A NOTE FROM OUR TEAM

Hello! I recently returned from maternity leave, and I am absolutely thrilled to be back on the UCLA campus leading Project Phoenix. It was such a delight to learn that 375 volunteers have already joined this year's incredible team of community scientists, and more folks sign up every day! Welcome, all – and thank you for helping us monitor and protect the birds we love.

We are still recruiting volunteers for Project Phoenix 2024. Please encourage your friends and family to participate. Our program is open to all bird enthusiasts, regardless of previous birding experience, and folks can begin their surveys anytime. If you are struggling with data collection, please connect with our team. We are here to help you! Check out our online resources or drop by our virtual office hours.

Birding with my son has brought me so much happiness. Together, we've listened to the House Finches sing along the streets of L.A., watched Western Bluebirds hunting insects in the grassy fields at Will Rogers State Park, and caught glimpses of orioles, jays, and hawks on stroller rides in our neighborhood. My baby boy fills me with hope for the future. His joy just being outside is palpable and contagious. He coos when looking up at trees and grins when he feels an ocean breeze. The wonder in his eyes when he sees a new flower or hears a new bird song is a poignant reminder that nature is our original muse. Maybe if we brought that childhood wonder back to conservation, we'd inspire more adults to care.

I wish you wonder and awe on your next birding adventure.

BIRD OF THE WEEK: Black Phoebe

by Caitlin O’Neil | Communications Lead, Project Phoenix

The Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) is a species of flycatcher that resides along the Pacific coast of California, down through the Western United States, Mexico, and into South America. More social than other flycatchers, Black Phoebes can be found visiting backyards to hunt for their favorite food, flying insects. Black Phoebes will perch on low branches and dart out to catch dragonflies, bees, beetles, grasshoppers, and other bugs in mid-air!

Black Phoebes are excellent house hunters and builders. (Seriously, they could have their own HGTV show!) A male Black Phoebe will hover over a potential nesting spot for 5 to 10 seconds, waiting for his mate’s approval – the female decides what’s prime real estate. Black Phoebes need to nest near a water or mud source, as females use mud to construct their cup-shaped nests along walls, bridges, and cliffs. Phoebes then line their nests with plant fibers, feathers, and furs to keep chicks warm. Both male and female Black Phoebes participate in feeding their young after they hatch.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: What is this?

Our Volunteer Spotlight is dedicated to celebrating all the wonderful volunteers who make Project Phoenix possible!

We’d love to share your story. Consider telling us more about your journey to Project Phoenix by filling out the form at the bottom of our volunteers page.

We encourage our volunteers to let us know why they’re excited about Project Phoenix, but we’re keen on learning more about you, too! Here are some questions to think about:

• When did you first become interested in birding?

• What is your favorite place to explore, or just be outside?

• Do you have a favorite bird (or more than one)?

• Tell us about a memorable birding experience.

• What are you hoping to learn from participating in Project Phoenix?

We’d also love to celebrate your nature photography, artwork, writing, and other creative endeavors. Feel free to send us examples of your art and photos of your birding adventures to projectphoenix.socal@gmail.com. We hope to hear from you soon!

WHAT’S THIS: Tuesday Virtual Office Hours

Our Virtual Office Hours, which are held on Tuesdays from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm PST, are a great way to connect with our team and ask questions about Project Phoenix. Here are just some of the questions you can ask us:

• I’m having trouble with the eBird app, do you have any advice?

• Can you walk me through conducting a survey?

• Do you have resource suggestions for beginner birders?

• I’m not 18 yet, but would like to collect data – how do I sign up?

• How do you access our checklists? How do we know that you will find our surveys?

Feel free to stop by just to say hi to our team as well. We hope to see you there!

FEATURE STORY: How Do Birds Breathe?

by Caitlin O’Neil | Communications Lead, Project Phoenix

Birds breathe more efficiently than we do, which makes them more vulnerable to wildfire smoke and other air pollution. Birds evolved to take up lots of oxygen when they breathe to sustain the high metabolic rates needed to fly. Birds can breathe so efficiently because of the physical structure of their lungs. When humans (and other mammals) breathe, our diaphragm pulls our lungs down to draw air into our lungs and pushes up on our lungs to expel air. This results in a bidirectional airflow. Avian pulmonary systems, by contrast, are set up to facilitate a unidirectional airflow.

Birds’ pulmonary system consists of rigid lungs and interconnected air sacs. The air sacs are what inflate and deflate, while the lungs remain at the same volume. To inhale, birds expand their chest cavity, which expands the air sacs, just like blowing up a balloon. Exhaling occurs when the skeletal muscle compresses the air sacs. This system allows birds to constantly push fresh, oxygenated air into their lungs on both the inhale and exhale. Gas exchange occurs between air capillaries and blood capillaries in their lungs. The air flow and blood flow move in opposite directions, optimizing the rate of gas exchange. To visualize how this all happens (for humans, birds, and grasshoppers!), check out this fantastic animated infographic by Dr. Eleanor Lutz!

Thank you to all our partners and supporting organizations!

Project Phoenix is grateful to our partners and all the supporting organizations who help our program soar. Visit our partners page to learn more about the incredible work of these non-profit organizations – from science to conservation to outdoor recreation, these orgs are dedicated to protecting our environment for people and the birds we love.