ChArtuso

@chartuso

student of Anishinaabemowin, environmentalist, author ( supporter of Indigenous-led conservation. I’ve photographed 4400 species of birds (167 species of owls).

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ChArtuso@chartuso· 3d

San Cristóbal Mockingbird (Mimus melanotis), Isla San Cristobal, © Christian Artuso San Cristóbal Mockingbird is intermediate between Galápagos Mockingbird & Española Mockingbird in morphometrics & only found on San Cristóbal. They were curious, landing on my hat several times #birds #birding

San Cristóbal Mockingbird (Mimus melanotis), Isla San Cristobal, © Christian Artuso
The San Cristóbal Mockingbird is somewhat intermediate between the Galápagos Mockingbird & the Española Mockingbird in morphometrics & only found on San Cristóbal Island. They were super curious & delightful to watch, landing on my hat several times.
#birds #birding #Galápagos #GalápagosEndemics #mockingbirds

ChArtuso@chartuso· 4d

Española Mockingbird (Mimus macdonaldi), Isla Española, © Christian Artuso Endemic to only island of Española, Española Mockingbird is largest of the 4 Galápagos mockingbird species, with longest legs and most decurved bill #birds #birding #Galápagos #GalápagosEndemics #mockingbirds #Española

Española Mockingbird (Mimus macdonaldi), Isla Española, © Christian Artuso
Endemic to only the small island of Española, the Española Mockingbird is largest Galápagos mockingbird species, with the longest legs and most decurved bill.
#birds #birding #Galápagos #GalápagosEndemics #mockingbirds

ChArtuso@chartuso· 7d

Galápagos Mockingbird (Mimus parvulus), Islas Galápagos, ©Christian Artuso 4 species of #mockingbird on #Galápagos inspired Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Here: Galápagos Mockingbird from Isabela, Santa Cruz & Genovesa (Genovesa taxon may require taxonomic revision one day) #birds #birding

Galápagos Mockingbird (Mimus parvulus), Islas Galápagos, ©Christian Artuso

The four species of mockingbird on the Galápagos Islands, with their subtly different plumage patterns, size and bill shape, were a big part of the inspiration for Charles Darwin and his version of the theory of evolution. I did not go to Floreana so I will post three species & you can try to spot the differences. Let’s start with the most widespread species, the Galápagos Mockingbird. These photos are from Isabela, Santa Cruz & Genovesa (the Genovesa taxon may require taxonomic revision one day).

ChArtuso@chartuso· 10d

Something a little different today... a video of a Galápagos Flycatcher landing on my lens... so many magical moments like this (no video of the San Cristobal Mockingbird who landed on my head shortly after)... Apologies in advance for the excess suncream, ha ha!

ChArtuso@chartuso· 11d

Galápagos Flycatcher (Myiarchus magnirostris), Islas Galápagos, ©Christian Artuso The Galápagos Flycatcher is common on the large islands. They seem so curious and friendly as you can see in the last photo, perched on my camera. Photos from Isabela, Santa Cruz & San Cristobal. #birds #Galapagos

Galápagos Flycatcher (Myiarchus magnirostris), Islas Galápagos, ©Christian Artuso

The Galápagos Flycatcher is common and widespread on all the large islands. They seem so curious and friendly as you can see in the first photo that I took with my cell phone. In fact, they perched on my camera or my head several times, as did some mockingbirds, and sometimes seemed to fly alongside me for a few hundred metres as I walked a trail. Birders from anywhere in the Americas will recognise them as a Myiarchus tyrant-flycatcher, the second endemic tyrant-flycatcher of the Galápagos. These photos are from Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal.

ChArtuso@chartuso· 14d

Brujo Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus nanus), Isla Isabela, ©Christian Artuso The Brujo Flycatcher is now a Near-threatened island endemic & “magical” #birds (brujo means wizard, bruja witch, and this word seems to be used a lot in the Galápagos, probably referencing the magical feel of the islands.

Brujo Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus nanus), Isla Isabela, ©Christian Artuso
The Brujo Flycatcher is a split from Vermilion Flycatcher and hence only recently considered an island endemic. They look very much like Vermilion Flycatchers but are noticeably small. This species is considered “Near-threatened” and is often discussed as a conservation concern, having disappeared from some formerly occupied islands and sites, most notably the San Cristobal subspecies being considered extinct. There are several issues including degraded habitat from introduced species, domestic cats and other introduced mesopredators, and the accidently introduced Avian Vampire Fly (Philornis downsi). There are conservation efforts on Isabela that seem to be working well, so Volcán Sierra Negra is where most people get to see these “magical” birds (due to its accessibility). I use the word “magical” because brujo means “wizard”, and bruja “witch”, and this word seems to be used a lot in the Galápagos, probably referencing the magical feeling of the islands and their lifeforms.

ChArtuso@chartuso· 17d

Galápagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis), Islas Galápagos, ©Christian Artuso The Galápagos Hawk is endemic. I saw them on Isla Santiago & Santa Fé only. They are not common & considered globally Vulnerable. One interesting natural history traits is their polyandrous, cooperative, breeding system #hawk

Galápagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis), Islas Galápagos, ©Christian Artuso
The Galápagos Hawk is the only endemic diurnal raptor; the only hawk you will see on the Galápagos Islands. I saw them on Isla Santiago (from Bartolomé) and Santa Fé only. Though related to Swainson’s Hawk, this species does not migrate. Although they occur on c. 10 of the islands, they do not seem very common and are considered globally Vulnerable due to their small population size. One of their interesting natural history traits is their polyandrous, cooperative, breeding system.
#birds #birding #wildbirds #endemicspecies #hawks #raptors #Galápagos #GalápagosEndemics

ChArtuso@chartuso· 18d

Galápagos Dove (Zenaida galapagoensis), Islas Galápagos, © C. Artuso The Galápagos Dove was one of the first endemics I saw in the Islas #Galápagos, as soon as I stepped off the plane. They were common on small, dry, shrubby islands. These photos are from Isla Baltra, Isla Española Isla Genovesa.

Galápagos Dove (Zenaida galapagoensis), Islas Galápagos, © Christian Artuso
The Galápagos Dove was one of the first species & first endemics I saw in the Islas Galápagos, as soon as I stepped off the plane in fact. They were common & easiest to see on the small, dry, shrubby islands, though they also occur on the large islands in the subtropical forests. These beautiful doves are most closely related to Zenaida Dove and Eared Dove found on the continent. These photos are from just outside the airport on Isla Baltra, Isla Española (sheltering from the rain in a lava crack) & Isla Genovesa.
#birds #birding #wildbirds #endemicspecies #doves #pigeons #Galápagos #GalápagosEndemics

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jul 27

long time in the making, beautiful example of migratory birds as environmental connectors & cultural messengers: www.childrenofthesky.org 2 special events: * KIN Collective Gathering in Whanganui November 29- December 2 & * Children of the Sky Summit in Wellington from December 3-5 -who are we?

long time in the making, beautiful example of power of migratory birds as environmental connectors & cultural messengers:
www.childrenofthesky.org

two special events:
** KIN Collective Gathering in Whanganui November 29- December 2
&
** Children of the Sky Summit in Wellington from December 3-5

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jan 18

gaakaabishiinh / Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio), gichi-ziibiing, adaawaang, anishinaabewakiing This red Eastern Screech-owl apparently moulted body feathers July - September & was comical in appearance in peak moult. All photos heavily cropped & lighting conditions vary #owls #owlsoftheworld

gaakaabishiinh / Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio), gichi-ziibiing, adaawaang, anishinaabewakiing, C. Artuso.

This red Eastern Screech-owl apparently moulted most body feathers from July to early September, & was comical in appearance when in peak moult in late July. I made somewhat regular, super quick dawn checks of one of their regular roost sites to observe this. All photos are heavily cropped & lighting conditions vary.

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jan 14

Exciting Job Opportunity: usask.csod.com/ux/ats/caree... The position will lead the management of the Indigenous Grasslands Stewardship and Knowledge Exchange Network collaboration between the kihci-okāwīmāw askiy Knowledge Centre and the Indigenous Kinship Circle (IKC).

The position will lead the management of the Indigenous Grasslands Stewardship and Knowledge Exchange Network collaboration between the kihci-okāwīmāw askiy Knowledge Centre and the Indigenous Kinship Circle (IKC). The IKC is a cross-boundary community of practice for Indigenous people and allies working to advance the wellbeing of communities across the Central Grasslands of Turtle Island. The position will focus on engagement and outreach, also ensuring the inclusion of IKC Mexican partners and US based IKC members are included as part of the collaborative conversations contributing to the success of the project.

ChArtuso@chartuso· Nov 4

Indigenous Kinship Circle presents on Nov 19th Honoring the Wisdom of Indigenous Peoples and Our Relationships with Grasslands. Register at: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... We will discuss working to uphold Indigenous lifeways, sciences,+ within the context of large-scale conservation

The Indigenous Kinship Circle will give a symposium on November 19th entitled "Honoring the Wisdom of Indigenous Peoples and Our Relationships with Grasslands". You can register to attend here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrthaYKXlA7KFnfH8TJ3RhjaCMq_tBUgoBWwWmeDQanED9tg/viewform

This presentation will discuss working to uphold Indigenous lifeways, sciences, cosmovisions, and knowledge exchange and mobilisation within the context of large-scale conservation efforts.

ChArtuso@chartuso· Aug 24

Gaakaabishiinh dash wiin gaa-kaa-gaa-kaa inwe. Miish iinzan mwinaans ezhinaagozigwen (onzaam mawikaazo enwed), gonimaa “waagbinwenh” (waagibiN /waag-/+/-we/?), “niningbinwenh” (niningibinigo /nining-/+/-we/?) gaye. Gichi-nitaa gaazonaadizo a’aw gaa-izhi-waabameg omaa nimazinaakizoning #birds #owls

Gaakaabishiinh dash wiin “gaa-kaa-gaa-kaa-gaa-kaa” inwe (@Charles Grolla). Miish iinzan “mawinaans” ezhinaagozigwen (onzaam mawikaazo enwed), gonimaa iidog “waagobinwenh” (waagibiN: /waag-/ + /-we/?), “niningbinwenh” (niningibinigo: /nining-/ + /-we/?) igaye. Gichi-nitaa gaazonaadizo a’aw gaakaabishiinh, gaa-izhi-waabameg omaa nimazinaakizoning.
gaakaabishiinh; gaakaabshiish (https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu; pers. comm.)
waagbinwenh (https://dictionary.nishnaabemwin.atlas-ling.ca)
mwinaans (https://dictionary.nishnaabemwin.atlas-ling.ca)
niningibin'wenh (Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary);
Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio), photo © Christian Artuso mezinaakizwaad

ChArtuso@chartuso· Aug 10

Boodawidoombe owiinizowin iinzan ezhi-dazhimigodogwen gaa-nitaa-gwiishkoshid geshkii-dibikak. Miish gaakaabishiinh dash wiin i’iw ikidowin ezhi-aabajitoong ji-wiinigowaad anooj dinowa egaashiinyijig e-dadaataba'amaazowaad geshkii-dibikak. Miish giiwenh gaakaa-gaakaa-gaakaa enwewaagwen agiw. #birds

boodawidoombe (https://ojibwe.net, Maya Chacby & students)
yooyoosha'sew (Maya chacby & students)
gaakaabishiinh (https://dictionary.nishnaabemwin.atlas-ling.ca)
kakabé (https://potawatomidictionary.com)
American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata), photo © Christian Artuso mezinaakizwaad

Boodawidoombe owiinizowin iinzan ezhi-dazhimigodogwen gaa-nitaa-gwiishkoshid geshkii-dibikak (dabishkoo “boodaadan” i’iw ikidowin). Miish “gaakaabishiinh” dash wiin, i’iw ikidowin, ezhi-aabajitoong ji-wiinigowaad anooj dinowa egaashiinyijig e-dadaataba'amaazowaad geshkii-dibikak. Miish giiwenh “gaakaa, gaakaa, gaakaa” enwewaagwen agiw.

ChArtuso@chartuso· Aug 9

A’aw miskogiigik dash wiin gichi-gikenimaa, gichi-zhawenimaa, anooj igo gaa-izhi-izhinikaazong indawaaj. Miskowanashkidii a’aw e-gichi-aya'aawid (ozaawaawanashkidii e-oshki-aya'aawid), gaa-izhi-wiinind miskogiigik, mishkwananiisi, memeskononiisi igaye. #birds #Anishinaabemowin #raptors #hawks

miskogiigik (Binesi-Dibaajimowinan by Charles Grolla)
mishkwan-naniisi / miskwananiisi (Binesi-Dibaajimowinan by Charles Grolla, Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary)
memeskniniisi / memeskoniniisi (https://dictionary.nishnaabemwin.atlas-ling.ca, Maya Chacby & students)
gekek (Zach Rempel thesis, Wabaseemong Independant Nations)
noodiswe'esi (Nibinamak Bilingual checklist)
boonise (Freelang)

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), photo © Christian Artuso mezinaakizwaad

ChArtuso@chartuso· Aug 2

East Asian Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena sunameri), 욕지섬 Yokji Island, 한국 South Korea, © C. Artuso I'll get back to birds in Anishinaabemowin soon after these East Asian Finless #Porpoises. They reminded me of baby beluga, but more muscular and much faster – a very cool #cetacean indeed!

East Asian Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena sunameri), 욕지섬 Yokji Island, 한국 South Korea, © C. Artuso

I would like to get back to my posts on birds in Anishinaabemowin, so I will end this series with one of the mammalian highlights, a small pod of East Asian Finless Porpoises seen from the ferry. When their back came out of the water they reminded me of a baby beluga, although much more muscular and a lot faster – a very cool cetacean indeed!

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jul 27

Yellow-billed Grosbeak (Eophona migratoria) & Japanese Grosbeak (Eophona personata), South Korea, © C. Artuso The 2 finch species in East Asian genus Eophona (Greek εως dawn + φωνη sound, for their dawn song) are stunners. Yellow-billed nests in Korea, Japanese is a passage migrant. #birds

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jul 26

Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyanus), 우포늪 Upo neup, 한국 South Korea, © C. Artuso We used to think the beautiful Azure-winged Magpie had a VERY disjunct distribution (in far east & far west Eurasia), but now Iberian Magpie is separate species, the two species remaining in their own genus #birds

Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyanus), 우포늪 Upo neup, 한국 South Korea, © C. Artuso
The Azure-winged Magpie is one of many beautiful corvids of East Asia. We used to think this species had a VERY disjunct distribution (in the far east and far west of Eurasia), but now the Iberian Magpie has been separated from the Azure-winged Magpie, the two species remaining in a genus of their own. In South Korea, this species seems to have quite a patchy distribution, at least to me.
#birds #jay #jays #Corviidae #corvids #KoreanBirds #AsianBirds

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jul 24

Pacific Swift (Neophocaena sunameri), 욕지섬 Yokji Island, 한국 South Korea, © C. Artuso Photographing swifts is always a challenge with old equipment. The Pacific Swift has a northern distribution, including Siberia, & overwinters as far south as Macquarie I. in subantarctic. #birds #swifts #Apodidae

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jul 22

Tiger Shrike (Lanius tigrinus), 욕지섬 Yokji Island, 한국 South Korea © C. Artuso Tiger Shrikes is another handsome shrike I learned to love in Southeast Asia where they overwinter. I've included a scan of a slide I took @ Gunung Panti, Johor, Malaysia many years ago #birds #asianbirds #shrikes #lanius

Tiger Shrike (Lanius tigrinus), 욕지섬 Yokji Island, 한국 South Korea, © C. Artuso
Tiger Shrikes is another handsome shrike I first learned to love in Southeast Asia where they overwinter. I've included a scan of a slide I took at Gunung Panti in Johor, Malaysia many years ago #birds #asianbirds #shrikes

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jul 20

Bull-headed Shrike (Lanius bucephalus), 우포늪 Upo neup, 한국 South Korea, © C. Artuso There are several shrike species in South Korea, including the handsome Bull-headed Shrike, who is quite similar to Brown Shrike. #birds #shrikes #shrike #Laniidae #KoreanBirds #AsianBirds #UpoMarsh #UpoNeup

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jul 19

Blue-and-white Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana), 부산 Busan, 한국 South Korea, © C. Artuso The beautiful Blue-and-white Flycatcher is another handsome Muscicapidae flycatcher who is relatively common in South Korea in the summer months and as a passage migrant. #birds #Asianbirds #birdphotogrpahy

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jul 16

Yellow-rumped Flycatcher (Ficedula zanthopygia), 우포늪 Upo neup, 한국 South Korea, © C. Artuso A male Yellow-rumped Flycatcher gives the “flycatchers” a different vibe by robbing a spiderweb. The 35 Ficedula flycatchers are varied, some brightly coloured, others strikingly pied, some cryptic. #birds

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jul 13

Asian Stubtail (Urosphena squameiceps), Busan, South Korea, © C. Artuso Scotocercidae (bush-warbler family), secretive family from Afro-Asiatic tropics, Asian Stubtail being one of northernmost. Some nearly tailless (Urosphena, Tesia, Neumann’s Warbler) move thru dense understorey with ease. #birds

Asian Stubtail (Urosphena squameiceps), Busan, South Korea, © C. Artuso
Sharing a few more beautiful South Korean birds, this being the skulking Asian Stubtail from the Scotocercidae (bush-warbler family). The whole family is generally secretive but with a lot of character. They are found across the Afro-Asiatic tropics, extending a little into the termperate zones, with the Asian Stubtail being one of the northernmost family members. There are several nearly tailless family members (e.g. generera Urosphena, Tesia and the Neumann’s Warbler) who move through the dense understorey with impressive ease.

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jul 12

팔색조, ヤイロチョウ, 仙八色鸫, Fairy Pitta (Pitta nympha), 경상남도 Gyeongsangnam-do, 한국 South Korea, © C. Artuso Despite their radiance, pittas (Pittidae) are skulkers & drive birders crazy. Fairy Pitta is migratory & considered globally Vulnerable. I heard their distinctive song before dawn & found 3. #birds

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jul 6

따오기, トキ, 朱鹮, Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon), 우포늪 Upo neup, 한국 South Korea, © C. Artuso I'll return to Anishinaabemowin soon, but here post on the Endangered Crested Ibis, once thought extinct, featured in art, poetry, song, in Korean called 따오기 (ttaogi) for their haunting call. so happy to see

ChArtuso@chartuso· Jul 6

maamakaadendaagwad enakamigak ji-ganawenimaawaad ashkaakamigokwen, gakina gidinawemaaganinaana', ji-ganawendamowaad i'iw gichi-mashkode gemaa This work is just so amazing in caring for Mother Earth and all our relatives, including the prairie biome (askiy.usask.ca/news/2025/in...)

ChArtuso@chartuso· May 24

Giniw dash wiin makadewigwane, ozaawaandibezo. Michaakonawii a’aw, aanawi go dakogwed. Migiziwan dash, nawaj igo ginwaabiigigwewan apiich idash giniw. Naasaab izhinikaazo giniw godag inwewining, dibishkoo gëno (boodawaadamiimowin); kihew / kihîw (omashkiigoomowin), glu (miijimaawisimowin) #birds

giniw (https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu, many sources)
ginew (Zach Rempel thesis, Wabaseemong Independent Nations)
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), photo © Christian Artuso mezinaakizwaad
The spectacular Golden Eagle is usually called “giniw” (though sometimes other names might be used). This magnificent bird is also the surname of Manitoba’s current premier. Giniw is likely an old word and similar words occur in related languages, e.g. gëno in Boodawaadamii (Potawatomi), kihew or kihîw in Nêhiyawêwin, glu in Mi’gmawi’simk (Mi’gmaq language) and so on. #Anishinaabemowin

ChArtuso@chartuso· May 17

Baatayiinadoon owiinzowinan a’aw miijigwane, dibishkoo eshkimegwe, biijigwane, giigoonyikeshiinh, ikidomagadoon e-amwaan giigoonyan. Nizaagi’aa e-ganawaabamag gaagoonyiked, niibideshimaad giigoonyan (niibide-owiiyaaw). Miish wenji-wenipanizid e-bimiwinaad aniw giigoonyan. #Anishinaabemowin #birds

miijigwane / michiigigwane (Binesi-Dibaajimowinan by @Charles Grolla, Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary)
eshkimegwe / eshkmegwenh (Binesi-Dibaajimowinan, https://dictionary.nishnaabemwin.atlas-ling.ca)
biijigigwane / biijigigaane / biijigigoone (https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu, Zach Rempel thesis, Nibinamik bilingual checklist, others)
onooji-ginoozhewesi / noojiigiigoonweshi (Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary)
giigoonyikeshiinh / giigoonigekek (Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary, others)
ogiishkimanisii (Ernest McGregor Algonquin Lexicon, also means kingfisher)
migizi (Freelang Ojibwe Dictionary, commonly means Bald Eagle)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), photo © Christian Artuso mezinaakizwaad #Anishinaabemowin #birds

ChArtuso@chartuso· May 11

Wiinaange gaawiin awi-nitaagesiishkidog, aanawi zhiigozhiganan indawaa ezhi-miijid. Waasa onitaa-ako-naajimaandan begishkanimaagwak. Amanj owiinzowin gii-onjiimagadigoban wiinanichige, goni “wiinizi” edang. Wiinaange gii-izhigozi giiwedinong noomaya gaa-izhi- waabamind Anishinaabewakiing giiwedinong