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>
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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>
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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>
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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>