Evolution in an Urbanizing World
Walid-Dani Kaki “In none of his works did Nature show her originality more than in insects”(Pliny the Elder) In recent years we have seen a steady decline in biodiversity, with devastating consequences for the natural world and human populations. The tendency of people to migrate to urban areas has led to their chaotic development at... Continue Reading →
A couple of weeks ago in Detroit, a ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) was spotted crossing a major urban road, seemingly to get to a nearby park! Although the details of this individual are hard to see in the photo, the presence of a white ring around its neck when zoomed in and the long, pointed... Continue Reading →
Wow, last month dolphins were spotted swimming in the Bronx River for the first time in over five years! Check out the video tweeted by NYC Parks below. https://twitter.com/NYCParks/status/1616138540672516098 The Bronx River is the only freshwater river in NYC and used to be a thriving, abundantly diverse ecosystem. In the 1840s, the New York Central... Continue Reading →
Check out this Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) soaring over the suburban streets of Texas! These birds are usually seen in more rural environments, such as farmlands or long stretches of road, but I was pleasantly surprised to have this bird soar close over my head as I walked my dog. Check out the nictitating membrane... Continue Reading →
Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are normally seen in many urban areas as a consequence of the pet trade. They are native to the Southeastern United States, and as such, they are quite prevalent in Texas suburbs. Despite their closeness to humans, these turtles can be more skittish than any bird. I took a picture... Continue Reading →
As this tepid winter sweeps through NYC, a few careful eyes may spot a peculiar sight lounging in the mid-afternoon sun of our urban park spaces. Turtles, out and about in the middle of December! This Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) was found on December 9, 2022, at 2:06 pm; it was one of nearly... Continue Reading →
When I returned to my hometown suburb in Texas, I was greeted by the familiar sight of Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata) hanging out in and around the numerous constructed wetlands that keep my suburb from going underwater. Notably, male Muscovy Ducks are the largest duck in North America! Despite being such a common sight in... Continue Reading →
Ever notice these long-necked denizens of NYC? Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are a familiar sight in many parks and open spaces within the city, leading complex lives. New York City boasts 3 of the 7 subspecies of the Canada Goose, and it may come as a shock to know that the one subspecies we observe... Continue Reading →
While huddled up in a nook on my apartment's rooftop, camera set up and aimed at the skies above, I briefly witnessed a skirmish between a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). I was able to document the interaction above my head with the featured image above. I feel so honored... Continue Reading →
One of the last things many people expect to see at 2:13 pm is a rat in a tree! Popular belief holds that rodents are nocturnal, but as we see here with this Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus), they can and will be active during daylight hours. Brought to the United States by European ships, the... Continue Reading →
Check out this Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) sauntering about the busy streets of Leicester! https://twitter.com/Hannam79/status/1602660747997216770 This species of swan is native to most of Europe and has been introduced to the eastern United States. They reside in various aquatic ecosystems, including urban lakes and ponds. However, as this tweet's author stated, they don't often take... Continue Reading →
Check out this fun-loving gull and its new toy! https://twitter.com/GarethUnwin85/status/1597610347212734464 This gull seen last week at Queen's Park in Brighton, UK, seems to have been enjoying a game of tennis! Gulls species are notoriously difficult to differentiate. There are more than 50 species of gulls, the majority being part of the genus Larus. If observing... Continue Reading →
Check out these dueling kangaroos in a park in Australia's Gold Coast region! New Yorkers are used to seeing squirrels and rats roam around, but Australian residents sometimes encounter much larger mammal species in their cities. There are four species of kangaroos that occupy different ranges across the Australian continent. The Red Kangaroo, Macropus rufus, is... Continue Reading →
While I was out birding on Governor's Island, My friends and I came across this old traffic cone. It stood out to me as a sore thumb, a bright red monolith in a lawn of green grass. My curiosity led me to peek inside, and lo and behold! There was a Common House Spider (Parasteatoda... Continue Reading →
Check out this Great Blue Heron's fun new perch! Kate spotted a heron sitting very comfortably on a discarded deck chair in Surrey, BC. Based on the condition of that chair, looks like lots of individuals have been utilizing this transplant toilet! Do you have a photo or video of an urban species doing something... Continue Reading →
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