How to identify the American Robin

All images of the American Robin here were taken at UTD.. As winter retreats, bird activity rises in the area and will peak in spring.

American Robins are among the most common garden birds in North America and have a popular presence in parks and lawns Most know these birds from their rich caroling that can be heard from the rise of dawn. A robin’s chest and belly are a warm orange, while its back and wings are a dull gray with a black head. Robins also have white spots around their eyes with a bright yellow bill and typically display upright posture and a titled head. Their song is a rhythmic series of 10 or so notes, which is often cheerful.

American Robins are quite vocal songbirds. Birds vocalize through songs and calls, which are used for a variety of pur-

Fleeing fish makes a splash at Minna art market

Reeling in customers by the dozen right as they walked through the doors, Fleeing Fish’s Yeon Poche and Yvonne Yu made their off-campus debut at Minna Art Market.

Showing off their brand-new table bought just for the event, the artist duo displayed their brightly colored prints, stickers and keychains at their booth at the front of the market. A variety of franchises were represented, with selections from the MMORPG “Final Fantasy XVI” and anime “Hunter x Hunter” to the iconic Garfield attracting attendees.

ATEC senior Poche and ATEC sophomore Yu have been friends since high school and started making merch last year. Known on all social media as @eoryuu and @yifxxn respectively, the two joined to create their shop Fleeing Fish after tabling at campus artist alleys together. Currently, their online shop can be found at https://eoryuu. bigcartel.com/.

“We're on the same brainwave, so we have simi - poses, including attracting mates, establishing territory and expressing emotions. Songs are most commonly used by the males of the species, and for certain species, the same series of notes is preserved for several generations. Young or subadult birds have a genetic inclination toward their own songs but learn the details from adults as they grow. The experienced can identify birds by song alone. One might consider familiarizing themselves with the song of the American Robin, as they are often heard singing in the mornings. As seen in these photos, the robins appear to be rounder than they usually are. Most birds are seen this way, especially on cold mornings. Fluffing up helps them trap air between their many layers of feathers, creating insulation in the same way a puffer jacket does.

Robins have a generalized diet, meaning they are not restricted by preferences like many birds. Thriving on variety, robins can commonly be seen foraging on the ground looking for seeds, insects, worms, or berries — in the right season. Robins’ widespread presence across North America is in part thanks to their adaptability to different terrains, as they can survive environments both wild and manmade.

When seen out of context, it is hard to believe these feet belong to a small songbird and not a velociraptor. This is fitting, as modern day birds are actually directly descended from theropod dinosaurs. Their ancestors gradually evolved specialized features that we now associate with birds, like talons.

Rocketbelly delights with self-serve boba options

Calling all boba lovers: Rocketbelly, the first self-serve boba shop in Texas, is open to the public!

lar tastes,” Yu said. “It makes it easier, because we have similar ideas and we're able to come up with ideas together.”

While on a bus, the two brainstormed the shop title “Fleeing Fish” by mixing their artist names.

“Fish” is the English translation of Poche’s “eoryuu” from Korean, and a Chinese character from Yu’s name means “fleeing.” Their logo, showcasing two fish in little hats, was inspired by Cartoon Network’s “The Amazing World of Gumball.”

“We just thought it would be like funny and silly,” Yu said.

Not only are the two able to share the workload and financial burden of running a business, but Poche and Yu found that two minds are better than one to run all aspects of their shop.

If you’re seeking self-serve boba, baked items or fried “rocket” chicken, head over to family owned Rocketbelly and prepare for an experience similar to space travel. The shop is practically light-years away from campus in Arlington. But with something as beloved as bubble tea paired with the option of individual customization, this shop is worth a trip.

When you enter, chances are you’ll be enthusiastically greeted by a 10-year-old girl. Her name is Olivia, and her parents own the shop. Around her, the ambience echoes the shop name, as LED lights line the counters and luminescent lamps hang above a set of gray and white couches next to a “Dance Dance Revolution” machine. The menu is projected on television screens that look as if they’re displaying space missions, not a selection of drinks and dishes. With retro, metallic chairs and plain tables, every detail in Rocketbelly is a nod to the space aesthetic. The shop is kid friendly and usually has families at peak times, so it’s not a perfect space for studying or quiet meet ups, but rather a pickup and go.

The main attraction: self-serve boba priced at $5.75 to $6.50. You grab a cup or bottle depending on your size selection and fill it with whatever toppings you like. Boba and jelly options are available in every shade and flavor, including mango, strawberry and lychee. The best part: you get to pour your own ice. There are countless options for tea, such as winter melon, black sesame and taro coconut milk tea, and every drink base is made with organic and non-dairy creamer. Don’t know