Migratory Bird Day and Red-wing Springs

To celebrate International Migratory Bird Day—today!—we’re going to look at one of the most conspicuous migratory species that you’ll see on Shedd’s grounds. From its high-pitched trill to a flash of red on black to the surprising thunk on the back of your head, the red-winged blackbird is hard to ignore.

This Remote Is for Hands-on Science

 
We are in the middle of National Environmental Education Week. Nature is the best classroom, but sometimes you need a little technological help to dive deeper.

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

If you wonder what National Invasive Species Awareness Week, March 3 to 8, means to you, consider this: More than 180 invasive species have adopted the Great Lakes ecosystem as home.

One-eighty. And counting.

September Fish of the Month: Lake Whitefish, Trap-Net Caught

Choices on family meals can contribute to healthier, more environmentally-sustainable food systems – sushi is no exception! Overfishing, destructive fishing gear and destructive fish farming methods put our aquatic ecosystems at risk. By purchasing sushi made from fish that are caught or farmed using environmentally-friendly practices, you can support the health of our lakes and oceans while ensuring your kids will have a robust seafood supply in their future. As a parent, how can you translate these big ideas to your young eater? Step away from the fish sticks and pick up a bamboo mat: it’s time to get cooking!

A Whale of a Birth Announcement

The Shedd Aquarium family is delighted to announce the birth of beluga whale Mauyak’s calf. The little whale—estimated at 4½ feet and 150 pounds—arrived at 2 a.m. today after a smooth labor. Both mom and calf are doing well, and the calf appears to be strong.

As with any marine mammal birth, Shedd’s animal care and animal health staff members remain cautious during these early hours as they watch for the calf to pass a number of critical milestones. But the little beluga is in the best care possible—Mauyak is an experienced mom, and she has a support crew of trainers and veterinarians who are monitoring the pair around the clock.

Youth: The Next Wave for Change

The theme for this year’s World Oceans Day is Youth: The Next Wave for Change. By participating in Shedd Aquarium’s work-study program, Chicago-area teens can become just that: the change that they want to see in others. Over the course of their time at Shedd, the teens in the work-study program develop into role models for the guests that they interact with daily in the galleries and exhibits. As they become members of the workforce, they also discover their own passions and how to share them with others.

The one-week milestone!

Piquet’s calf sailed past another milestone as he or she (we still haven’t gotten a close enough look) passed the one-week mark. The gender mystery is actually part of the positive outlook—the animal care and animal health teams haven’t needed to help—and therefore examine—the calf because it is doing so well under mom’s care.

Smoothies every half hour

To nurse is instinctive; to do it efficiently is an acquired skill. Since the calf started nursing Tuesday evening, both it and mom Piquet have been on a steep—and productive—learning curve.

Got milk!

Piquet’s calf has hit the milk milestone, beginning to nurse around 6:20 p.m. Tuesday and continuing about every 30 minutes since then. Until nursing starts, members of the animal care team can practically hear a clock ticking the minutes in their heads as they watch the calf swimming alongside mom, expending energy. That mom and calf made the lactation linkup less than 24 hours after the birth was a joy and a relief.

Welcome Piquet’s calf

At 10:34 last night, we welcomed Pacific white-sided dolphin Piquet’s calf into the Shedd Aquarium family. Both mother and calf appear to be doing well. The calf immediately swam to the surface for its first breath, then began to swim and bond with Piquet (pee-KEHT). These are the first of many critical milestones the calf must achieve in the coming days and months; our animal care staffers are monitoring mom and calf around the clock, watching for continued bonding and the start of nursing.