Ologies with Alie Ward Oology (EGGS) with John Bates
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Aug 14, 2018 Dive into the world of bird eggs with oologist Dr. John Bates at the Field Museum of Chicago. From speckled eggs to pigeon mysteries, explore modern research, Easter myths, and the possibility of hatching chickens from grocery store eggs. Prepare for a wild ride of eggstraordinary facts and beautiful sights!
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Egg Collections as Historic Data
- Bird egg collections provide detailed natural history data beyond physical specimens.
- These data help track changes in bird behavior, including shifts due to climate change.
Egg Collecting Dangers and Drama
- Amateur egg collectors often risked legal trouble and personal injury.
- One collector was shot at and escaped holding a giant raptor egg in his mouth, breaking his teeth to keep it.
Museum Eggs Reveal DDT Impact
- Studies on eggshell thinning due to DDT relied on museum egg collections.
- Historic egg specimens enabled understanding of population declines in birds like peregrine falcons and bald eagles.