Taiwan bird research lab goes viral in Japan
Taiwan bird research lab goes viral in Japan
2024-05-28
A Taiwanese bird research lab has gone viral in Japan, with a clever weight measurement device! The researchers at NPUST Bird Ecology Lab attached a tree branch to a pair of scales. Now, whenever a wild bird lands on the branch, they get a quick and easy reading of its weight. It’s a truly non-invasive way to gather data about wild birds. Biologists at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology have been studying birds and their ecosystems in the lab for decades– but this is the first time they’ve gone viral online!
A common kestrel stands on the scale. It weighs in at 250 grams.
Now it’s an osprey’s turn. But it’s too heavy for the scale, which registers “Off the charts.” Then in the night, a Japanese scops owl swoops in.
Researchers at NPUST Bird Ecology Lab have studied the ecology of birds of prey in Taiwan for many years. Their latest bright idea is to use this tree branch as a platform for a scale. But they didn’t expect one of their photos to get shared on social media by Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Japan – and then go viral in Japan.
Mr. Huang
NPUST Bird Ecology Lab student
We’re quite shocked to go viral in Japan! It’s the first time someone has thought to install scales on a landing post on their lab.
The photo attracted 100,000 unexpected new followers on social media. These cute birds have really won the hearts of Japanese internet users, who are also impressed with the nifty scales innovation.
Huang Hsiao-yu
NPUST Bird Ecology Lab raptor researcher
When a bird stands on it, you can see its general weight from the pointer. Of course it’s not a terribly accurate figure, because there might be a leverage issue. But it’s an extremely simple and easy way to measure the weights of wild birds.
It’s not easy to capture wild birds, but with this simple jump-on scales system, researchers can gather useful data without disturbing birds’ lives. It might not be 100% accurate, but it’s certainly ignited plenty of interest in our feathered friends.
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屏科大「樹枝放磅秤上」幫野鳥量體重
2024-05-28
屏東科技大學鳥類生態研究室，日前突發奇想，把樹枝放在磅秤上，幫野鳥測量體重，並紀錄下照片，被台北駐日經濟文化代表處，轉發到社群平台後，意外紅到日本，萌翻網友，紛紛直呼野鳥量體重的模樣太可愛啦。
紅隼站上磅秤，成功記錄下體重，是250公克。
這時又飛來一隻魚鷹，但一站上去，體重太重，磅秤不幸"爆表"。到了晚上，還有領角鴞來報到。
屏東科技大學鳥類生態研究室，長期守護國內猛禽生態，這一次突發奇想，用樹枝幫野鳥測量體重，沒想到照片被台北駐日經濟文化代表處，轉發到社群平台，竟然意外紅到日本。
[[屏科大鳥類生態研究室 黃同學]]
“紅到日本去是蠻訝異的，第一次有人想到把秤直接裝在(博士)自己研發的棲架上。”
照片意外吸引超過10萬人追蹤，日本網友除了覺得鳥兒們實在可愛，也驚呼這測量方法太聰明了。
[[屏科大鳥類生態研究室猛禽研究員 洪孝宇]]
“站上去的時候，看指針就可以知道，牠的體重大概是多少，當然這個數值不會到非常精準，可能有槓桿問題，但是這是用來測量野外鳥的體重，一個非常簡便的方法。”
野生鳥類，平時難以捕捉，藉由樹枝測出體重，雖然不一定完全準確，但不打擾野生鳥類，又能收集資料，也意外掀起討論。
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