Monday Fun Fact Mar 20

 

Burrowing Parakeet

image from eBird

image from CNN

The burrowing parakeet can be found in Chile and Argentina's cliff faces.

image from Birds of the World

Burrowing parakeets have the same mate for several years, and they fly in flocks.

You can watch a video of other South America's birds here:

South American birds - so peaceful!

at 4:00 minutes - burrowing parakeet

Monday Fun Fact Mar 13

 Snickers Candy Bar

image from Theisen's

The Snickers candy bar was created in 1930 by Mars, Incorporated.

The candy bar is chocolate-coated peanut, caramel and nougat treat that was named after the Mars family's favorite horse. 

The candy bar was originally called Marathon bar in the United Kingdom and Ireland, but in 1990 the Mars company branded all of the bars Snickers Bars.

image from Snickers

Not all candy is made in a factory. You can watch a video of a professional candy maker here:

https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/chocolatier-michael-laiskonis-chocolate-bonbons-video

Monday Fun Fact Mar 6

 The Slinky

image from iStock

The fun toy Slinky was invented by accident by Richard James in 1943.  Mr. James was trying to find ways to keep ship equipment steady while at sea, and he was experimenting with various types of springs.  He knocked over some of the spring samples, and he watched in amazement as they "walked down" instead of falling.   (Information from Museumofplay.org)

The toy began being sold in stores in 1945, and the "Slinky Song" became famous and helped to sell many of the toys.  Here is an old commercial:

Slinky Song

Slinky Manipulation became popular in 2010.  Slinky artists can twirl, spin, bounce, and jump the slinky toy in incredible ways.  Much like the yo-yo artists, the slinky artists are bringing new excitement to an old toy.  

Josh Jacobs, a Slinky manipulator, demonstrates his tricks in this video:

Slinky Manipulation

Note:  there is a brief audience reaction bleeped at 2m06s.