Anya Auerbach
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aauerbach.bsky.social
Anya Auerbach
@aauerbach.bsky.social
770 followers 490 following 180 posts
PhD candidate at UMN EEB studying Madagascar’s bird radiations | Loves birds, diversification, biodiversity, teaching evolution, and (natural) history museums | Queer. Organizer. Still a NYer at heart.
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aauerbach.bsky.social
Normal Common Dolphin for comparison!
A typically colored common dolphin leaping out of the water. It has a dark back, yellow sides, and a paler white strip running along the flank.
August 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
I was back home in NY last week and got to get out on the ocean for the first time in way way too long. The whales were minimally cooperative (distant humpback and fin), but a big pod of common dolphins included a melanistic individual! Also, any day with tubenoses is a very very good day.
A photograph of a melanistic common dolphin porpoising out of the water. Its monochrome but sharply contrasting light and dark gray, with the usual orange areas replaced by a dark slate color. A photograph of a Great Shearwater flying over the ocean. Its a brown and white bird with very long wings and, if you look carefully, nostrils enclosed in tubes on the top of the bill. They can drink saltwater and snort out the salt!
August 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
I’m mostly here to tell more people about Mihirungs, because its fun to say and because “what if that angry goose was 8 feet tall” was a reality early Aboriginal Australians were forced to confront.
A photograph of a Mihirung fossil. Its an enormous, obviously flightless bird with an absolutely massive, deep bill. It looks like it will hunt you down.
July 9, 2025 at 2:00 AM
aauerbach.bsky.social
Made a visit this morning to what is obviously the most important Athens landmark - The Tree That Owns Itself.

Thanks @ethanofthegulls.bsky.social for reminding me this is here, highly recommend if you’re at #Evol2025
A photograph of a decently sized white oak tree growing on a small plot of land at a quiet intersection. Its plot is closed off by old fashioned-looking stone pilons. A stone marker in front of the tree reads: “For and in consideration of the great love I bear this tree and the great desire I have for its protection for all time. I convey entire possession of itself and all land within eight feet of the tree on all sides. -William H Jackson A closeup of a small plaque. It reads: The Tree That Owns Itself Quercus alba Deeded to itself by Col. William H Jackson circa 1832 This scion of the original tree was planted by the junior ladies garden club in 1946 National Register of Historic Places 1975 Athens Historical Landmark 1988
June 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
Hey #Evol2025 folks -

Interested in adaptive radiation? Morphological evolution? Cool birds?

I’ll be presenting the results of my first dissertation chapter, looking at diversification in Malagasy vangas (+ a bit about what comes next!)

(Sat 4:45-5 in Macroevo & Diversification IV, Parthenon 2)
An image of the first slide from my talk. Its titled “Tempo and mode of trait evolution in the adaptive radiation of Malagasy vangas”. The authors are myself, Euan Lim, and Sushma Reddy, all affiliated with the University of Minnesota. My email is auerb027@umn.edu. Around the text are five photographs of vangas, birds which look extremely different from one another.
June 19, 2025 at 10:08 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
I wasn't exactly expecting to hear crossbill call notes while working at my desk on May 1st!
These aren't remotely the best photos I've taken of White-winged Crossbills this year, but in addition to the date, these birds turned out to be a fun milestone- species #100 for my yard list!
A photograph of a male white-winged crossbill. He's perched on the twigs of a deciduous tree covered in buds. He's a pinkish bird with dark wings, white wing-bars, and a chunky bill crossed at the tips.
May 13, 2025 at 1:06 AM
aauerbach.bsky.social
I love how many bird photos end up unintentionally hilarious.

Look at this Redpoll in deep contemplation of its foot.
A photograph of a common redpoll standing in profile on a branch. It has one foot sticking forward and its head tilted down, appearing to be carefully examining the foot or possibly in deep contemplation of all that's gone wrong in its life. Redpolls are small birds, a kind of finch that's very fluffy and mostly streaky brown, with a yellow beak and little red patch on the forehead.
February 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
I finally got around to getting the next City Watch book. Pratchett has a way of always being (maybe too) timely.
I’m holding the book “Jingo” by Terry Pratchett, the next in the City Watch series of Discworld books that I’ve slowly been working my way through.
February 3, 2025 at 4:13 AM
aauerbach.bsky.social
I heard someone say wholesome bivalves? live.staticflickr.com/65535/525847...
A photograph of a surf scoter with a bivalve (probably a mussel) in its beak. Surf scoters are ducks with ridiculous-looking giant colorful beaks, which they use mostly to eat mussels.
February 2, 2025 at 5:26 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
University of Minnesota admin can always be relied on to use the maximum possible number of words to say absolutely nothing lmao
Screenshot of text from an email. The header reads: Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost The text of the email reads: Dear students, faculty, and staff: Many of you have heard reports that several federal agencies have paused activities affecting federally-funded research. University leadership is closely tracking proposed changes, all executive orders, and the direction by the Office of Management and Budget to all departments and agencies. A team is assembled to assess and respond on behalf of our community. The team will draw on the expertise of leaders across the University, internal and external experts, and our peer institutions and professional associations. We are reviewing all guidance and updates as they emerge to determine what they mean for our students, faculty, and staff, and for our programs dedicated to the education, research, and outreach missions of the University. (continued in next image) The text of the email from the previous image continues. It reads: Of immediate interest to many—there is no impact to Pell grants or direct loans. Our priority is to work with policymakers and remain focused on supporting the great work of the University, so that all of us can continue to deliver on our mission of world-class education, leading-edge research, and vibrant community engagement and outreach. We will not waver in our dedication to serving you, all Minnesotans, our nation, and world. We will provide updates as they become available. Sincerely, Rachel T. A. Croson Executive Vice President and Provost Gregg Goldman Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations Shashank Priya Vice President for Research and Innovation
January 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
A photograph of a brown geode. The crystals look weirdly like the lungfish’s teeth. At least to me.
January 18, 2025 at 9:05 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
Central Park was absolutely full of Cute Little Guys on my winter break trip home. Especially these guys, tufted titmice, which seem to visit NYC in numbers every other winter.

This one was missing its tail, which isn't great for their maneuverability, but means extra cute and round for me.
A photograph of a tufted titmouse perched on a twig among fallen leaves. It is a very cute little gray bird similar to a chickadee, with a big dark eye and little crest. They are supposed to have tails, which this one notably does not.
January 16, 2025 at 3:11 AM
aauerbach.bsky.social
Hey #SICB2025 - interested in adaptive radiation? Morphological evolution? Cool birds? Just trying to figure out where to start tomorrow morning?

I’ll be presenting the results of my first dissertation chapter, looking at diversification in Malagasy vangas, in A601 at 8:45am!
An image of my title slide. The title of the talk is “Tempo and mode of trait evolution in the adaptive radiation of Malagady vangas”. The authors are Anya Auerbach, Euan Lim, and Sushma Reddy, who are affiliated with the University of Minnesota and Bell Museum of Natural History. The text is surrounded by five photographs of different species of vangas, which look impressively different from one another.
January 4, 2025 at 12:40 AM
aauerbach.bsky.social
Happy New Year from me, my latkes, and my union.
A selfie of myself while cooking latkes. I’m a white person with shortish brown hair, wearing a t shirt with a logo that reads UE Local 1105. On the stovetop are two pans full of thin, crispy latkes at various stages of doneness. I’m wearing earbuds and, though can’t tell from the photo, listening to Yiddish Bundist music. A photograph of two latkes on a plate and a lit menorah. One latke is covered with homemade applesauce and the other with lox, the two best and correct traditional latke toppings.
January 1, 2025 at 5:23 AM
aauerbach.bsky.social
Went on our near-annual thousand islands birding trip yesterday. It started snowing on the ferry ride back!
Snowy Owl numbers weren’t as high as some years and we didn’t find any Short-eared, but we had luck with cooperative Snow Bunting flocks (and a surprise mammal!)
December 24, 2024 at 5:10 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
The views were great both ways, too
(not to mention the food in Sunset Park)
A photo of the NYC skyline from the back of the south Brooklyn ferry, with coastal Brooklyn, lower Manhattan, and Jersey City in view. The clouds overhead are multilayered and moody. The view from the N train crossing the Manhattan bridge of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge lit up at night. Its a really good view, albeit kinda crooked and blurry.
December 19, 2024 at 11:35 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
Post-sunset digibin of a purple sandpiper… I think this is art
A blurry, very dark photograph of a purple sandpiper taken with a cell phone through binoculars. It’s standing on what I’m informing you are seaweed-covered rocks, silhouetted against waves lit orange with the last rays of light. Its paler, mottled belly and drooping bill shape are somewhat visible.
December 19, 2024 at 11:01 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
We did also see the Eared Grebe, along with lots of other lingering waterfowl! Two new county birds for me.
A photograph of an eared grebe swimming, a tiny ball of fluff of a waterbird. Its dark gray above and pale mottled gray below, with a small, pointy, upturned bill and a red eye.
December 8, 2024 at 8:13 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
@gacatail.bsky.social and I were out for a short walk and an attempt at seeing a continuing Eared Grebe yesterday when a report came in of an American Bittern just a few minutes from home! This goofball spent the day in a tiny patch of reeds and shrubs, staring down its chin at passerby.
A photograph of an American Bittern standing in some undergrowth, slightly obscured by twigs. Its a beautifully mottled brown heron with bizarre proportions - a chunky body, relatively short legs, a thick neck and small head.
December 8, 2024 at 8:13 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
Look at this ANT PLANT.
The last week of lab in the Ecology class I’m TAing this semester is a tour of the UMN Conservatory, a gorgeous space full of weird and wonderful plants.
I knew about plants that made homes for their ant mutualists, but not that they got this elaborate!
December 7, 2024 at 4:23 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
A stall at the holiday market in downtown Saint Paul had *actual female cardinals* available as ornaments. A first??!!!

(With @gacatail.bsky.social’s mitten for scale)
A photograph of a rack of christmas tree ornaments. There are a set of carved and painted wooden cardinals, some bright red and others tan with a black face and orange beak.
December 2, 2024 at 1:02 AM
aauerbach.bsky.social
Hehehe welcome back
A photograph of glittering ice crystals on fallen leaves
November 30, 2024 at 10:24 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
We got a lovely dusting of snow for Thanksgiving here in Minnesota, and I baked my usual pumpkin cheesecake. (also some very good brussels sprouts, not pictured).
A photograph of a residential street. The grass and roads are covered in a thin layer of snow. A photograph of the pumpkin cheesecake, in a springform pan on the counter. Visible is its sour cream, brown sugar, and bourbon topping, decorated with concentric circles of pecans.
November 29, 2024 at 7:04 PM
aauerbach.bsky.social
The neighborhood was just full of friends yesterday
A photograph of a neighborhood. There is a light dusting of snow and a scattered flock of turkeys, two of which are hurrying to cross the sidewalk just ahead. A photograph taken at night, lit by street lamps. In the foreground is a raccoon crouching in front of a gutter. Its looking furtively over its shoulder at you.
November 23, 2024 at 3:55 AM
aauerbach.bsky.social
I have so many incredible photos from this encounter, which lasted ~half an hour (and the rest of that north woods trip!) but here's another showing some interaction - the smaller (female?) lynx spent a while sitting on the snow bank vocalizing while the other watched it from the road.
A photograph of a canada lynx crouched on a snow bank with dense spruce woods in the background. Its mouth is partly open and its eyes are slitted. You can also see the underside of one extremely fuzzy paw.
November 19, 2024 at 12:52 AM