Keynotes

Imagine for a moment slamming your face into a brick wall at 16 miles per hour. This self-destructive (and foolish) act would require about 1,200 g of force. Yet, a Pileated Woodpecker exerts the same force up to 20 times per second, and as many as 12,000 times per day, pounding its head into trees! The woodpecker anatomy is perfectly suited for its climbing and excavating lifestyle. Some woodpecker species also possess adaptations for aerial acrobatics, for drilling sap wells, or for extracting ants from underground burrows. Dive deep into the world of woodpecker specialization with Steve on Thursday evening.
Fee: $10; Registration Required

Moose Peterson’s passion for birds began at age nine and has grown exponentially ever since! For forty years he has traveled the globe, seeking out what makes each bird species unique and returns to share those insights. Join him as he shares some of his favorite 900 bird species, their stories, and the unique place they hold in our wild heritage.
Fee: $10; Registration Required

Birds are fascinating to watch, and not just because they are beautiful. Did you ever see a bird do something funny and ask yourself, “Now why did that bird do that?” Understanding bird behavior can be tricky, but Kevin will provide us with a framework to help comprehend and appreciate why birds do the things they do. Birds aren’t tiny little flying people, and they don’t have the same needs and motivations that we do. Can you think like a bird?
Fee: $10; Registration Required