Check out the pectinate claw, or serrated talon, on adult #BarnOwls. Thought to be useful in grooming that immaculate feathered head and facial disc, and possibly for combing out ectoparasites.

My master's research describing Hg trends of raptors in North America was just accepted for publication. I'm excited this study will highlight the role raptors play in biomonitoring environmental contaminants/health in North America. Looking forward to sharing. #raptorresearch

#Mercury pollution is a global issue impacting human and wildlife health. Since raptors are indicators of environmental health, we analyzed Hg in #Merlin feathers in North America. Our findings reveal differential Hg exposure across their breeding range. link.springer.com/article/10.100…

We assessed #Hg in archived feathers collected from raptor populations that migrate along the Pacific Flyway. #Raptors that specialize in hunting avian prey generally feed at a higher trophic level, which may explain the elevated Hg levels in species like the #SharpshinnedHawk.

Higher trophic levels= higher mercury exposure. Not good news for #raptors (but a great study by Ryan Bourbour Breanna Martinico)

ACCEPTED for publication in BOU 👩🏻‍🏫👨🏿‍🏫🧕🏽👳🏽‍♂️ 🌈 Population genetics and phylogeography of North American Merlins (Falco columbarius) in the post-DDT era | onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.111… Breanna Martinico et al. Ryan Bourbour | #ornithology

Second winter field season is underway! This fierce lady had blood on her beak! Can’t wait to see what she caught🧬

What’s on the menu for American Kestrels spending winter on California farms? 🧬🐛🦗🦎🐦🐭🧬 Check out Mary Badger 🦅 🧬’s poster for some preliminary results!: researchgate.net/publication/36… Breanna Martinico GVL #RaptorResearch

Sunflower fields are home to giant spiders where dragonfly is on the menu! #wildag Sara Kross

#Farms, #birds, and a low-setting sun...#YoloCounty in a nutshell Breanna Martinico

California quail prefer spicy-hot...#wildag deep in the pepper fields Breanna Martinico

Dead fish in a drying pond near Zamora CA. Shorebirds using last water left here.

Last day of #fieldwork in the sunflower fields: depressed-looking sunflowers and Fall migrants Sara Kross Breanna Martinico

How global warming threatens the survival of Joshua trees in Joshua Tree NP desert.sn/1mDPGHo #IPCC #climatechange

Looking for migratory raptors? Alfalfa fields won't let you down. #coyotevalley #WildAg

Farm predator CSI: Barn owl diet study wildfarms.weebly.com/blog/farm-pred…

Here is my favorite #turkey documentary. 'My Life as a Turkey' from PBS nature - pbs.org/wnet/nature/my… Watch it now, it's awesome!

Bumblebees lose foraging skills after exposure to systemic neonicotinoid pesticides wp.me/pJ91e-h1E #environment

Stay tuned for info about winter #raptors habitat and perch preferences in #yoloCty from upcoming research by Breanna Martinico & @rypedx #WildAg

California: Threat to rare local condors is pervasive, study says: goo.gl/gUGOq3