Rachel Bockrath
@rachelbockrath.bsky.social
Biologist, bird nerd, and nature advocate. Currently a PhD student at North Dakota State University. Graduate of Cal Poly Pomona and Colorado State University.
I am so thankful for all the wonderful people in my life, my friends, boyfriend, and family. I am thankful to be surrounded by so many great people to kick off the holiday season this week! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 🦃
#thanksgiving #thankful
#thanksgiving #thankful
November 28, 2025 at 12:51 AM
I am so thankful for all the wonderful people in my life, my friends, boyfriend, and family. I am thankful to be surrounded by so many great people to kick off the holiday season this week! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 🦃
#thanksgiving #thankful
#thanksgiving #thankful
The Auroras last night were absolutely amazing! At one point they were so bright it looked like a full harvest moon was out. I am so grateful I got the chance to see them. #aurora #northernlightsphotos #nature #space
November 12, 2025 at 7:55 PM
The Auroras last night were absolutely amazing! At one point they were so bright it looked like a full harvest moon was out. I am so grateful I got the chance to see them. #aurora #northernlightsphotos #nature #space
#RBFactFriday Jane Goodall first made history by revealing to science that a non-human animal, chimpanzees, made and used tools. The “termite fishing” of Gombe chimps takes years to master – requiring honed techniques, careful tool selection & crafting, and patience.
October 4, 2025 at 12:57 AM
#RBFactFriday Jane Goodall first made history by revealing to science that a non-human animal, chimpanzees, made and used tools. The “termite fishing” of Gombe chimps takes years to master – requiring honed techniques, careful tool selection & crafting, and patience.
Yesterday Dr. Jane Goodall passed away at 91. I have been reflecting on how much she has ment to me throughout my life, what I wanted to say in memory. She is one of my earliest & biggest influences on the career path I am on today, a biologist focusing on animal behavior and behavioral evolution.
October 2, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Yesterday Dr. Jane Goodall passed away at 91. I have been reflecting on how much she has ment to me throughout my life, what I wanted to say in memory. She is one of my earliest & biggest influences on the career path I am on today, a biologist focusing on animal behavior and behavioral evolution.
Yesterday Dr. Jane Goodall passed away at 91. I have been reflecting on how much she has ment to me throughout my life, what I wanted to say in memory. She is one of my earliest & biggest influences on the career path I am on today, a biologist focusing on animal behavior and behavioral evolution.
October 2, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Yesterday Dr. Jane Goodall passed away at 91. I have been reflecting on how much she has ment to me throughout my life, what I wanted to say in memory. She is one of my earliest & biggest influences on the career path I am on today, a biologist focusing on animal behavior and behavioral evolution.
#RBFactFriday Uncanny valley describes the phenomenon where things that are almost human-like are significantly more creepy than fully human or fully unhuman beings. Proposed contributions include Categorization ambiguity, Morbidity, Aesthetics, and Perceptual mismatch.
August 29, 2025 at 9:39 PM
#RBFactFriday Uncanny valley describes the phenomenon where things that are almost human-like are significantly more creepy than fully human or fully unhuman beings. Proposed contributions include Categorization ambiguity, Morbidity, Aesthetics, and Perceptual mismatch.
#RBFactFriday Many bird parents must balance the need to bring resources to young in their nests with the risks of alerting predators to the location of their nests. Those with high risks of predation & more open nests make fewer trips with bigger servings of food for their young.
August 1, 2025 at 8:32 PM
#RBFactFriday Many bird parents must balance the need to bring resources to young in their nests with the risks of alerting predators to the location of their nests. Those with high risks of predation & more open nests make fewer trips with bigger servings of food for their young.
Reposted by Rachel Bockrath
Devastated to see the NSF postdoctoral research fellowship in biology archives. This is a transformative creative opportunity and a path to the professorship for many (including myself). Postdocs are highly trained and often in the newest techniques which spur innovation.
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)
www.nsf.gov
July 29, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Devastated to see the NSF postdoctoral research fellowship in biology archives. This is a transformative creative opportunity and a path to the professorship for many (including myself). Postdocs are highly trained and often in the newest techniques which spur innovation.
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
#RBFactFriday Amphibians such as frogs often undergo a dramatic metamorphoses of egg-tadpole-adult in water pools. But some follow a different path, hatching out as mini-adults or staying in a “larval-like” stage as adults; and rearing environments vary from foam nests to on their parent’s backs!
June 27, 2025 at 10:27 PM
#RBFactFriday Amphibians such as frogs often undergo a dramatic metamorphoses of egg-tadpole-adult in water pools. But some follow a different path, hatching out as mini-adults or staying in a “larval-like” stage as adults; and rearing environments vary from foam nests to on their parent’s backs!
As someone who has volunteered at both centers before I moved out of state, I want to whole-heartedly state that this is a great group to work with! Passionate, kind, & knowledgeable people. You will get to know common species so much better, and be introduced to ones you have never seen before!
Want to help birds? 🐣💙
Volunteer Orientation on Sat, Jun 21 at 1–3:30 PM for both CA centers!. Support rescues, care for baby birds & make a real impact.
Sign up: www.birdrescue.org/get%E2%80%91...
Volunteer Orientation on Sat, Jun 21 at 1–3:30 PM for both CA centers!. Support rescues, care for baby birds & make a real impact.
Sign up: www.birdrescue.org/get%E2%80%91...
June 18, 2025 at 12:39 AM
As someone who has volunteered at both centers before I moved out of state, I want to whole-heartedly state that this is a great group to work with! Passionate, kind, & knowledgeable people. You will get to know common species so much better, and be introduced to ones you have never seen before!
Reposted by Rachel Bockrath
Bystanders and protesters have been confronting ICE agents as the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement.
ICE raids grow tense as protesters confront immigration agents
Bystanders and protesters have been confronting ICE agents as the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement.
n.pr
June 7, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Bystanders and protesters have been confronting ICE agents as the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement.
Reposted by Rachel Bockrath
Have you checked out the candidates for Program Officer elect?
The program officer helps with the programming for the entire meeting and helps to drive the vision for the society.
Read about them & be sure to vote!
sicb.burkclients.com/elections/20...
sicb.burkclients.com/wp/?page_id=...
The program officer helps with the programming for the entire meeting and helps to drive the vision for the society.
Read about them & be sure to vote!
sicb.burkclients.com/elections/20...
sicb.burkclients.com/wp/?page_id=...
June 3, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Have you checked out the candidates for Program Officer elect?
The program officer helps with the programming for the entire meeting and helps to drive the vision for the society.
Read about them & be sure to vote!
sicb.burkclients.com/elections/20...
sicb.burkclients.com/wp/?page_id=...
The program officer helps with the programming for the entire meeting and helps to drive the vision for the society.
Read about them & be sure to vote!
sicb.burkclients.com/elections/20...
sicb.burkclients.com/wp/?page_id=...
Reposted by Rachel Bockrath
The 2026 federal budget proposes eliminating the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area, threatening bird banding, research, and conservation nationwide, endangering 100+ years of vital ecological data. www.aba.org/proposed-bir...
May 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The 2026 federal budget proposes eliminating the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area, threatening bird banding, research, and conservation nationwide, endangering 100+ years of vital ecological data. www.aba.org/proposed-bir...
#RBFactFriday Pollen isn't just something that gives people allergies in the spring, it is how most plants reproduce. But pollen size and shape is also driven by forces like pollinators, habitat, & fruit formation.
May 2, 2025 at 6:01 PM
#RBFactFriday Pollen isn't just something that gives people allergies in the spring, it is how most plants reproduce. But pollen size and shape is also driven by forces like pollinators, habitat, & fruit formation.
#RBFactFriday Eggs have unique geometric shapes – so unique that only recently have robust math formulas been codified to describe them. With a wide variety of shapes from different species, this helps future researchers test different questions about the evolution & function of eggs.
April 4, 2025 at 7:37 PM
#RBFactFriday Eggs have unique geometric shapes – so unique that only recently have robust math formulas been codified to describe them. With a wide variety of shapes from different species, this helps future researchers test different questions about the evolution & function of eggs.
#RBFactFriday Domoic acid is a toxin produced by a class of algae that produces it as a waste product. At high concentrations, it becomes a potent toxin that can lead to neurologic effects & even death when ingested directly or consuming infected foods.
March 22, 2025 at 1:22 AM
#RBFactFriday Domoic acid is a toxin produced by a class of algae that produces it as a waste product. At high concentrations, it becomes a potent toxin that can lead to neurologic effects & even death when ingested directly or consuming infected foods.
#RBFactFriday The process of modifying genes in an animal to produce a trait results in a transgenic organism. Such individuals, particularly mice, have a long & successful history of serving as models for humans in understanding many diseases, such as Alzheimer's. 1/2
March 7, 2025 at 9:48 PM
#RBFactFriday The process of modifying genes in an animal to produce a trait results in a transgenic organism. Such individuals, particularly mice, have a long & successful history of serving as models for humans in understanding many diseases, such as Alzheimer's. 1/2
#RBFactFriday The phenomenon of ‘plant blindness’ describes the tendency to not notice plants & their details in everyday life. This lack of awareness, relative to animals, can be seen as early as 8 years old and results in overly simplified mental models of plants.
February 21, 2025 at 8:27 PM
#RBFactFriday The phenomenon of ‘plant blindness’ describes the tendency to not notice plants & their details in everyday life. This lack of awareness, relative to animals, can be seen as early as 8 years old and results in overly simplified mental models of plants.
#RBFactFriday CRISPR technology is a genetic tool that allows for precise editing of genes within cells. It is being developed to treat genetic diseases & cancers, learn more about how gene function, & understand non-coding regions of the genome.
January 31, 2025 at 8:44 PM
#RBFactFriday CRISPR technology is a genetic tool that allows for precise editing of genes within cells. It is being developed to treat genetic diseases & cancers, learn more about how gene function, & understand non-coding regions of the genome.
For anyone who didn't follow me back on Twitter, I started a tradition almost 8 years ago of posting about cool science (mostly biology honestly) most every Friday under #RBFactFriday. I am going to be restarting that tradition here too because it has been a fun way to explore and share science!
January 17, 2025 at 9:16 PM
For anyone who didn't follow me back on Twitter, I started a tradition almost 8 years ago of posting about cool science (mostly biology honestly) most every Friday under #RBFactFriday. I am going to be restarting that tradition here too because it has been a fun way to explore and share science!
#RBFactFriday Toucan beaks are striking for their color & size, but it’s for more than just looks. Toucans use their beaks to keep cool, shunting blood there to dissipate extra heat & maintain their internal temperature.
January 17, 2025 at 9:12 PM
#RBFactFriday Toucan beaks are striking for their color & size, but it’s for more than just looks. Toucans use their beaks to keep cool, shunting blood there to dissipate extra heat & maintain their internal temperature.
Fantastic time at #SICB2025!
I presented my new research on house sparrows & won the DEE Huey Best Student Poster Presentation award! (What an honor)
I had a great time catching up with old friends, making new friends, & hanging out with my fellow Heidinger Lab members.
#Academic #birds #STEM
I presented my new research on house sparrows & won the DEE Huey Best Student Poster Presentation award! (What an honor)
I had a great time catching up with old friends, making new friends, & hanging out with my fellow Heidinger Lab members.
#Academic #birds #STEM
January 8, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Happy New Year!
If you are going to #SICB2025 I hope you will come by my poster "Shrinking Sparrows: How climate change impacts avian morphology and fitness" (#718) on Sunday the 5th. Can't wait to see everyone in Atlanta!
If you are going to #SICB2025 I hope you will come by my poster "Shrinking Sparrows: How climate change impacts avian morphology and fitness" (#718) on Sunday the 5th. Can't wait to see everyone in Atlanta!
January 1, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Happy New Year!
If you are going to #SICB2025 I hope you will come by my poster "Shrinking Sparrows: How climate change impacts avian morphology and fitness" (#718) on Sunday the 5th. Can't wait to see everyone in Atlanta!
If you are going to #SICB2025 I hope you will come by my poster "Shrinking Sparrows: How climate change impacts avian morphology and fitness" (#718) on Sunday the 5th. Can't wait to see everyone in Atlanta!