Christopher Witt
@msbbirds.bsky.social
Prof & Curator @UNM, Museum of Southwestern Biology
NM Game Commissioner
Studies: bird ecology, evolution, genetics, physiology, biogeography, & toxicology
Enjoys: Birding, hunting, fishing, running
Personal account, not representing UNM or State of NM
NM Game Commissioner
Studies: bird ecology, evolution, genetics, physiology, biogeography, & toxicology
Enjoys: Birding, hunting, fishing, running
Personal account, not representing UNM or State of NM
Reposted by Christopher Witt
Hudson Bay polar bears showing a rather typical pattern this winter. Our eartag radios (purple) are slowly disappearing (most likely antenna failure).
February 10, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Hudson Bay polar bears showing a rather typical pattern this winter. Our eartag radios (purple) are slowly disappearing (most likely antenna failure).
Reposted by Christopher Witt
And the arrogance here is unsettling. Dressing down clergy in her own district instead of reflecting on the kind of leadership we need now shows she simply doesn’t get it. 3/
February 9, 2026 at 11:38 PM
And the arrogance here is unsettling. Dressing down clergy in her own district instead of reflecting on the kind of leadership we need now shows she simply doesn’t get it. 3/
Reposted by Christopher Witt
Spoke with a PI whose postdoc is trapped abroad because of social media vetting. It appears the postdoc missed disclosing one account and it's unclear if they can come back… ever.
This is the country we live in now.
This is the country we live in now.
February 7, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Spoke with a PI whose postdoc is trapped abroad because of social media vetting. It appears the postdoc missed disclosing one account and it's unclear if they can come back… ever.
This is the country we live in now.
This is the country we live in now.
Reposted by Christopher Witt
Every American needs to watch this:
February 5, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Every American needs to watch this:
Reposted by Christopher Witt
why do males defend territories in some species while pairs or family groups defend territories in others?
then-undergrad Shreyas Arashanapalli did a fantastic project to find out, analyzing 3177 playback experiments on 264 species
the best predictor?
latitude
academic.oup.com/evolut/advan...
then-undergrad Shreyas Arashanapalli did a fantastic project to find out, analyzing 3177 playback experiments on 264 species
the best predictor?
latitude
academic.oup.com/evolut/advan...
February 4, 2026 at 6:21 PM
why do males defend territories in some species while pairs or family groups defend territories in others?
then-undergrad Shreyas Arashanapalli did a fantastic project to find out, analyzing 3177 playback experiments on 264 species
the best predictor?
latitude
academic.oup.com/evolut/advan...
then-undergrad Shreyas Arashanapalli did a fantastic project to find out, analyzing 3177 playback experiments on 264 species
the best predictor?
latitude
academic.oup.com/evolut/advan...
Reposted by Christopher Witt
"Saw her in the Amazon
With the voltage runnin' through her skin
Standin' there with nothin' on
She gonna teach me how to swim"
for more about the electric (f)eel, check this primer by Ken Catania ⚡ www.cell.com/current-biol...
(and yes, finally some current biology in Current Biology)
With the voltage runnin' through her skin
Standin' there with nothin' on
She gonna teach me how to swim"
for more about the electric (f)eel, check this primer by Ken Catania ⚡ www.cell.com/current-biol...
(and yes, finally some current biology in Current Biology)
February 5, 2026 at 8:10 AM
"Saw her in the Amazon
With the voltage runnin' through her skin
Standin' there with nothin' on
She gonna teach me how to swim"
for more about the electric (f)eel, check this primer by Ken Catania ⚡ www.cell.com/current-biol...
(and yes, finally some current biology in Current Biology)
With the voltage runnin' through her skin
Standin' there with nothin' on
She gonna teach me how to swim"
for more about the electric (f)eel, check this primer by Ken Catania ⚡ www.cell.com/current-biol...
(and yes, finally some current biology in Current Biology)
Reposted by Christopher Witt
ICE detained multiple kids (all under the age of 10!) in the last week alone. Still kidnapping people based solely on the way they look. Still arresting parents at school pick up.
Nothing has changed in Minnesota. Nice words from the Admin won’t change that. ICE leaving will.
Nothing has changed in Minnesota. Nice words from the Admin won’t change that. ICE leaving will.
February 3, 2026 at 9:42 PM
ICE detained multiple kids (all under the age of 10!) in the last week alone. Still kidnapping people based solely on the way they look. Still arresting parents at school pick up.
Nothing has changed in Minnesota. Nice words from the Admin won’t change that. ICE leaving will.
Nothing has changed in Minnesota. Nice words from the Admin won’t change that. ICE leaving will.
Reposted by Christopher Witt
happening this morning in Minneapolis -- ICE agents drawing guns on observers. I reiterate again that it is only a matter of time before DHS kills more innocent people in Minnesota. Congress needs to shut this shit down right now.
February 3, 2026 at 4:19 PM
happening this morning in Minneapolis -- ICE agents drawing guns on observers. I reiterate again that it is only a matter of time before DHS kills more innocent people in Minnesota. Congress needs to shut this shit down right now.
Reposted by Christopher Witt
Black History Month is a time to recognize the lived, shared experience of all Black folks who have fundamentally shaped, challenged, and ultimately strengthened America. It’s about taking an unvarnished look at the past so that we can create a better future.
February 1, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Black History Month is a time to recognize the lived, shared experience of all Black folks who have fundamentally shaped, challenged, and ultimately strengthened America. It’s about taking an unvarnished look at the past so that we can create a better future.
Should we be surprised that a fish shaped like a dinner plate is the most studied marine animal?
Excited to present the flounder effect - how our biases in sampling and worker effort impact our view of organisms.
A long term collaboration with @fossilsndcoffee.bsky.social, @bigfacecats.bsky.social, Jon Hendricks, and Curtis Congreve!
#FossilFriday ⚒️🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
A long term collaboration with @fossilsndcoffee.bsky.social, @bigfacecats.bsky.social, Jon Hendricks, and Curtis Congreve!
#FossilFriday ⚒️🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
The flounder effect: disparities in taxonomic and ecological study intensity across extant and fossil marine organisms hamper conservation - npj Biodiversity
npj Biodiversity - The flounder effect: disparities in taxonomic and ecological study intensity across extant and fossil marine organisms hamper conservation
www.nature.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Should we be surprised that a fish shaped like a dinner plate is the most studied marine animal?
Reposted by Christopher Witt
Even the children who have not been kidnapped are victims of the gestapo
youtu.be/0Cw36_u3_7k?...
youtu.be/0Cw36_u3_7k?...
ICE Took Their Classmate. They Started Writing Letters.
YouTube video by New York Times Opinion
youtu.be
January 31, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Even the children who have not been kidnapped are victims of the gestapo
youtu.be/0Cw36_u3_7k?...
youtu.be/0Cw36_u3_7k?...
Reposted by Christopher Witt
Children. They are literally tear gassing children.
February 1, 2026 at 2:39 AM
Children. They are literally tear gassing children.
Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese flying to roost after sunset, Rio Grande valley, central New Mexico
February 1, 2026 at 6:24 AM
Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese flying to roost after sunset, Rio Grande valley, central New Mexico
Reposted by Christopher Witt
Dear @birdsoftheworld.bsky.social Cornell Lab of O,
your new phylogeny viewer is AWESOME and exactly what I wanted for years and will be an AMAZING resource for classes
BUT
you use an automatic thumbnail from the first image for each group
may we crowdsource better representative species lol
your new phylogeny viewer is AWESOME and exactly what I wanted for years and will be an AMAZING resource for classes
BUT
you use an automatic thumbnail from the first image for each group
may we crowdsource better representative species lol
January 23, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Dear @birdsoftheworld.bsky.social Cornell Lab of O,
your new phylogeny viewer is AWESOME and exactly what I wanted for years and will be an AMAZING resource for classes
BUT
you use an automatic thumbnail from the first image for each group
may we crowdsource better representative species lol
your new phylogeny viewer is AWESOME and exactly what I wanted for years and will be an AMAZING resource for classes
BUT
you use an automatic thumbnail from the first image for each group
may we crowdsource better representative species lol
Reposted by Christopher Witt
That one pintail looking like it showed up at the wrong party.
There are few Baikal Teal (Sibirionetta formosa 花脸鸭 Huāliǎn yā) wintering at the Yellow River estuary in Shandong Province. Photo by "菜小hua". #birds #china #yellowriver
January 31, 2026 at 1:46 PM
That one pintail looking like it showed up at the wrong party.
Reposted by Christopher Witt
Multiple media outlets are reporting that DOJ attempted to obtain a warrant to arrest Mr. lemon but was denied. Here is a gift link from the New York Times. so it appears this arrest of a prominent US journalist was lawless. DOJ is trying to prove a lawless point.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
Federal Agents Arrest Don Lemon Over Minnesota Church Protest
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Multiple media outlets are reporting that DOJ attempted to obtain a warrant to arrest Mr. lemon but was denied. Here is a gift link from the New York Times. so it appears this arrest of a prominent US journalist was lawless. DOJ is trying to prove a lawless point.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
Reposted by Christopher Witt
I am hearing that RFK Jr.’s minions are going to go after HPV vaccines. I’ve got problems with these people and now you’re going to hear about them, first from a personal perspective and then from a professional one.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
January 28, 2026 at 7:52 PM
I am hearing that RFK Jr.’s minions are going to go after HPV vaccines. I’ve got problems with these people and now you’re going to hear about them, first from a personal perspective and then from a professional one.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
Reposted by Christopher Witt
ICYMI: New online! The species problem evolving in the Anthropocene
The species problem evolving in the Anthropocene
Nature Reviews Biodiversity, Published online: 16 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44358-025-00125-xThe question of how to define a species has a long history and continued relevance for ongoing biological and conservation research. This Review describes the history of the species problem, and explores how novel evolutionary pressures and constraints of the Anthropocene might be complicating species definitions even further.
dlvr.it
January 23, 2026 at 11:14 AM
ICYMI: New online! The species problem evolving in the Anthropocene
Reposted by Christopher Witt
Take his personal army away from him while you can, you stupid, stupid assholes. You’re like an armadillo playing dead in the middle of the road so the semi won’t hurt you
January 28, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Take his personal army away from him while you can, you stupid, stupid assholes. You’re like an armadillo playing dead in the middle of the road so the semi won’t hurt you
Reposted by Christopher Witt
🎉 FRIDAY IS HERE AND SO IS … OUR NEW PAPER! 🎉
I’m thrilled to share a brand‑new paper by — K. Korejs, R. Hazell, B. Koane, P. Toko and G. Sosanika. If you’re into island biogeography, functional ecology, or just love birds doing important ecological jobs, this one’s for you. tinyurl.com/Korejs2026
I’m thrilled to share a brand‑new paper by — K. Korejs, R. Hazell, B. Koane, P. Toko and G. Sosanika. If you’re into island biogeography, functional ecology, or just love birds doing important ecological jobs, this one’s for you. tinyurl.com/Korejs2026
How Endemic Birds Shape Rainforest Ecosystems on New Britain
Tropical islands host unique evolutionary lineages, yet these endemic species are often highly vulnerable to environmental change. Understanding how they contribute to ecosystem functioning is esse…
multitrophicinteractions.blog
January 22, 2026 at 10:48 PM
🎉 FRIDAY IS HERE AND SO IS … OUR NEW PAPER! 🎉
I’m thrilled to share a brand‑new paper by — K. Korejs, R. Hazell, B. Koane, P. Toko and G. Sosanika. If you’re into island biogeography, functional ecology, or just love birds doing important ecological jobs, this one’s for you. tinyurl.com/Korejs2026
I’m thrilled to share a brand‑new paper by — K. Korejs, R. Hazell, B. Koane, P. Toko and G. Sosanika. If you’re into island biogeography, functional ecology, or just love birds doing important ecological jobs, this one’s for you. tinyurl.com/Korejs2026
Reposted by Christopher Witt
A retired Minneapolis couple who had guns pointed at them by ICE in a church parking lot.
"They were obviously not trained at all. I've known many police officers in my life. These people were right off the streets."
"They had the professional demeanor of criminals."
ht: @paulgraham.bsky.social
"They were obviously not trained at all. I've known many police officers in my life. These people were right off the streets."
"They had the professional demeanor of criminals."
ht: @paulgraham.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 7:09 PM
A retired Minneapolis couple who had guns pointed at them by ICE in a church parking lot.
"They were obviously not trained at all. I've known many police officers in my life. These people were right off the streets."
"They had the professional demeanor of criminals."
ht: @paulgraham.bsky.social
"They were obviously not trained at all. I've known many police officers in my life. These people were right off the streets."
"They had the professional demeanor of criminals."
ht: @paulgraham.bsky.social
Reposted by Christopher Witt
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by Christopher Witt
His immense compassion and courage should remind us all what we owe each other. What an incalculable loss.
My gosh. Alex Pretti was notifying neighbors that Trump and Vance's agents were chasing a family. A mob of agents then tackled him and broke his rib.
He thought he was going to die.
Then the very next week, he came back out to support his neighbors.
And a mob of agents killed him.
He thought he was going to die.
Then the very next week, he came back out to support his neighbors.
And a mob of agents killed him.
January 27, 2026 at 7:39 PM
His immense compassion and courage should remind us all what we owe each other. What an incalculable loss.
Reposted by Christopher Witt
Fighting fire with fire: drops of male mosquitos full of bacteria that cause egg sterility where resident mosquitoes don't belong - and birds affected by avian malaria do. It's ingenious, audacious, and could save desperately endangered endemic bird species in Hawai'i.
January 27, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Fighting fire with fire: drops of male mosquitos full of bacteria that cause egg sterility where resident mosquitoes don't belong - and birds affected by avian malaria do. It's ingenious, audacious, and could save desperately endangered endemic bird species in Hawai'i.
Reposted by Christopher Witt
We are devastated to share that Taylor, the Mexican gray wolf famous for repeatedly crossing I-40, was found dead over the weekend on the interstate.
Taylor's journey inspired many. He had established a home range last year near Mt. Taylor and returned twice after being removed.
bit.ly/4jT1OIP
Taylor's journey inspired many. He had established a home range last year near Mt. Taylor and returned twice after being removed.
bit.ly/4jT1OIP
January 22, 2026 at 7:24 PM
We are devastated to share that Taylor, the Mexican gray wolf famous for repeatedly crossing I-40, was found dead over the weekend on the interstate.
Taylor's journey inspired many. He had established a home range last year near Mt. Taylor and returned twice after being removed.
bit.ly/4jT1OIP
Taylor's journey inspired many. He had established a home range last year near Mt. Taylor and returned twice after being removed.
bit.ly/4jT1OIP