the photos, oystercatcher parents raise their young, teaching them how to hunt through a long apprenticeship.
The babies also learn "piracy": stealing catches from non-relative oystercatchers, which accounts for a good portion of their diet. Yargh🏴☠️.
The babies also learn "piracy": stealing catches from non-relative oystercatchers, which accounts for a good portion of their diet. Yargh🏴☠️.
Species Spotlight - American Oystercatcher (U.S. National Park Service)
www.nps.gov
February 13, 2026 at 2:48 PM
As you've seen in some of the photos, oystercatcher parents raise their young, teaching them how to hunt through a long apprenticeship.
The babies also learn "piracy": stealing catches from non-relative oystercatchers, which accounts for a good portion of their diet. Yargh🏴☠️.
The babies also learn "piracy": stealing catches from non-relative oystercatchers, which accounts for a good portion of their diet. Yargh🏴☠️.
They poke knife-like beaks into cracks in the oyster's shell, attempting to cut the adductor muscle that holds the shell closed.
Most of the time, this results in easy feeding.
Sometimes, they miss & can be trapped by the heavy-bodied mollusk. This can result in drowning as tides roll in. 😬
Most of the time, this results in easy feeding.
Sometimes, they miss & can be trapped by the heavy-bodied mollusk. This can result in drowning as tides roll in. 😬
American Oystercatcher - eBird
Large, bulky shorebird with thick red bill. Unmistakable, striking plumage. Exclusively coastal; favors beaches where it feeds on shellfish and other invertebrates; less frequent in rocky areas. Gathers in flocks during migration and winter. Listen for loud yelps and whistles, often in a rapid series when excited. Hybrids with Black Oystercatcher occur locally in southern California and Baja; look for messy spotting where the black hood meets the white belly (sometimes very limited but often quite extensive).
ebird.org
February 13, 2026 at 2:48 PM
They poke knife-like beaks into cracks in the oyster's shell, attempting to cut the adductor muscle that holds the shell closed.
Most of the time, this results in easy feeding.
Sometimes, they miss & can be trapped by the heavy-bodied mollusk. This can result in drowning as tides roll in. 😬
Most of the time, this results in easy feeding.
Sometimes, they miss & can be trapped by the heavy-bodied mollusk. This can result in drowning as tides roll in. 😬
Along the seashore, this globally-distributed bird does indeed eat oysters, but also a wide variety of creeping shoreline critters (crabs, urchins, limpets, worms).
They have a very specific way of catching bivalves (oyster, clams) & it is sometimes their downfall.
They have a very specific way of catching bivalves (oyster, clams) & it is sometimes their downfall.
February 13, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Along the seashore, this globally-distributed bird does indeed eat oysters, but also a wide variety of creeping shoreline critters (crabs, urchins, limpets, worms).
They have a very specific way of catching bivalves (oyster, clams) & it is sometimes their downfall.
They have a very specific way of catching bivalves (oyster, clams) & it is sometimes their downfall.
Next, the beak, which BECOMES the perfect tool for feeding.
If the diet of the oystercatcher changes, the beak rapidly adapts to a new shape.
This seems to be from two factors:
1. A bill that grows VERY rapidly, 0.4mm a day.
2. Abrasion from poking it into holes to find food.
Avian keymaster!
If the diet of the oystercatcher changes, the beak rapidly adapts to a new shape.
This seems to be from two factors:
1. A bill that grows VERY rapidly, 0.4mm a day.
2. Abrasion from poking it into holes to find food.
Avian keymaster!
Why oystercatchers have the right bill for the job - Discover Wildlife
Nick Baker reveals a fascinating world of British wildlife that we often overlook – in this month's column learn about the elegant yet noisy oystercatcher.
www.discoverwildlife.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Next, the beak, which BECOMES the perfect tool for feeding.
If the diet of the oystercatcher changes, the beak rapidly adapts to a new shape.
This seems to be from two factors:
1. A bill that grows VERY rapidly, 0.4mm a day.
2. Abrasion from poking it into holes to find food.
Avian keymaster!
If the diet of the oystercatcher changes, the beak rapidly adapts to a new shape.
This seems to be from two factors:
1. A bill that grows VERY rapidly, 0.4mm a day.
2. Abrasion from poking it into holes to find food.
Avian keymaster!
First, the eyes, which are yellow with an orange surrounding membrane. Striking!
But notice the odd pupil on one? That's a female & most have black flecks on the iris for reasons we don't understand.
Males lack this trait, or have only tiny black flecks.
But notice the odd pupil on one? That's a female & most have black flecks on the iris for reasons we don't understand.
Males lack this trait, or have only tiny black flecks.
February 13, 2026 at 2:48 PM
First, the eyes, which are yellow with an orange surrounding membrane. Striking!
But notice the odd pupil on one? That's a female & most have black flecks on the iris for reasons we don't understand.
Males lack this trait, or have only tiny black flecks.
But notice the odd pupil on one? That's a female & most have black flecks on the iris for reasons we don't understand.
Males lack this trait, or have only tiny black flecks.
This strange little bird is an 'oystercatcher', one of 12 species in family Haematopodidae, Latin for "blood foot" because of dark red coloration on the legs of some.
A group of them is called a "stew".😀
Let's talk about the utter weirdness of their eyes & beaks.
A group of them is called a "stew".😀
Let's talk about the utter weirdness of their eyes & beaks.
February 13, 2026 at 2:48 PM
This strange little bird is an 'oystercatcher', one of 12 species in family Haematopodidae, Latin for "blood foot" because of dark red coloration on the legs of some.
A group of them is called a "stew".😀
Let's talk about the utter weirdness of their eyes & beaks.
A group of them is called a "stew".😀
Let's talk about the utter weirdness of their eyes & beaks.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
The tech behind 'Pop Rocks' candy was patented in 1961, but the product wasn't launched until 1976.
They're created by putting a super-saturated solution of sugar (sucrose) in a chamber pressurized with CO2 to 50 atmospheres (730 psi).
Gas-filled bubbles form, then are captured in the crystals.
They're created by putting a super-saturated solution of sugar (sucrose) in a chamber pressurized with CO2 to 50 atmospheres (730 psi).
Gas-filled bubbles form, then are captured in the crystals.
June 18, 2025 at 12:21 PM
The tech behind 'Pop Rocks' candy was patented in 1961, but the product wasn't launched until 1976.
They're created by putting a super-saturated solution of sugar (sucrose) in a chamber pressurized with CO2 to 50 atmospheres (730 psi).
Gas-filled bubbles form, then are captured in the crystals.
They're created by putting a super-saturated solution of sugar (sucrose) in a chamber pressurized with CO2 to 50 atmospheres (730 psi).
Gas-filled bubbles form, then are captured in the crystals.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Hello world. One of my favorite fun facts to share about elephants…their trunks are covered in whiskers, with built-in intelligence! If that got your attention…check out our new paper in @science.org www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
February 13, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Hello world. One of my favorite fun facts to share about elephants…their trunks are covered in whiskers, with built-in intelligence! If that got your attention…check out our new paper in @science.org www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Tagging @robyngrant.bsky.social, who got me excited about whiskers!
Why don't HUMANS have proper WHISKERS like most other mammals?
We are, in fact, one of only a handful of mammals that DON'T have whiskers ('vibrissae'): it's us, rhinos, some whales, dolphins & apes.
Even most aquatic mammals have them.
First, we need to understand how they work...
(📷: Salix)
We are, in fact, one of only a handful of mammals that DON'T have whiskers ('vibrissae'): it's us, rhinos, some whales, dolphins & apes.
Even most aquatic mammals have them.
First, we need to understand how they work...
(📷: Salix)
February 13, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Tagging @robyngrant.bsky.social, who got me excited about whiskers!
Or teacup alligators with shivering, nervous dispositions. 😁
February 13, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Or teacup alligators with shivering, nervous dispositions. 😁
Amazing! Thank you for sharing!
February 13, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Amazing! Thank you for sharing!
They were omnivores that probably ate a lot of bugs, were high-speed runners (cursorial). Kind of a Triassic version of a squirrel?
Now I'm trying to picture a Louisiana alligator the rough shape & height of a horse emerging from the swamp at night, eyes glowing.
Sweet dreams, y'all.
Now I'm trying to picture a Louisiana alligator the rough shape & height of a horse emerging from the swamp at night, eyes glowing.
Sweet dreams, y'all.
February 13, 2026 at 1:17 PM
They were omnivores that probably ate a lot of bugs, were high-speed runners (cursorial). Kind of a Triassic version of a squirrel?
Now I'm trying to picture a Louisiana alligator the rough shape & height of a horse emerging from the swamp at night, eyes glowing.
Sweet dreams, y'all.
Now I'm trying to picture a Louisiana alligator the rough shape & height of a horse emerging from the swamp at night, eyes glowing.
Sweet dreams, y'all.
The limbs probably shortened as an adaptation to a more aquatic existence: limbs create drag in water, so the short, stubby legs are just long enough to allow "hauling out."
Here's Terrestrisuchus, a little 'crocodylomorph' 76 cm (30 in) long that lived around the Late Triassic (200 MYA).
Here's Terrestrisuchus, a little 'crocodylomorph' 76 cm (30 in) long that lived around the Late Triassic (200 MYA).
February 13, 2026 at 1:17 PM
The limbs probably shortened as an adaptation to a more aquatic existence: limbs create drag in water, so the short, stubby legs are just long enough to allow "hauling out."
Here's Terrestrisuchus, a little 'crocodylomorph' 76 cm (30 in) long that lived around the Late Triassic (200 MYA).
Here's Terrestrisuchus, a little 'crocodylomorph' 76 cm (30 in) long that lived around the Late Triassic (200 MYA).
Modern alligators & crocodiles are basically the Corgi or Dachshund version of their early ancestors, "pseudosuchian archosaurs".
Early crocodylomorphs were much smaller, but had long legs & may have been partially bipedal: running on all fours, but capable of climbing and snatching with forelimbs.
Early crocodylomorphs were much smaller, but had long legs & may have been partially bipedal: running on all fours, but capable of climbing and snatching with forelimbs.
a warm welcome to galahadosuchus, a small crocodylomorph from late triassic england 🐊 the holotype was previously referred to terrestrisuchus, but bodenham et al. redescribe it as a separate taxon in their #openacess paper
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
February 13, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Modern alligators & crocodiles are basically the Corgi or Dachshund version of their early ancestors, "pseudosuchian archosaurs".
Early crocodylomorphs were much smaller, but had long legs & may have been partially bipedal: running on all fours, but capable of climbing and snatching with forelimbs.
Early crocodylomorphs were much smaller, but had long legs & may have been partially bipedal: running on all fours, but capable of climbing and snatching with forelimbs.
Reposted by c0nc0rdance
Discworld QOTD, from Wyrd Sisters
February 11, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Discworld QOTD, from Wyrd Sisters
Looks like a lovely day for it.
February 13, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Looks like a lovely day for it.
... but it's possible that the association with draining water from inlets, river mouths was applied to cloth, or association with villages that made cloth?
February 13, 2026 at 12:48 PM
... but it's possible that the association with draining water from inlets, river mouths was applied to cloth, or association with villages that made cloth?
Also possible:
Old English 'wīc' means "village", hence Norwich, Sandwich, Lundenwic (= London).
Old Norse 'vik' meant inlet or harbor, which might imply drainage. Since they founded villages on river-mouths, this may be linked to 'wīc.'
So I think the most likely origin is 'woven material'...
Old English 'wīc' means "village", hence Norwich, Sandwich, Lundenwic (= London).
Old Norse 'vik' meant inlet or harbor, which might imply drainage. Since they founded villages on river-mouths, this may be linked to 'wīc.'
So I think the most likely origin is 'woven material'...
February 13, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Also possible:
Old English 'wīc' means "village", hence Norwich, Sandwich, Lundenwic (= London).
Old Norse 'vik' meant inlet or harbor, which might imply drainage. Since they founded villages on river-mouths, this may be linked to 'wīc.'
So I think the most likely origin is 'woven material'...
Old English 'wīc' means "village", hence Norwich, Sandwich, Lundenwic (= London).
Old Norse 'vik' meant inlet or harbor, which might imply drainage. Since they founded villages on river-mouths, this may be linked to 'wīc.'
So I think the most likely origin is 'woven material'...
Great question. Two theories.
The likely one. Wēoce in Old English meant something like "woven object": the product of a loom or twining.
A candle's wick was specifically 'candelwēoce', for example, presumably to differentiate it from clothing or yarn.
The likely one. Wēoce in Old English meant something like "woven object": the product of a loom or twining.
A candle's wick was specifically 'candelwēoce', for example, presumably to differentiate it from clothing or yarn.
February 13, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Great question. Two theories.
The likely one. Wēoce in Old English meant something like "woven object": the product of a loom or twining.
A candle's wick was specifically 'candelwēoce', for example, presumably to differentiate it from clothing or yarn.
The likely one. Wēoce in Old English meant something like "woven object": the product of a loom or twining.
A candle's wick was specifically 'candelwēoce', for example, presumably to differentiate it from clothing or yarn.
That all looks pretty fantastic.
February 13, 2026 at 3:29 AM
That all looks pretty fantastic.