March 03, 2012

"Teensy Backpacks" Solve an Avian Mystery

Image from Slater Museum, Tacoma
Today's Denver Post describes research into a long-standing avian mystery—where do the black swifts that nest in Colorado migrate to in the fall?
Don't yawn, nonbirders. Stick with the story because this is an avian yarn that involves dicey climbs behind waterfalls and pitch-black, ladder-toting hikes to remote caves. It has interesting elements such as itsy-bitsy bird backpacks on what look like flying cigars. It is underscored with a dying man's devotion to "the coolest bird."
Good graphics at the Post site. This birding blog was discussing the geolocating technology used on the swifts back in 20120.

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