The tree swallow is a migratory bird of the family Hirundinidae. Found in the Americas, it was first described in 1807 by French ornithologist Louis Vieillot as Hirundo bicolor. It has since been moved to the genus Tachycineta, where its phylogenetic placement is in debate. It has glossy blue-green upperparts, with the exception of the blackish wings and tail, and white underparts. The bill is black, the eyes are dark brown, and the legs and feet are pale brown. The tree swallow breeds in the US and Canada. It winters in the West Indies and from the southern US coasts to Panama and the northwestern coast of South America. It nests in isolated pairs or loose groups, in both natural and artificial cavities. Breeding can start as soon as early May (although this date is advancing because of climate change), and can end as late as July. The species is generally socially monogamous, with high levels of extra-pair paternity. An aerial insectivore, the tree swallow forages alone and in groups.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_swallow
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1762:
Seven Years' War: The Battle of Manila concluded with a British victory over Spain, leading to a short British occupation of Manila. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Manila_%281762%29
1934:
Catalonia's autonomous government declared a general strike, an armed insurgency, and the establishment of the Catalan State in reaction to the inclusion of conservatives in the republican regime of Spain. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalan_State_%281934%29
1998:
University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was attacked and fatally wounded for being gay near Laramie, Wyoming, U.S., dying six days later. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Shepard
2010:
Instagram (current logo pictured) released the initial version of its mobile application for iOS devices. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instagram
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
virtuous circle: A situation in which the solution to one problem makes each future problem easier to solve than the original one. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/virtuous_circle
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
The worst mistake of first contact, made throughout history by individuals on both sides of every new encounter, has been the unfortunate habit of making assumptions. It often proved fatal. --David Brin https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/David_Brin