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.
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🏴☠️.
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. 😬
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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).
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.
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
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.
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'...
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.