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Would you like to maximize bird habitat in your yard
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and create welcoming, healthy, and toxic free landscapes
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that benefit birds, your family, and the Earth?
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Join our friends at Growing Greener and Perfect Earth Project
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for weekly conversations with gardening experts
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who are working and living in harmony with nature.
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They share the many fun and beautiful ways
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we can boost biodiversity in our landscapes.
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Listen to Growing Greener anywhere you get your podcasts.
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Circling silently above the Earth on broad, black wings,
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vultures need little introduction.
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We know them as nature's cleanup crew,
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dining undead and decaying animals.
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A unique range of adaptations means they can feast
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on what's off limits for many other organisms.
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By the time vultures make a meal of carrion,
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bacteria have already started the process
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of breaking down the carcass.
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This releases chemicals that are toxic for most creatures,
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but not the vulture.
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Like us, they have bacteria on their skin and faces
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and in their intestines, but theirs are heavy duty.
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Flesh eating fuzo bacteria and highly toxic
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close stridia to name but two.
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Once the dead flesh is ingested,
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immensely powerful acids in the vulture's gut
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begin digesting the flesh so thoroughly
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that they even destroy the prey's DNA.
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But this dynamic digestive system
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destroys only some toxic microbes.
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It filters out others and concentrates them
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Vulture's not only tolerate this deadly bacterial brew,
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but appear to put it to work,
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extracting nutrients from food.
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In other words, they use bacteria from the food they eat
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to help them digest the food they eat.
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For bird note, on Michael Stein.
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Bird note is supported by wild-delight bird food.
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Wild-delight provides thoughtfully crafted blends
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that support wild birds and backyard birders alike.
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Anyone who feeds birds knows the challenge.
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Squirrels are clever, persistent, and always nearby.
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Wild-delight, sizzle and heat,
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and squirrel away zero waste blends
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offer a smart and natural solution.
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Nut and seed mixes coated with spicy peppers
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that deter squirrels.
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Fewer feeder aides and more food for the birds.
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Shop these hot blends and other wild-delight bird food mixes
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at chui.com and use code bird note
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for 20% off your next wild-delight purchase.
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Terms and additions may apply.