Salem-News.com Argentina articles Page 3

The Unusual Song of the Zorzal

The archeopteryx demonstrates beautifully the adaptations that had to occur on a wide scale for birds to be so prevalent and differentiated in their vast variety of species.

(PATAGONIA, Argentina) - Springtime in North America brings the unmistakable song of the robin as it graces lawns and budding trees triggering our memories of childhood.

Robins, black birds and thrushes, of the genus turdus (Latin for thrush), of the large family Turdidae, are medium sized song birds.

BLACK CHINNED SISKIN, Cabecita Negra de Corbata, Cardueles barbatus, or `Why I Plant Sunflowers`

"Cabecita negra" (literally, little black head) is an oft-used, historic racist term in Argentina.

(PATAGONIA, Argentina) - In November or the northern equivalent of just about now, I plant enormous quantities of sunflowers around the periphery of my garden.

These easy-to-grow and robust plants start slowly, but usually by Christmas Day the first sunflower blooms.

Politics in Banking - Argentina Style

Argentina takes control of its finances.

(PATAGONIA, Argentina) - While The US continues to dither about whether and how to reform its banking practices, Argentina has taken concrete and controversial steps to gain control over its financial future.

Down the Drain

Putting in a new drain field was never at the top of my list of the ten most entertaining things to do...

(PATAGONIA, Argentina) - Summer ended last night on the 31st of March at four in the morning. That’s when a huge thunderbolt smacked into our house turning on lights before the breaker switch kicked off.

I jumped out of bed to see what had happened as the bang and light had at first appeared to me as signs of a break-in.

Neotropic Cormorant, or Olivaceous Cormorant, Phalacrocorax Brasilianus

Also known as Phalacrocorax olivaceus, Bigua.

(PATAGONIA, Argentina) - Oregon is home to at least three different species of cormorants, the double crested, the pelagic and the Brandt’s. Patagonia has various species too. On Lago Puelo, a half hour drive from El Bolson, we encountered our own; the Bigua, as it is known in Argentina.

Spectacled Tyrant: Pico de Plata, Hymemnops Perspicillatus

Meet the Flower Child of Patagonia

(PATAGONIA, Argentina) - The Tyrannidae family of the order of song or perching birds is the World’s largest with over 350 species in North and South America. About 124 of these are encountered in Patagonia.

Not surprisingly due to the great number of species, it is the group of birds then that is most endangered and threatened.

The Chilean Flamingo, Flamenco Austral, Phoenicopterus Chilensis

Visiting the gregarious flamingo.

(PATAGONIA, Argentina) - While driving from the Atlantic coast to the Andes Mountains the sudden appearance of a lake full of a hundred or more bright salmon colored birds knocked my sox off.

Federal Decision Over Sage Grouse Disappointing

It will be placed on the Candidate List with other species whose status is also in limbo. In other words, it gets to wait in line.

(PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA) - 30 years ago I went to see the sage grouse perform their mating dance ritual. They line up and face off, it is remarkable to see. Their plight in the nation took a step forward today, but it was a small step.

The Argentine National Bird--Oven Bird

Meet the Hornero Comun rufus hornero Furnarius rufus.

(PATAGONIA, Argentina) - The oven bird or hornero makes a little nest that for all the world looks like the oven in many Argentine yards. Round and made of mud, it is high in any part of the trees, often in eucalyptus.

The Magellanic Penguin, One Famous Black and White Bird

El pinguino patagonico stands about 18 inches high. Knee-high to a tourist you might say.

(PATAGONIA) - Punta Tombo near Puerto Madryn on the Atlantic coast of Chubut Province, Argentina is the biggest mainland penguin colony on the South American continent. In late November we went to see the Magellanic penguin (pinguino patagonico) Spheniscus Mangellanicus.