Grantus4504

Welcome!

Hello, Grantus4504, and welcome to Wikipedia! Thank you for your contributions. I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are some pages that you might find helpful:

• The five pillars of Wikipedia
• Tutorial
• How to edit a page
• How to write a great article
• Manual of Style

I hope you enjoy editing here and being a Wikipedian! Please sign your messages on discussion pages using four tildes (~~~~); this will automatically insert your username and the date. If you need help, check out Wikipedia:Questions, ask me on my talk page, or ask your question on this page and then place {{helpme}} before the question. Again, welcome! — Rod ^talk 17:23, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Stub sorting

Hello Grantus4504,

I noticed you marked an article as a stub using the {{stub}} template. Did you know that there are thousands of stub types that you can use to clarify what type of stub the article is? Properly categorizing stubs is important to the Wikipedia community because it helps various WikiProjects to identify articles that need expansion.

You can view the full list of stub types at WP:STUBS.

If you have questions about stub sorting, don't hesitate to ask! There is a wealth of stub information on the stub sorting WikiProject, and hundreds of stub sorters. Thanks! Kannie | talk 01:21, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

Kannie has smiled at you! Smiles promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. Spread the WikiLove by smiling at someone else, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend. Happy editing!
Smile at others by adding {{subst:Smile}} to their talk page with a friendly message.

Lalla Ward

I've had to remove the picture of Romana because it is a fair-use image. It cannot be used to illustrate an article about Lalla Ward because a free alternative could be obtained. Thanks. --Rodhullandemu (Talk) 12:44, 7 April 2008 (UTC)

Refs etc

I note your references on your user page. I don't know if you have ambitions to aim for good or featured article at some time, but if so I would avoid fancy stuff like aut or small isbns. Manual of style for refs is to conform with the book, journal and web template style eve n if writing refs manually. Also write journal titles in full, without abbreviations, and italicise book and journal titles. I'm working on White-breasted Nuthatch at present if you're unsure of mos style jimfbleak (talk) 06:33, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

No problem, I've done a few GAs and FAs now, so if you have any queries, just ask, or try the project page - there's a list of bird GAs and FAs, and people on the talk page are really helpful. jimfbleak (talk) 07:03, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

Might be an idea to read WP:LEAD, don't link from the bolded text jimfbleak (talk) 08:06, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

I'm afraid so. Even when the article's finished, before going to WP:FA, I'd run the article pass the project talk page, and then send it to WP:GA or WP:PR first. It is not easy to get FA, and the intermediate steps will hopefully tweak the article for its trial by ordeal. I don't think we have had an auk GA or FA, so there's no ideal template, but there are plenty of bird species FAs that will help you with structure, headings, what should be included etc. A range map is helpful but not obligatory, and I'd suggest looking at the Project page suggestions for section headings jimfbleak (talk) 10:36, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

The headings on Arctic Tern are definitely not standard now, and it looks as if the article hasn't been maintained well - the appearance and adaptation sections would never survive GA or PR, let alone FA. Better to use the WP:BIRDS headings or something similar, since it's likely that they will get changed to them anyway jimfbleak (talk) 15:23, 6 August 2008 (UTC)

If you need more images, try [| here]

In "Description" what subspecies is being described? Units need to have imperial conversions in parentheses; ranges (units or pages) should have – instead of a hyphen; and numbers should be separated from their units by a non-breaking space   Book refs - some don't have page ranges. jimfbleak (talk) 12:06, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

Yes, I've tweaked it a bit too. You need to say the sexes are identical, still needs juvenile appearance, and obviously the calls need more.

OK, revert "becomes" - leave the Alcini bit with me, I'll sort it tomorrow. jimfbleak (talk) 16:12, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

MoS for images - shouldn't sandwich text between images, also image at the start of a section shouldn't be left-aligned. jimfbleak (talk) 18:02, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

More thoughts

1. subspecies - are you able to describe the remaining subspecies? Is it worth tabulating the subspecies eg like White-breasted Nuthatch? It’s up to you, but I’d be inclined to list the currently accepted ssp, and then comment on those that are no longer accepted, reversing the emphasis. As written, it leaves the status of the Pacific ssp hanging – they have been proposed, but….
2. Unless you’re planning to extend them, I don’t think the one-paragraph mini-sections under “Reproduction” are a good idea.
3. I’m conscious that I’m breathing down your neck on this article. I won’t be offended if you tell me to let you get on with it. Alternatively, you may want to flag it up on the project page or ask User:Sabine's Sunbird for comments – three seabird FAs jimfbleak (talk) 08:59, 8 August 2008 (UTC)

Just put a message here headed with the article title, saying that you want to get this to GA/FA and would welcome any input. There are several of us with experience preparing article for that, or able to provide resources like maps and diagrams. The target is 50 bird FAs by Christmas! On the image thing, remember that you still have to write a proper lead, and you could put Taxonomy before Description (I often do for just this reason), both of which will push Description down the page jimfbleak (talk) 12:41, 8 August 2008 (UTC)

I'd do the lead last, it was just a reminder that there would be a bbit more text to push description down jimfbleak (talk) 11:50, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

Common Guillemot

Hi, thanks for the message. The lead looks much better and I think the "intro too short" message can go now. Re: referencing in the lead - there are differing views about this but the consensus seems to be that references in the lead (a) generally shouldn't be necessary as the lead should just summarise facts found elsewhere but (b) for particularly controversial articles, particularly confusing statements, things that will raise eyebrows or things that aren't mentioned elsewhere, a ref is a good idea. Re: yellow-billed guillemots, I think the answer has to be "extremely rare" - I've never seen one, and I'm sure the same applies to most birders I know. The article quotes Tim Birkhead, an ecologist at Sheffield Uni who has done lots of work on Guillemots, and he's said he seen several over the years with partially yellow bill/legs but nothing like the bird shown in the photo in Birding World. I don't mind if you move the references around. Lundy - yes, although I've never been - I must make it over one day. All the best. SP-KP (talk) 09:38, 17 August 2008 (UTC)

Hi. Yes, that looks fine. SP-KP (talk) 22:36, 18 August 2008 (UTC)

Welcome!

Hi, and welcome to the Birds WikiProject! As you've probably guessed, we're a group of editors working to improve Wikipedia's coverage of bird-related topics.

A few features that you may find helpful:

• Our navigation box points to most of the useful pages within the project.
• Most important discussions take place on the project's main discussion page; it is highly recommended that you watchlist it.
• The project has several departments, which handle article quality assessment, detailed article and content review, outreach, and other tasks.
• If you're looking for something to work on, there are many articles that need attention.
• Read our current newsletter, and sign up for (or opt out) of future issues.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask any experienced member of the project; we'll be happy to help you. Again, welcome! We look forward to seeing you around! MeegsC | Talk 08:50, 18 August 2008 (UTC)

Images

If you ever take Guillemot to FAC, the image licences will be carefully scrutinised. The taxobox image and the Farallon image both list a different name for the uploader and the photographer. Although in both cases they are are likely to be the real and wikipedia names of the same person, it might be an idea to get them to make this clear on the image summary. jimfbleak (talk) 10:26, 1 September 2008 (UTC)

Ibis

Thanks a ton. That is valuable information ! Shyamal (talk) 02:11, 12 September 2008 (UTC)

Filter feeding

I am running through literature around me and can see nothing stating that Avocets are filter feeders. All I find is "sweeping", "scything" and so on through the mud. Shyamal (talk) 13:52, 3 October 2008 (UTC)

WikiProject Birds October newsletter

The October 2008 issue of the Bird WikiProject newsletter has been published. You may read the newsletter, change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you, or unsubscribe from this notification by following the link. Thank you.
This has been an automated delivery by BrownBot (talk) 00:21, 11 October 2008 (UTC)

WikiProject Birds November newsletter

The May 2024 issue of the Bird WikiProject newsletter has been published. You may read the newsletter, change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you, or unsubscribe from this notification by following the link. Thank you. This has been an automated delivery by TinucherianBot (talk) 07:45, 11 November 2008 (UTC)

Common Guillemot

I saw your message about the linking of the article and went to have a look at it to see what could be done to make it pretty, and was impressed how pretty it already looked. You might be able to push it towards GA fairly quickly if you are interested, and I have some more refs (I used to work with this species in California). Good job! Sabine's Sunbird talk 01:11, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

WikiProject Birds February newsletter

The February 2009 issue of the Bird WikiProject newsletter has been published. You may read the newsletter, change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you, or unsubscribe from this notification by following the link. Thank you. MeegsC | Talk 21:57, 10 February 2009 (UTC)

WikiProject Birds March newsletter

The March 2009 issue of the Bird WikiProject newsletter has been published. You may read the newsletter, change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you, or unsubscribe from this notification by following the link. Thank you.
This has been an automated delivery by BrownBot (talk) 21:36, 3 March 2009 (UTC)

WikiProject Birds April newsletter

The April 2009 issue of the Bird WikiProject newsletter has been published. You may read the newsletter, change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you, or unsubscribe from this notification by following the link. Thank you. MeegsC | Talk 15:36, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

WikiProject Birds May newsletter

The May 2009 issue of the Bird WikiProject newsletter has been published. You may read the newsletter, change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you, or unsubscribe from this notification by following the link. Thank you.

• Newsletter delivery by xenobot 06:07, 17 May 2009 (UTC)

WikiProject Birds June newsletter

The June 2009 issue of the Bird WikiProject newsletter has been published. You may read the newsletter, change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you, or unsubscribe from this notification by following the link. Thank you.

• Newsletter delivery by xenobot 13:52, 3 June 2009 (UTC)

WikiProject Birds August newsletter

The August 2009 issue of the Bird WikiProject newsletter has been published. You may read the newsletter, change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you, or unsubscribe from this notification by following the link. Thank you.

Newsletter delivery by –xeno ^talk 02:20, 6 August 2009 (UTC)

Science lovers wanted!

Science lovers wanted!

Hi! I'm serving as the wikipedian-in-residence at the Smithsonian Institution Archives until June! One of my goals as resident, is to work with Wikipedians and staff to improve content on Wikipedia about people who have collections held in the Archives - most of these are scientists who held roles within the Smithsonian and/or federal government. I thought you might like to participate since you are interested in the sciences! Sign up to participate here and dive into articles needing expansion and creation on our to-do list. Feel free to make a request for images or materials at the request page, and of course, if you share your successes at the outcomes page you will receive the SIA barnstar! Thanks for your interest, and I look forward to your participation! Sarah (talk) 02:05, 17 April 2012 (UTC)

ArbCom elections are now open!

Hi,
You appear to be eligible to vote in the current Arbitration Committee election. The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to enact binding solutions for disputes between editors, primarily related to serious behavioural issues that the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the ability to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail. If you wish to participate, you are welcome to review the candidates' statements and submit your choices on the voting page. For the Election committee, MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 13:42, 24 November 2015 (UTC)

ArbCom 2018 election voter message

Hello, Grantus4504. Voting in the 2018 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23.59 on Sunday, 3 December. All users who registered an account before Sunday, 28 October 2018, made at least 150 mainspace edits before Thursday, 1 November 2018 and are not currently blocked are eligible to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once.

The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail.

If you wish to participate in the 2018 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 18:42, 19 November 2018 (UTC)

Speedy deletion nomination of Category:Pacific auks

A tag has been placed on Category:Pacific auks indicating that it is currently empty, and is not a disambiguation category, a category redirect, a featured topics category, under discussion at Categories for discussion, or a project category that by its nature may become empty on occasion. If it remains empty for seven days or more, it may be deleted under section C1 of the criteria for speedy deletion.

If you think this page should not be deleted for this reason you may contest the nomination by visiting the page and clicking the button labelled "Contest this speedy deletion". This will give you the opportunity to explain why you believe the page should not be deleted. Please do not remove the speedy deletion tag from the page yourself. Liz ^{Read! Talk!} 02:05, 15 May 2023 (UTC)