“If Latin America had not been pillaged by the U.S. capital since its independence, millions of desperate workers would not now be coming here in such numbers to reclaim a share of that wealth; and if the United States is today the world’s richest nation, it is in part because of the sweat and blood of the copper workers of Chile, the tin miners of Bolivia, the fruit pickers of Guatemala and Honduras, the cane cutters of Cuba, the oil workers of Venezuela and Mexico, the pharmaceutical workers of Puerto Rico, the ranch hands of Costa Rica and Argentina, the West Indians who died building the Panama Canal, and the Panamanians who maintained it.”
— Juan Gonzalez, Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America (via katelouisepowell)
the red-breasted pygmy parrot is a small parrot species endemic to the maluku islands and melanesia. this species is found at higher elevations than most other pygmy parrots; due to their differing habitat, they build nests in trees, while other pygmy parrots often build in preexisting arboreal termite nests. they are fast-moving and inquisitive birds who forage along trees in a manner reminiscent of nuthatches, seeking lichens, which make up the majority of their diet. only 8cm (3 in) in length, these parrots are occasionally predated on by larger species. they are sexually dimorphic, with males showing a green back, red belly and peachy throat while females are primarily green, sporting a blue crown and white face. it has been difficult to study these parrots in captivity, as they often do not thrive.
