Foreigner's recent activity

  1. Comment on According to user voting, these are the world’s shittiest birds in ~enviro

    Foreigner
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    I'm afraid the awebos are also ornery little dinosaurs, in fact the awebo call is supposed to be a warning which escalates to violence if not heeded, even towards humans. Still love them, they're...

    I'm afraid the awebos are also ornery little dinosaurs, in fact the awebo call is supposed to be a warning which escalates to violence if not heeded, even towards humans. Still love them, they're so sassy and bold!

    2 votes

  2. Comment on According to user voting, these are the world’s shittiest birds in ~enviro

    Foreigner
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    Yes, absolutely hummingbirds should be on the list!!! Smol but extra spicy! And European robins too! Infamous for their murderous rage: "Robin the redbreasted thug" "Britain has spoken – and...

    Yes, absolutely hummingbirds should be on the list!!! Smol but extra spicy!

    And European robins too! Infamous for their murderous rage:

    Justice for geese!

    4 votes

  3. Comment on According to user voting, these are the world’s shittiest birds in ~enviro

    Foreigner
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    It's no secret I love birds, but the top 10 list doesn't surprise me. Most of those species have populations living close to humans who have lost their fear of us. They've also learned that humans...
    • Exemplary

    It's no secret I love birds, but the top 10 list doesn't surprise me. Most of those species have populations living close to humans who have lost their fear of us. They've also learned that humans = food, and it's largely thanks to people feeding them. It's really not the birds' fault if you look into why they're like that. Sparrows can be incredibly aggro around food as well, but they're small and cute, so I guess people give them a pass. Mallard is deserved though and should be higher on the list (males specifically), the rapey bastards. The red legged partridge is a surprise though, they're only really invasive in the UK and not that common elsewhere, so I'm guessing the voters are mostly UK based? I would suggest a few other lesser known candidates (warning, some of these are pretty gruesome):

    • Eleanora's falcon: one specific population will capture small birds alive, rip out the flight feathers and stuff them into small holes to save for later.

    • Vampire ground finch: Yes, that name means what you think it means.

    • Black kites (specifically in Northern Australia): apparently deliberately set forests on fire during the dry season to flush out prey

    • Oxpeckers: you know those birds you see on the backs of megafauna in Africa, like elephants and rhinos? The ones portrayed as helpful little passengers who altruistically eat parasites off their hosts? Well it turns out they will drink blood from the open sores of those hosts and make the wounds bigger. Do not for the love of all that is good in the world search images or videos of this happening

    • Australian magpies: Don't be bald around an Australian magpie.

    • Great spotted cuckoo: Technically all brood parasites are assholes by nature, but the GSC takes it a step further. Their target victim are eurasian magpies. Like all corvids, magpies are smart, and they can often tell which egg isn't one of their and will dispatch it before hatching. Witnessing this, the GSC will then destroy the magpies' eggs (which is something brood parasites generally do). However the GSC will repeat this behaviour with the same couple of magpies until they give up and let the cuckoo have its way. Essentially the GSC has trained certain magpies into submission so they raise its young even though the magpies know it's not one of theirs.

    • Kea: The world's only alpine parrot. They're whip smart, playful, charismatic, and gleefully destructive. They apparently have a thing for destroying cars.

    Any one of these birds deserves a spot in the top 10, but I still love every one of them.

    20 votes

  4. Comment on Where did all the public bathrooms go? in ~humanities.history

    Foreigner
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    The vast majority of the ornate pissoirs don't exist anymore but Paris still has a lot of public toilets, some of which include external urinals. Most of them smell pretty awful, and you only...

    The vast majority of the ornate pissoirs don't exist anymore but Paris still has a lot of public toilets, some of which include external urinals. Most of them smell pretty awful, and you only really use them if you're desperate because they're usually dirty or wet inside (even if they "self-clean" between each use), there's no soap, and forget about drying your hands. Some people also don't respect these spaces and leave trash or destroy the equipment (unfortunately Paris is too often the epitome of "we can't have nice things"). But it's better to have them than not, especially as they are the only choice for some, like unhoused people.

    The empêche pipi still exist in a bunch of places, but their usefulness is questionable.

    6 votes

  5. Comment on Sleep struggles: how do I get better sleep quality? in ~life

    Foreigner
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    Is there a chance you're going through perimenopause or menopause? I don't want to assume your gender, but this is an often overlooked cause of sleep suddenly becoming hot garbage. If not, one...

    Is there a chance you're going through perimenopause or menopause? I don't want to assume your gender, but this is an often overlooked cause of sleep suddenly becoming hot garbage.

    If not, one thing I've found that worked for me is getting a good amount of natural light early in the morning and keeping lights low in the evening. Pairing this with regular exercise and reducing stress has been the only thing that's really helped me keep a somewhat regular sleep schedule after many years of trying different things (also ADHDer). You have to be consistent about it for it to really pay off, which can be hard. I know it sounds like something you'd see people complaining about on r/thanksimcured. Unfortunately my bladder is now conspiring to screw it all up so I'll eventually have to figure something else out. Good luck!!

    3 votes

  6. Comment on Torontonians are flocking to birdwatching to relax, make friends and reap the mental health benefits in ~hobbies

    Foreigner
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    Yeeeeee! I hope you have a lot of fun out there! Funny, I've had the reverse effect where I'm becoming more interested in plants and trees because of birds and other wildlife. That's where they...

    Your enthusiasm is infectious! I've finally downloaded the merlin app, so it's available if I'm out walking or paddling and curious about a bird I encounter (for what it's worth, I'm in my late 30s now :)

    Yeeeeee! I hope you have a lot of fun out there!

    I grew up very interested in nature, but my focus has generally been drawn more towards plants and fungi for whatever reason.

    Funny, I've had the reverse effect where I'm becoming more interested in plants and trees because of birds and other wildlife. That's where they live and eat after all!

    I'll say, while I know relatively little about birds, their behaviour can be pretty interesting. I'll end on my favourite bird story: I've retained a particular memory of a paddling trip as a kid, crossing a lake with a huge number of loons on it; it had to be dozens. I only knew of loons as solitary, so this encounter stuck deep in my memory. Decades later, I was listening to a radio program and the guest discussed, of all things, the congregating behaviour of loons. It was so exciting to have my memory validated!

    What an amazing observation, I hope you get to enjoy more magical moments like that :)

    1 vote

  7. Comment on Torontonians are flocking to birdwatching to relax, make friends and reap the mental health benefits in ~hobbies

    Foreigner
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    I have been into animals (including birds) to a huge degree since as long as I remember. Used to watch the Discovery Channel instead of cartoons, annoy unsuspecting victims with random animal...
    • Exemplary

    I have been into animals (including birds) to a huge degree since as long as I remember. Used to watch the Discovery Channel instead of cartoons, annoy unsuspecting victims with random animal facts (still do!), joined the Ecology club. One of my nicknames in school was 'the park ranger'. And yet I seriously didn't get into birding as a hobby until my late thirties because I also thought it was something only "old" people do. I'm so glad I did because it might just be saving my life. It made me get outside and literally touch grass, exercise and lift weights so I can handle a heavy camera and have stamina for long hikes, get connected to a local birding group with really cool people, and learn more about the world around me and how I can make it better in my own small way.

    It's still fairly dominated by older people (which is not a bad thing!) where I am, and somewhat insular depending on the group. Experienced birders are wary of giving too much away in case some people are less respectful and get so obsessed with ticking a species off their list they disturb already very vulnerable populations.

    Many of us have a different mindset though. As Jacques Cousteau said - we only protect what we love, we only love what we understand, and we only understand what we are taught.

    I've made it my mission to evangelise everyone around me (young and old) to start birding. It's a really great hobby and can apparently support your health in multiple different ways: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaL-vYBJLdz/?igsh=dWRlamsyd21vZ3dw

    Here are some tips I always give people getting started:

    • Download Merlin - it's Shazam for birds but also has a lot of good photos of each species to help with ID. It shows you the most likely birds in your area for that time of the year (though don't treat it as gospel)

    • Find a local birding group near you and see if they organise any free walks or are willing to let you tag along. Even better if someone is willing to lend you a pair of binoculars to try before you buy. If they're a nice group they'll share helpful knowledge to get you started.

    • Binoculars are an essential tool but you don't need to break the bank buying a pair of Swarovskis. Plenty of cheaper options from Vortex, Celestron, Bushnell, etc. I usually suggest 8×42 magnification because it's a nice balance between brightness and reach. 10×42 is great too, but usually heavier and shakier. Monoculars are cheaper if you want the same quality for less, but you will have a smaller field of view.

    • If you don't have a local birding group and don't know where to start, I suggest going to your local parks or gardens, even small ones. You can also check Birding Places and the Ebird hotspot map to find spots around you.

    • Apps or books for IDing birds are very useful. I usually suggest the app version of books because it's less stuff to carry around. They're paid apps but usually cost about the same or a bit more. They have helpful features like allowing you to zoom in on images, and some have birdsong integrated which can be helpful. Some suggestions:
      -- Europe: Collin's Bird Guide (Android / iOS)
      -- North America: Sibley Bird Guide
      -- Africa: Birds of Africa

    • Learn how to bird ethically. Avoid disrupting birds especially around nests and during migration. Birds in urban areas, parks or natural reserves will generally be less flighty than birds in more remote areas.

    • Most importantly, go birding on your own terms. If you don't like waking up super early, you don't have to. You'll still see birds, just maybe not as many, but that's ok! If finding ticking "lifers" off your list is your thing, go for it. If it's not, that's fine too!

    I also second u/Gazook89 and recommend watching "Listers" on YouTube. Very funny and an interesting glimpse into the crazy world of birding.

    You might not realise it but you have national geographic action happening right outside your door even in the busiest cities in the world. Now get out there and have fun!

    12 votes

  8. Comment on Survey: The temperature in my room now is _____ and it feels _____ in ~talk

    Foreigner
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    The temperature in my room right now is irrelevant because menopause is a bitch and hot flashes laugh in the face of thermodynamics.

    The temperature in my room right now is irrelevant because menopause is a bitch and hot flashes laugh in the face of thermodynamics.

    8 votes

  9. Comment on ‘The Odyssey’ holds strong worldwide, cumulative near $640m; ‘Toy Story 5’ third picture YTD to cross $1b worldwide in ~movies

    Foreigner
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    And Timothée Chalamet. Man is in everything these days.

    And Timothée Chalamet. Man is in everything these days.

    1 vote

  10. Comment on You can vote on the design of the next Euro banknotes! in ~design

    Foreigner
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    Thank you for researching the background details on this, very interesting!

    Thank you for researching the background details on this, very interesting!

    4 votes

  11. Comment on You can vote on the design of the next Euro banknotes! in ~design

    Foreigner
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    That would be amazing!! The ECB should have hired you for this job. I would bet on cod. Would settle for bonito too because it's pretty, but cod has done a lot historically for many European...

    It'd be really cool if the mammal was a stoat and the plastic had heat-sensitive technology so it turned white when it was less than 5 degrees. Not only would this demonstrate European technical might, it would give a new objective measure for how cold it actually was ('It was so cold my stoat went white!')

    That would be amazing!! The ECB should have hired you for this job.

    I think there'd have to be a whole subcommittee on agreeing on the fish. Fisherfolk have strong feelings about their fish

    I would bet on cod. Would settle for bonito too because it's pretty, but cod has done a lot historically for many European countries.

    1 vote

  12. Comment on You can vote on the design of the next Euro banknotes! in ~design

    Foreigner
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    You know what, you're right, it should have been the golden eagle. But we could go even further. I love birds so I'll be happy if a bird design wins, but it would have been even cooler if they'd...

    You know what, you're right, it should have been the golden eagle. But we could go even further. I love birds so I'll be happy if a bird design wins, but it would have been even cooler if they'd done different animal classes per note. Something like:

    €5 - Insect
    €10 - Amphibian
    €20 - Reptile
    €50 - Fish
    €100 - Bird
    €200 - Mammal

    5 votes

  13. Comment on You can vote on the design of the next Euro banknotes! in ~design

    Foreigner
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    Maybe u/Bauke can turn this into one of the next Tildes surveys so everyone can participate. Or maybe we make our own Tildes currency!

    Though, as an American, I do not get a vote. I wish we did something similar here every once in a while, although the American bill feels very traditional.

    Maybe u/Bauke can turn this into one of the next Tildes surveys so everyone can participate. Or maybe we make our own Tildes currency!

    3 votes

  14. Comment on You can vote on the design of the next Euro banknotes! in ~design

    Foreigner
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    I have a good feeling about design H! I like that they also incorporated different European landscapes in the background around the theme of water. Especially the falling snow on the €5 note,...

    I have a good feeling about design H! I like that they also incorporated different European landscapes in the background around the theme of water. Especially the falling snow on the €5 note, since wallcreepers live in high altitude places. A sweet little detail.

    3 votes

  15. Comment on You can vote on the design of the next Euro banknotes! in ~design

  16. You can vote on the design of the next Euro banknotes!

    ~design Text 90 words
    The European Central Bank is giving people the chance to vote on the design of future banknotes. You can find more info and an overview of the designs on this page. And you can vote directly on...

    The European Central Bank is giving people the chance to vote on the design of future banknotes.

    You can find more info and an overview of the designs on this page.

    And you can vote directly on the survey here.

    I'm quite touched that they picked birds for half of the designs. One design even has the migratory path, footprints and sonogram for each species, which I think is pretty cool. Not trying to sway anyone to vote for a particular design, just happy birds are getting some *more recognition :)

    52 votes

  17. Comment on How has climate change affected your life / plans? in ~enviro

    Foreigner
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    I have a good guide in French on what to do when you find a wild animal which I can post here in a separate post (might take me a couple of days to get it translated). It's not first aid though,...

    I have a good guide in French on what to do when you find a wild animal which I can post here in a separate post (might take me a couple of days to get it translated). It's not first aid though, just a guide on what scenarios you might face, what to do in each case to get them secured to bring to a rehabber. Tha doesn't necessarily mean transporting them immediately.

    My first suggestion when you find a wild animal in distress is to contact a rehabber/rescue (or f there isn't one, a vet can work in a pinch) and get their advice. They'll be best placed to explain any first aid you can give as it's largely dependent on the species. Laws will also differ from place to place. Here for example you can't keep a wild animal (unless it's invasive) at your place for more than 48h, and it should always be with the intent to pass it onto a rehab or a rescue centre, or someone licensed to treat certain species. This is as much for your safety as it is for the animal's. Some rehabs will try to accommodate for the distance and drive halfway to meet you or see if they can arrange for someone nearby to come pick the animal up.

    4 votes

  18. Comment on How has climate change affected your life / plans? in ~enviro

    Foreigner
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    I'm in France and my birding season in June was a hot pile of garbage. I'm also nearing menopause way too early at 40 and the hot flashes + the stupidly high temperatures means I have been living...

    I'm in France and my birding season in June was a hot pile of garbage. I'm also nearing menopause way too early at 40 and the hot flashes + the stupidly high temperatures means I have been living in literal hell. It makes going outside even more complicated.

    It's been devastating to see the impact on nature. One of the forests I visit frequently suffered from a huge forest fire. I volunteer at a wildlife shelter (also something I've struggled to do this summer because of said heat and hot flashes) and every year the number if animala admitted keeps going up. At one point there were over 100 animals admitted per day. And this was -before- the forest fire.

    A small note of hope, it's been heartening seeing the number of people volunteer to help out after the forest fire. Thousands of people expressed interedt in helping. We're still not allowed to go to the affected areas and search for injured wildlife but so many people have provided support whether through equipment, transportation, time, etc.

    18 votes

  19. Comment on Another movie longshot request in ~movies

    Foreigner
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    Yeeee you found it! Amazing, thank you so much!!

    Yeeee you found it! Amazing, thank you so much!!

    4 votes

  20. Comment on Another movie longshot request in ~movies