Natalie Wright, Ph.D.
@coereba.bsky.social
Ornithologist, evolutionary ecologist, morphologist, mom, knitter, reader, lover of bananaquits. she/her 🏳️🌈 Associate Professor of Biology at Kenyon College. wrightlab.org
Pinned
Hi! I’m an ornithologist at a small liberal arts college studying the ecology & evolution of bird anatomy & flight. Follow for fun bird trivia, discussions on effective teaching & mentoring, knitting, & my kids’ hijinks.
Yes, I AM holding a kingfisher sternum in my profile pic. Thanks for noticing!
Yes, I AM holding a kingfisher sternum in my profile pic. Thanks for noticing!
Reposted by Natalie Wright, Ph.D.
actually this is great. I am really looking forward to the first time a student turns in a paper on Machiavelli’s The Prince that tries, in the fourth paragraph, to sell me viagra as the fastest path to virtu
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
OpenAI Reportedly Planning to Make ChatGPT "Prioritize" Advertisers in Conversation
OpenAI employees working on ChatGPT report plans to unleash sponsored advertisements above organic results.
futurism.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:38 AM
actually this is great. I am really looking forward to the first time a student turns in a paper on Machiavelli’s The Prince that tries, in the fourth paragraph, to sell me viagra as the fastest path to virtu
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
Each year since I began studying birds, my mother has given me bird Christmas ornaments. This year she gave me two species I’ve studied extensively, a Ptilinopus fruit dove, and a House Sparrow. They join my large collection of bird ornaments on my tree.
December 30, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Each year since I began studying birds, my mother has given me bird Christmas ornaments. This year she gave me two species I’ve studied extensively, a Ptilinopus fruit dove, and a House Sparrow. They join my large collection of bird ornaments on my tree.
My son just shouted “RELEASE THE BEAGLE!” and I’m a little concerned.
December 29, 2025 at 4:03 PM
My son just shouted “RELEASE THE BEAGLE!” and I’m a little concerned.
My mom: I wonder what’s been causing your headaches this week.
*my children run by, screaming*
Me: 👀🙄
*my children run by, screaming*
Me: 👀🙄
December 28, 2025 at 3:39 PM
My mom: I wonder what’s been causing your headaches this week.
*my children run by, screaming*
Me: 👀🙄
*my children run by, screaming*
Me: 👀🙄
Christmas delights: charcuterie board lunch and apple pie for dessert.
December 25, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Christmas delights: charcuterie board lunch and apple pie for dessert.
My parents want to watch the Jaguars vs Broncos game today at my house in Ohio. The internet says there are many ways to stream it live. Any bets on how long it takes two boomers to figure out how to get the game on their phones or my tv?
December 21, 2025 at 6:51 PM
My parents want to watch the Jaguars vs Broncos game today at my house in Ohio. The internet says there are many ways to stream it live. Any bets on how long it takes two boomers to figure out how to get the game on their phones or my tv?
My 7yo *whispers*: Mommy, your tummy is fat but I love you anyways.
December 20, 2025 at 11:50 PM
My 7yo *whispers*: Mommy, your tummy is fat but I love you anyways.
Reposted by Natalie Wright, Ph.D.
I said “it sounds like you’re just feeding municipal vehicles to the hill” and the mayor of Montreal started crying
if tumblr dies I need this video to make it's seasonal rotation here instead just in case, Happy holidays 🎄
December 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I said “it sounds like you’re just feeding municipal vehicles to the hill” and the mayor of Montreal started crying
This article will be bringing me joy for days. Laugh out loud hilarity.
"Profits collapsed. Newsroom morale soared."
Amazing piece from @joannastern.bsky.social
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/anth...
Amazing piece from @joannastern.bsky.social
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/anth...
We Let AI Run Our Office Vending Machine. It Lost Hundreds of Dollars.
An AI agent ran a snack operation in the WSJ newsroom. It gave away a free PlayStation, ordered a live fish—and taught us lessons about the future of AI.
www.wsj.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
This article will be bringing me joy for days. Laugh out loud hilarity.
Reposted by Natalie Wright, Ph.D.
Must read gift article below for my fellow AI luddites. These same companies want AI involved in healthcare 😵💫
"Profits collapsed. Newsroom morale soared."
Amazing piece from @joannastern.bsky.social
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/anth...
Amazing piece from @joannastern.bsky.social
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/anth...
We Let AI Run Our Office Vending Machine. It Lost Hundreds of Dollars.
An AI agent ran a snack operation in the WSJ newsroom. It gave away a free PlayStation, ordered a live fish—and taught us lessons about the future of AI.
www.wsj.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Must read gift article below for my fellow AI luddites. These same companies want AI involved in healthcare 😵💫
I made Swedish buns for Saint Lucia’s day (a day late). I make them almost every year around this time, to celebrate Saint Lucia’s day or solstice or Christmas, and they’re always so good I wonder why I don’t make them more often.
December 15, 2025 at 1:25 AM
I made Swedish buns for Saint Lucia’s day (a day late). I make them almost every year around this time, to celebrate Saint Lucia’s day or solstice or Christmas, and they’re always so good I wonder why I don’t make them more often.
When the weather outside is frightful and we have places to be, this is how we travel. By the time we were on our way home, the roads were terrible, but the sidewalks were perfect for sledding home on.
December 14, 2025 at 5:07 PM
When the weather outside is frightful and we have places to be, this is how we travel. By the time we were on our way home, the roads were terrible, but the sidewalks were perfect for sledding home on.
It’s 8°F outside, December in Ohio, and from my bedroom I am hearing a Carolina Wren singing teakettle-teakettle-teakettle over and over again.
Go home Carl, you’re drunk.
(Yes, this bird’s name is Carl)
Go home Carl, you’re drunk.
(Yes, this bird’s name is Carl)
December 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM
It’s 8°F outside, December in Ohio, and from my bedroom I am hearing a Carolina Wren singing teakettle-teakettle-teakettle over and over again.
Go home Carl, you’re drunk.
(Yes, this bird’s name is Carl)
Go home Carl, you’re drunk.
(Yes, this bird’s name is Carl)
Reposted by Natalie Wright, Ph.D.
you ever think about how buck wild it must have been to be the first European colonizer to see a hummingbird?
“i saw a tiny bug that was also a bird, and it had hatred in its heart.”
“i saw a tiny bug that was also a bird, and it had hatred in its heart.”
December 11, 2025 at 9:18 PM
you ever think about how buck wild it must have been to be the first European colonizer to see a hummingbird?
“i saw a tiny bug that was also a bird, and it had hatred in its heart.”
“i saw a tiny bug that was also a bird, and it had hatred in its heart.”
Plus you can administer it yourself, at home!
Little kids in the US typically can’t get flu vaccines at pharmacies - they have to go to their pediatrician. Which add an extra layer of hassle & difficulty. This is much easier for many families.
Little kids in the US typically can’t get flu vaccines at pharmacies - they have to go to their pediatrician. Which add an extra layer of hassle & difficulty. This is much easier for many families.
I just found out you can get the FluMist flu vaccine delivered to your house now. It’s free with most insurance. Delivery cost me $9 for my family’s doses, but if your kids really can’t deal with needles this is a super-big deal.
www.flumist.com
www.flumist.com
FluMist® (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal) | Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine
Discover FluMist® (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal) – a needle-free nasal spray flu vaccine that helps protect against seasonal influenza. Learn how it works and who it's for.
www.flumist.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Plus you can administer it yourself, at home!
Little kids in the US typically can’t get flu vaccines at pharmacies - they have to go to their pediatrician. Which add an extra layer of hassle & difficulty. This is much easier for many families.
Little kids in the US typically can’t get flu vaccines at pharmacies - they have to go to their pediatrician. Which add an extra layer of hassle & difficulty. This is much easier for many families.
The actual price for most families at the college I teach at, Kenyon, is MUCH lower than the sticker price. Absolutely worth looking into small private colleges, especially for low income families. Many (including Kenyon) have aid packages & scholarships such that the lowest income students pay $0.
As parents are helping their kids consider colleges, this is my perennial reminder that state schools often have lower price tags, yes, but private schools, including many small liberal arts schools, often have better aid packages, and are thus often cheaper in the end (but may be more competitive).
December 10, 2025 at 12:32 AM
The actual price for most families at the college I teach at, Kenyon, is MUCH lower than the sticker price. Absolutely worth looking into small private colleges, especially for low income families. Many (including Kenyon) have aid packages & scholarships such that the lowest income students pay $0.
Reposted by Natalie Wright, Ph.D.
As parents are helping their kids consider colleges, this is my perennial reminder that state schools often have lower price tags, yes, but private schools, including many small liberal arts schools, often have better aid packages, and are thus often cheaper in the end (but may be more competitive).
December 9, 2025 at 10:42 PM
As parents are helping their kids consider colleges, this is my perennial reminder that state schools often have lower price tags, yes, but private schools, including many small liberal arts schools, often have better aid packages, and are thus often cheaper in the end (but may be more competitive).
I am in the situation every knitter has been preparing for, but rarely finds themselves in: emergency knitting needed. My aunt hurt her shoulder, and putting on long-sleeved shirts hurts. She wants long fingerless gloves, but is allergic to wool. Doesn’t like the feel of acrylic. She needs alpaca.
December 7, 2025 at 12:26 AM
I am in the situation every knitter has been preparing for, but rarely finds themselves in: emergency knitting needed. My aunt hurt her shoulder, and putting on long-sleeved shirts hurts. She wants long fingerless gloves, but is allergic to wool. Doesn’t like the feel of acrylic. She needs alpaca.
I love my local bookstore. I asked for picture book recommendations for kids who own a lot of books & got recommendations of gorgeous & hilarious books that are either new or not super popular, so my gift recipients likely won’t already own them.
Plus they’re gift wrapping for me for free.
Plus they’re gift wrapping for me for free.
December 6, 2025 at 5:48 PM
I love my local bookstore. I asked for picture book recommendations for kids who own a lot of books & got recommendations of gorgeous & hilarious books that are either new or not super popular, so my gift recipients likely won’t already own them.
Plus they’re gift wrapping for me for free.
Plus they’re gift wrapping for me for free.
Reposted by Natalie Wright, Ph.D.
Great question!
1) First and foremost, we evaluate a candidate based on the departmental guidelines and expectations provided. We don't hold the candidate to arbitrary standards, or even to those of our own institution unless asked to do so. We assess the materials against the guidelines provided.
1) First and foremost, we evaluate a candidate based on the departmental guidelines and expectations provided. We don't hold the candidate to arbitrary standards, or even to those of our own institution unless asked to do so. We assess the materials against the guidelines provided.
Dear senior profs who have written tenure letters.
Can you help demystify the process for some junior profs up for tenure soon?
What do you look for? How do you make your evaluation?
We are told that the letters are the most important part of the file, but not what letter writers look for.
1/
Can you help demystify the process for some junior profs up for tenure soon?
What do you look for? How do you make your evaluation?
We are told that the letters are the most important part of the file, but not what letter writers look for.
1/
December 4, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Great question!
1) First and foremost, we evaluate a candidate based on the departmental guidelines and expectations provided. We don't hold the candidate to arbitrary standards, or even to those of our own institution unless asked to do so. We assess the materials against the guidelines provided.
1) First and foremost, we evaluate a candidate based on the departmental guidelines and expectations provided. We don't hold the candidate to arbitrary standards, or even to those of our own institution unless asked to do so. We assess the materials against the guidelines provided.
Reposted by Natalie Wright, Ph.D.
the thing about extra-time accommodations is that either they help you a lot or they don't matter much, and if they help you a lot that is evidence that you should get them
Even by the standards of The Atlantic, this is an extraordinarily weak evidence base for an article.
Data from a tiny handful of schools that isn't measuring the variable at issue and a few thin, secondhand anecdotes.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
Data from a tiny handful of schools that isn't measuring the variable at issue and a few thin, secondhand anecdotes.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
December 2, 2025 at 7:53 PM
the thing about extra-time accommodations is that either they help you a lot or they don't matter much, and if they help you a lot that is evidence that you should get them
Reposted by Natalie Wright, Ph.D.
Help out an undergraduate student researcher with their survey project on patients' and providers' perspectives on treatments for PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Further description and contact info in opening page at the survey URL or QR code. Thank you!
November 4, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Help out an undergraduate student researcher with their survey project on patients' and providers' perspectives on treatments for PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Further description and contact info in opening page at the survey URL or QR code. Thank you!
Reposted by Natalie Wright, Ph.D.
If your man doesn't treat you like a white-breasted nuthatch, LEAVE HIM
December 2, 2025 at 12:18 AM
If your man doesn't treat you like a white-breasted nuthatch, LEAVE HIM
At age 75, Wisdom’s smoky eye remains unparalleled.
December 1, 2025 at 12:33 PM
At age 75, Wisdom’s smoky eye remains unparalleled.
Reposted by Natalie Wright, Ph.D.
Wisdom update! Her mate is back, too! Wisdom is *at least* 75 years old, the oldest living wild bird that we know of. Birds are amazing!
#birds #albatross #conservation
#birds #albatross #conservation
November 30, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Wisdom update! Her mate is back, too! Wisdom is *at least* 75 years old, the oldest living wild bird that we know of. Birds are amazing!
#birds #albatross #conservation
#birds #albatross #conservation