The Daily Croissant

"The most comprehensive family tree for birds yet connects all living bird species—nearly 10,000 in total—and reveals surprising new details about their origins."

“We used fossils and genetic data to estimate the ages of all the different branches of the bird tree so that we could assess how diversity has accumulated through time,” says Gavin Thomas. See the full diagram . (Credit: U. Sheffield)

by Jose Luis Rodriguez, Avila (Spain)

A group of European Bee-eaters on a branch on a frosty morning in May.

The Stork Nest is actually a riding arena...

"When Design studio SGL Projeckt was hired to rennovate an old farmstead into a event and recreation center, they found the property was already in use. Since 1926, storks migrating from Africa had come back to the farm to nest in it's chiminey. Inspired by the dedication of the birds and the unassuming simplicity of their nest designs, the architects built a riding arena resembling a giant bird's nest.

The arena, which can be used for riding but also modified quickly for presentations or events, is 34 meters in diameter and 12.5 meters tall. Built with “arced glulam timber beams covered in translucent polycarbonate and a woven nest of oak logs”, the arena can hold up to 200 people for an event, and it's organic design provides ventilation, shade, and a natural skylight."

"Josh Williams sings Mordecai at the Doyle Lawson Bluegrass Festival at Denton Farm Park in Denton, NC on May 5, 2011. During this song, a small bird lands on Josh's guitar while he's singing. Watch his reaction as he keeps his cool and finishes the song."

Notice how intently the little bird watches and listens to Josh !