Andrew Iwaniuk
@evoneuro.bsky.social
neurobiologist, ornithologist, scruffy looking nerfherder, social distancing since 1974, currently at U Lethbridge, Treaty 7 lands
🇨🇦 🇦🇺 stuff
open access link for our book: https://direct.mit.edu/books/oa-monograph/6000/Bird-Brains-and-BehaviorA-Synthesis
🇨🇦 🇦🇺 stuff
open access link for our book: https://direct.mit.edu/books/oa-monograph/6000/Bird-Brains-and-BehaviorA-Synthesis
Pinned
Andrew Iwaniuk
@evoneuro.bsky.social
· Jul 2
In celebration of me avoiding becoming department chair for the next 3 years and receiving a new research chair, please enjoy one of my favourite parrot photos from two years ago.
Crimson rosella (Platycercus elegans)
#birds #birding #academicsky #WildOz #parrots 🪶🦜🇨🇦🇦🇺
Crimson rosella (Platycercus elegans)
#birds #birding #academicsky #WildOz #parrots 🪶🦜🇨🇦🇦🇺
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
Raccoons break into liquor stores, scale skyscrapers and pick locks. A behavioral neuroscientist explains what we've been missing about one of the animal kingdom's most underestimated minds. buff.ly/Uxj7boZ
Raccoons break into liquor stores, scale skyscrapers and pick locks – studying their clever brains can clarify human intelligence, too
Trash pandas’ talent for escaping via lab vents may frustrate researchers, but their problem-solving skills make their brains a fascinating area of research.
theconversation.com
January 18, 2026 at 2:39 AM
Raccoons break into liquor stores, scale skyscrapers and pick locks. A behavioral neuroscientist explains what we've been missing about one of the animal kingdom's most underestimated minds. buff.ly/Uxj7boZ
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
Powerful Owlet at dusk yesterday in a Brisbane Park. At dusk it flew across the park to some nearby houses where it attempted to take a Brushtail Possum walking along a telephone wire. It missed, but the Possum and the Owl sat on the wire together for some 5 minutes.
#brisbane #birds #wildoz
#brisbane #birds #wildoz
January 16, 2026 at 4:29 AM
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
Alongside “AI colonialism”, the other big worry with this is that modelling results are never confronted with reality, they exist in some kind of desk-based bubble. All models are wrong, only some are useful. It’s by going out & touching the grass that we can sort the useful from the nonsensical.
#AI is transforming #ecology — but at what cost? A new #Nature piece warns that as models, drones & remote sensing boom, many scientists are spending less time outdoors (“I rarely get outside”). Are we losing essential natural-history insight? 🌿🤖
🧪🌍🌐
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🧪🌍🌐
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
January 14, 2026 at 11:17 AM
Alongside “AI colonialism”, the other big worry with this is that modelling results are never confronted with reality, they exist in some kind of desk-based bubble. All models are wrong, only some are useful. It’s by going out & touching the grass that we can sort the useful from the nonsensical.
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
Got the first one!
Juvie that got measured and got some bling (band). No GPS tag cause the mortality is too high for this age so just some bling…
#GoldenEagle #WomeninRaptorResearch #RaptorResearch 🪶
Juvie that got measured and got some bling (band). No GPS tag cause the mortality is too high for this age so just some bling…
#GoldenEagle #WomeninRaptorResearch #RaptorResearch 🪶
January 15, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Got the first one!
Juvie that got measured and got some bling (band). No GPS tag cause the mortality is too high for this age so just some bling…
#GoldenEagle #WomeninRaptorResearch #RaptorResearch 🪶
Juvie that got measured and got some bling (band). No GPS tag cause the mortality is too high for this age so just some bling…
#GoldenEagle #WomeninRaptorResearch #RaptorResearch 🪶
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
Update on some of our decades long cowbird research in @audubon.org magazine: www.audubon.org/magazine/got...
Got Beef With Cowbirds? This Researcher Wants to Change Your Mind
The nest parasites get a bad rap for making other birds raise their young, but study by study, Mark Hauber and his “Cowbird Lab” have revealed a species worthy of respect.
www.audubon.org
January 15, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Update on some of our decades long cowbird research in @audubon.org magazine: www.audubon.org/magazine/got...
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
The total NSF budget was 9 billion. I doubt they spend 89% of it on quail.
January 15, 2026 at 9:21 PM
The total NSF budget was 9 billion. I doubt they spend 89% of it on quail.
#academicsky #Canada
Some good points here but I would also add that the average Canadian does not seem to care about higher education. There is onus on post secondary institutions to try to fix that but I don’t see it ever happening.
Some good points here but I would also add that the average Canadian does not seem to care about higher education. There is onus on post secondary institutions to try to fix that but I don’t see it ever happening.
ICYMI: Why the discourse on higher education in Canada is so limited.
Bonus for folks in Vancouver and Toronto: HESA is bringing a new kind of convening event to you in just a few weeks. Join us!
Bonus for folks in Vancouver and Toronto: HESA is bringing a new kind of convening event to you in just a few weeks. Join us!
How Canada Discusses Post-Secondary Education | HESA
We have an exciting little announcement for our BC and ON subscribers today – see the bottom of this blog for more details on ways we are supporting discussions and convening in the Canadian PSE secto...
higheredstrategy.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:21 PM
#academicsky #Canada
Some good points here but I would also add that the average Canadian does not seem to care about higher education. There is onus on post secondary institutions to try to fix that but I don’t see it ever happening.
Some good points here but I would also add that the average Canadian does not seem to care about higher education. There is onus on post secondary institutions to try to fix that but I don’t see it ever happening.
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
ICYMI: Why the discourse on higher education in Canada is so limited.
Bonus for folks in Vancouver and Toronto: HESA is bringing a new kind of convening event to you in just a few weeks. Join us!
Bonus for folks in Vancouver and Toronto: HESA is bringing a new kind of convening event to you in just a few weeks. Join us!
How Canada Discusses Post-Secondary Education | HESA
We have an exciting little announcement for our BC and ON subscribers today – see the bottom of this blog for more details on ways we are supporting discussions and convening in the Canadian PSE secto...
higheredstrategy.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:17 PM
ICYMI: Why the discourse on higher education in Canada is so limited.
Bonus for folks in Vancouver and Toronto: HESA is bringing a new kind of convening event to you in just a few weeks. Join us!
Bonus for folks in Vancouver and Toronto: HESA is bringing a new kind of convening event to you in just a few weeks. Join us!
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #LongBeaks, any bird with a Long Beak. #birds
It seems like the birds I photograph most ALL have long beaks, so here's a set of long beaks.
It seems like the birds I photograph most ALL have long beaks, so here's a set of long beaks.
January 15, 2026 at 1:29 AM
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #LongBeaks, any bird with a Long Beak. #birds
It seems like the birds I photograph most ALL have long beaks, so here's a set of long beaks.
It seems like the birds I photograph most ALL have long beaks, so here's a set of long beaks.
The Heritage Minutes: Wilder Penfield
It is one of the most famous Heritage Minutes ever made, all thanks to "I smell burnt toast"
And the story of Wilder Penfield is one of a man who expanded our knowledge of the brain.
It is one of the most famous Heritage Minutes ever made, all thanks to "I smell burnt toast"
And the story of Wilder Penfield is one of a man who expanded our knowledge of the brain.
January 14, 2026 at 9:48 PM
A different take on #longbeaks for #birdoftheday, a long-billed corella.
#parrots #cockatoos #WildOz
#parrots #cockatoos #WildOz
January 14, 2026 at 8:39 PM
A different take on #longbeaks for #birdoftheday, a long-billed corella.
#parrots #cockatoos #WildOz
#parrots #cockatoos #WildOz
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
A look back out our five most popular episodes of 2025!!
🎉🎉
(in order of release)
🎉🎉
(in order of release)
December 31, 2025 at 9:03 PM
A look back out our five most popular episodes of 2025!!
🎉🎉
(in order of release)
🎉🎉
(in order of release)
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
4 yr PhD studentship at the U. Edinburgh (Roslin Institute & The Roslin Foundation) to investigate the mechanism by which light exposure during artificial incubation of eggs exerts positive effects on post-hatch chicks Deadline 13/02/2026 @roslininstitute.bsky.social www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Roslin Foundation: Bright beginnings: Understanding avian photoreception in early life in relation to behaviour, physiology and welfare (Reference Number 2026-27-021) at University of Edinburgh on Fin...
PhD Project - Roslin Foundation: Bright beginnings: Understanding avian photoreception in early life in relation to behaviour, physiology and welfare (Reference Number 2026-27-021) at University of Ed...
www.findaphd.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:18 AM
4 yr PhD studentship at the U. Edinburgh (Roslin Institute & The Roslin Foundation) to investigate the mechanism by which light exposure during artificial incubation of eggs exerts positive effects on post-hatch chicks Deadline 13/02/2026 @roslininstitute.bsky.social www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
Drivers of waterbird extinction in Hawaiʻi: esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... 🪶🧪 (📷Harmon et al.)
January 13, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Drivers of waterbird extinction in Hawaiʻi: esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... 🪶🧪 (📷Harmon et al.)
The first person who tells me how great the weather is in southern Alberta this week gets punched in the throat. +15 in January is not normal. And when combined with 100 kmh winds, it is awful. #yql
January 13, 2026 at 3:03 PM
The first person who tells me how great the weather is in southern Alberta this week gets punched in the throat. +15 in January is not normal. And when combined with 100 kmh winds, it is awful. #yql
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
I haven't done this for previous cabinets, so can't say for sure if it is historically high. I suspect at least one Lib ministry in the post-93 era would be pretty close to this if not higher.
Pretty sure most of those cabinets had at least one scientist or engineer in them, though. This one? Zero.
Pretty sure most of those cabinets had at least one scientist or engineer in them, though. This one? Zero.
Lawyers as a % of the Canadian population: 0.3% (maybe 2x that if you include ppl with law degrees who don't practice).
Lawyers as a % of the Carney cabinet: 46.4%.
Lawyers as a % of the Carney cabinet: 46.4%.
January 13, 2026 at 12:49 PM
I haven't done this for previous cabinets, so can't say for sure if it is historically high. I suspect at least one Lib ministry in the post-93 era would be pretty close to this if not higher.
Pretty sure most of those cabinets had at least one scientist or engineer in them, though. This one? Zero.
Pretty sure most of those cabinets had at least one scientist or engineer in them, though. This one? Zero.
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
“Don’t feel for a minute that we don't have power. Don't think for a minute we can’t drive change.” – Dr Richard Denniss, co-CEO of The Australia Institute
Read more from Dr Richard Denniss on The Point: thepoint.com.au/news/260109-...
Read more from Dr Richard Denniss on The Point: thepoint.com.au/news/260109-...
January 12, 2026 at 12:44 AM
“Don’t feel for a minute that we don't have power. Don't think for a minute we can’t drive change.” – Dr Richard Denniss, co-CEO of The Australia Institute
Read more from Dr Richard Denniss on The Point: thepoint.com.au/news/260109-...
Read more from Dr Richard Denniss on The Point: thepoint.com.au/news/260109-...
Brilliant overview here of the ongoing debate over dinosaur cognition. In short, it's complicated and evidence is fragmentary.
#neuroethology #neuroskyence #anatomy #brains
@tetzoo.bsky.social @gallinaciega.bsky.social @nomascus.bsky.social
#neuroethology #neuroskyence #anatomy #brains
@tetzoo.bsky.social @gallinaciega.bsky.social @nomascus.bsky.social
The Continuing Debate on Dinosaur Cognition .... tetzoo.com/blog/2026/1/...
The Continuing Debate on Dinosaur Cognition — Tetrapod Zoology
The dinosaur cognition debate continues…
tetzoo.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Brilliant overview here of the ongoing debate over dinosaur cognition. In short, it's complicated and evidence is fragmentary.
#neuroethology #neuroskyence #anatomy #brains
@tetzoo.bsky.social @gallinaciega.bsky.social @nomascus.bsky.social
#neuroethology #neuroskyence #anatomy #brains
@tetzoo.bsky.social @gallinaciega.bsky.social @nomascus.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
For Canadian scholars, the reality is bleak .
Ottawa is dangling money for American researchers, but what about our own? #academicsky #neuroskyence #psychscisky
Ottawa is dangling money for American researchers, but what about our own? #academicsky #neuroskyence #psychscisky
January 12, 2026 at 11:29 AM
For Canadian scholars, the reality is bleak .
Ottawa is dangling money for American researchers, but what about our own? #academicsky #neuroskyence #psychscisky
Ottawa is dangling money for American researchers, but what about our own? #academicsky #neuroskyence #psychscisky
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
A thought for communicating neuroscience: if you're talking about (e.g.) behavioural motivation, just call it that. Don't try to "neuro it up" by referring to dopamine instead; although there's a link, if you're talking about motivation then dopamine is adding jargon, and doesn't explain anything.
January 12, 2026 at 6:09 AM
A thought for communicating neuroscience: if you're talking about (e.g.) behavioural motivation, just call it that. Don't try to "neuro it up" by referring to dopamine instead; although there's a link, if you're talking about motivation then dopamine is adding jargon, and doesn't explain anything.
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
Alberta organizes banned book buyback to keep streets safe
Alberta organizes banned book buyback to keep streets safe
Critics have argued that, while the buyback may get some books off the streets, serious readers could simply swap covers, file off ISBN numbers, or even 2D print books at home.
www.thebeaverton.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Alberta organizes banned book buyback to keep streets safe
Really hoping that the Otways National Park emerges ok from the latest bushfires. These are from 2023.
#WildOz #Australia
#WildOz #Australia
January 11, 2026 at 1:07 AM
Really hoping that the Otways National Park emerges ok from the latest bushfires. These are from 2023.
#WildOz #Australia
#WildOz #Australia
Extremely sad to see one of our favourite spots, the Otways, hit by fire again, especially when dipshit politicians continue to put our tax $$ into oil and gas.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Evacuations ordered as out-of-control fires burn in Victoria's Otways
The fires near Cape Otway and Carlisle River are moving south-east, with authorities warning conditions are volatile.
www.abc.net.au
January 10, 2026 at 4:46 AM
Extremely sad to see one of our favourite spots, the Otways, hit by fire again, especially when dipshit politicians continue to put our tax $$ into oil and gas.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Reposted by Andrew Iwaniuk
Do you know a parrot that talks or sings? Tell us about it at www.manyparrots.org @birdsingalong.bsky.social @laurynbenedict.bsky.social et al.
January 9, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Do you know a parrot that talks or sings? Tell us about it at www.manyparrots.org @birdsingalong.bsky.social @laurynbenedict.bsky.social et al.