If you're like me, you're thinking, «But I went into science because I want to study quasars,» or «because I'm obsessed with
migratory birds,» or «because I was too nerdy
for a Ph.D. in anthropology but not nerdy
enough for a Ph.D. in engineering.»
That all changed in 2007, when,
for the first time, researchers developed trackers that were light
enough for wood thrushes and purple martins; they hooked up 34
birds, and even though only seven of the tagged
birds were found the next year, these seven gave the scientists major insight — and newfound respect — into the
migratory lives of these silver - voiced flyers.