Turns Out Sparrows Are Jerks

So here I was, just reading this delightful story in the New York Post about how a family of sparrows made a nest within a New York City crosswalk sign, and I happened upon some upsetting information:

When it comes to finding a nest, house sparrows are notoriously aggressive.

"They are fierce nest competitors," said Karen Purcell, an urban-birds specialist with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "They are able to evict other birds, even native species. They are survivors."

Purcell speculated that the cozy, steel-encased and rat-proof casing may have housed a bluebird, tree swallow or titmouse before the sparrows took over.

Sparrows will sometimes build their nest on top of another bird's eggs, dooming the unborn chicks.

"They are pretty ruthless, and that's why a lot of people don't like them," Purcell said.

All this time I've been watching them bop around thinking they were so kindhearted. You played me, sparrows. You played us all.

Llama Odyssey

This poor llama named Homer had been seen wandering around Pike's Peak, CO for a month. Things weren't going so well for him.

"[The llama] roamed the mountain's south slope, living off alpine vegetation and trying to unsuccessfully to make friends with a herd of bighorn sheep."

Sheep can be such jerks!

Eventually two nice folks went up and captured him. They're going to find him a new home.