Wacky Science Winners: CBS News

[2011rhythmdivine]

Birds really think the one in the reflection is another bird to which he can relate with. This is what I did when we had a parakeet in the cage spending its life alone. In order for it not to be so lonely, we placed a mirror inside the cage. Surprisingly, he has gotten to talkative from then on. We would always see him shouting in front of the mirror.

[BumperBumper]

The bird is defending his turf. He sees a rival in the glass.

[jackh84]

We had a similar problem with a bird at school. We think the bird is seeing its reflection in the glass, thinks its another bird and trys to mate with it.

[omegastar19]

haha i remember that last guy. He got famous when he discovered a duck that he flown against his window and died because of it. When he approached the dead duck he saw another duck hop onto the dead duck and proceed "rape" him. Did i mention both were males? :)

[ObscuredObloquy]

....I'd just open the window

[Chilldogg]

A bird used to knock on my window and wake me up on Saturday mornings when I was trying to sleep in. This went on for almost a year.

[maverickmandy]

Actually, most of the funding for these areas of "research" comes from donations made to the universities and student tuition. The percentage of funding coming into universities via the tax payers is laughable. If anyone should be upset it should be the students paying tuition at these schools.

[soultronik]

why doesn't the crow have a headache

[dejahthoris]

Maybe that bird thinks his reflection is a girl bird and he is going after her.

[RSinton]

Gah, I am so dissapointed in people complaining about this video in regards to money and time/effort spent on "trivial" endeavors. If you're so concerned about the world go get a pH.D. and do the damn work yourself. You think they spend every waking minute on this stuff? It's called a hobby, some people watch TV, they think about science, they should all be getting awards for not exhibiting the lethargy which is so prevalent in today's society.

[darbump64]

I just think it's funny that so many people care about the black bird!

[rinote]

I bet that bird has short term memory loss.

[baelr0g]

the blackbird got pwned by that glass, he can't accept it, he just won't.

[thelifeinbetween]

The reason the bird is flying into the glass window is because he sees his own reflection and thinks its his mate. He's just trying to get to her. Essentially the poor bastard is in love with himself but doesn't know it.

[ad3543]

Actually many great discoveries are found by accident when someone investigates a curiosity that interests them. The main thing is to recognize a question that you can't answer. Also, there is a very good chance they are not getting any public funds. A lot of research is funded by private grants. Any grant they get, public or private requires a detailed proposal outlining the step by step goals of the research and all costs, in advance.

[TrevorPace]

I assure you that the ammount of money being spent on these guys is no where near as much as other stuff such as I believe 1 million dollars for Teleporting Technology.

Thats still really funny though.

[Si665]

What is really scary is that these guys are being funded by your taxes ! - Just think of the good they could do, if they applied all that knowledge into research that would benefit the entire world, like polution free limitless energy or something - funny, but jeez what a waste of time and effort.

[wstoner]

Open the door the bird wants in Duhhhh. lol

[StewL69]

I'm impressed by the spaghetti. Mine often breaks in the same manner and I've wondered why. He deserves the award. I'm satisfied.

[drRKside]

Trying to understand the little things in and about our world beats coming up with ways to destroy it any day.

[chuckdawobbly]

i wonder what the bird would do if someone removed the window

[NightSnake]

well they laght at einstein, but some of this things can lead us to bigger projects

[TTer70]

Pure sweetness

[cyno55]

i need that woodpecker hat.

[Watermelondreams]

My friend listened to the lectures the night the prizes were given out; she said it was hilarious.

[ultamentdark]

lol i would sit there for hours and watch that bird fly into the window it would never get old

[brittany9191]

haha that bird is aweome

[abc123boyfreak]

that bird is awsome

[RAbbi74]

Good stuff.

[mao12345]

awesome! very creative researchers!

[sweetbriargirl]

I think that these people should be applauded for their contribution to the world: making us all feel better about ourselves.

[Daiden]

Not bad, but I wasn't impressed with the reporter. He almost seemed to be making fun of them.

[Wushi]

Thats pretty cool

[kronbons]

HAHAHAHAHHA

[acanipe]

This is the duck!

[mikeymac00]

If I were the guy who has the bird flying into his window, I would just open and door and see why the bird wants in so badly

[OOPSIEOOPSIE]

What a bird!!

[bcbaroo]

Nice. People smarter and dorkier than me.

[cyspy]

Yo dat is some crazy stuff...