Sutcliffe, the Wonderful Dinosaur Dad!

More evidence that budgies are tiny dinosaurs.  Furthermore, birds and dinosaurs are better dad's than most mammals.

From "Science" Magazine's 2008 Scientific Highlights:

Dutiful Dinosaur Dads

In more than 90% of living bird species, males play a role in the parental care of their offspring.  By comparison, males contribute to parental care in fewer than 5% of mammalian species...Varicchio et al present compelling evidence that in three species of dinosouars...males were the individuals responsible for caring for eggs and young.

Three Eggs!

Very exciting! We can count three eggs as of yesterday. The parents are very much covering the view most of the time, with Mary Ann into close to full time brooding behavior, so we can't tell if another one has been laid or not today: so three for sure, so far. Sutcliffe continues to scuttle about, but today, for the first time, Mary ann booted him out of the box. Perhaps this signals the end of egg laying, perhaps not. Of course we will keep you posted! As R noted earlier, a lovely flourish of trumpets is warranted!

Ta dada DAAA (trumpet flourish!)!!!!