Ramblings from the web

Demon Duck of Doom! Did that name inspire fear, or make you laugh? Well, if you know what's good for you, it should be a fearful name. Dromornithids were massive, carnivorous Anseriformes from Australia. Add this to Killer Kangaroos and the Megalania, the 20-foot long Varanid, and ancient Australia was a scary place.

Seabird Osteology - a neat site with photos of various seabird skulls.

The Twisted Reality of Species Invasions - Invasive species of birds are filling in native species' niches and are becoming seed dispersers for native plants. Will a new wave of species eventually adapt to all the ecological niches when Hawaii's endemic honeycreepers and their diverse bill morphologies disappear?

When the genetic variability in your markers isn't enough for phylogeography, turn to parasites. Researchers used the parasites to track colonization across the islands in Galapagos Hawk.

In this excellent post, student banders learn all about our Thrush species.

The Birdchaser laments the decline of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, a fantastic species which has taken a turn for the worse in recent years.

As in my previous post about Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow subspecies, museum specimens prove a valuable resource for ornithologists and birders alike. The Drinking Bird examines tern plumage and molt.

And finally, a wonderful collection of salamander photos from Tennessee.