Member Webinar September 16: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep with Roger Pasquier
Everybody enjoys watching birds during the daytime, but what do they do at night, when they seem to disappear? Birds need sleep as much as we do, and they have evolved unique sleep habits to match their intensely energetic lifestyle. Instead of long stretches of obliviousness, they sleep in short bouts of several seconds or a few minutes, waking up to look around for danger, and then going back to sleep. To increase their vigilance, birds can sleep, shutting off only half their brain and one eye at a time, leaving them able to respond instantly to any alarm. The social habits of sleeping birds are also distinctive. Most are solitary, some sleep in pairs or families, while others gain advantages of warmth, safety, and even social needs like finding a mate, by joining in flocks, not to mention guidance on where to get breakfast the next day.
Join Roger Pasquier on September 16 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM for a member webinar about birds and sleep.
To register for the webinar log into your member account and got to Member Resources.
Roger Pasquier is an associate in the Department of Ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History. His career has been in ornithology and in conservation, at BirdLife International, World Wildlife Fund-US, Environmental Defense Fund, and National Audubon Society. He is the author of several books on birds. Roger is a native New Yorker. His favorite birding places are Central Park and the Peruvian rainforest, and he enjoys his occasional visits to Mount Auburn.

News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Lake Umbagog & Region, NH
New Hampshire - Lake Umbagog Region NH, United StatesWAIT LIST ONLY OVERNIGHT TRIPS IN JUNE 2024 Umbagog and Region, New Hampshire. This trip is offered twice in early June. We visit Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, and journey to Dixville Notch for boreal species. Possible sightings include Black-backed Woodpecker, Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee, 20+ species of breeding warblers, and nesting ducks. We [...]
Mount Holyoke to the Quabbin (CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER)
Hadley - Skinner State Park 99 Old Mountain Rd, Hadley, MA, United StatesCanceled due to weather. No make-up date.
Gore Place, Waltham
Watertown - Gore Place 52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA, United StatesWe will walk around the farm fields and gardens at the Gore Place then venture across Waltham Street to adjacent conservation land. Free for BBC and Gore Place members. Preregistration required at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=228497
Belle Isle Marsh and Vicinity
East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United StatesLed by DCR staff. We will search on foot up to one mile on flat, easy terrain, for migrating or resident songbirds, raptors, shorebirds, and marsh birds at this birding hotspot and state park. This is a traveling program by car or bike. Prepare for ticks and mosquitoes. Ages: Adults and kids 8 years+ with [...]
Mass. Audubon Boston Nature Center
Mattapan - MAS Boston Nature Center 500 Walk Hill St, Mattapan, MA, United StatesJoin us to observe resident birds and spring migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare birds. Birders of all levels will enjoy this walk The trails are flat and easy to walk. Be sure to wear a hat and waterproof footwear and pack water. [...]