Marcia Bonta

  • Jaybirds

    Jaybirds

    Every winter my feeder birds are mostly the same, both in species and numbers. But usually there is at least one surprise, even in winters when no northern finch irruptions occur. Last winter was the year of blue jays, often nicknamed “jaybirds” because of their calls. We live tucked away by ourselves atop a mountain…

  • Bird Brains

    Bird Brains

    Don’t call anyone a bird brain unless you are complimenting them. In the last couple decades, researchers worldwide have been discovering how amazing bird brains are. That should not be a surprise since feathered winged animals that fly have been evolving on earth for more than 150 million years, according to recent genetic analyses. Neuroscientists…