Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 October 16

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

Today's featured article
The Northern Pintail is a duck with wide geographic distribution that breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It is migratory and winters south of its breeding range to the equator. Unusual for a bird with such a large range, it has no geographical subspecies if the possibly con-specific Eaton's Pintail is considered to be a separate species. It is a fairly large duck, with a long pointed tail that gives rise to the species' English and scientific names. The Northern Pintail's many names describe the male's two long black tail feathers, which in flight look like a single pin or twig. Hens make a coarse quack and the drakes a flute-like whistle. The Northern Pintail is a bird of open wetlands which nests on the ground, often some distance from water. It feeds by dabbling for plant food and adds small invertebrates to its diet during the nesting season. When not breeding, it is highly gregarious, forming large mixed flocks with other species of duck. (more...) Recently featured: SMS Friedrich der Grosse – Southern Cross Expedition – Bernard Bosanquet Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the Koutoubia Mosque, or "Bookseller's Mosque", was named after the bookselling trade practiced in the nearby souk (mosque and souk pictured)? ... that Katie Hill, Clare Nott and Sarah Stewart are all members of the Australia women's national wheelchair basketball team that won the bronze medal at the 2008 Paralympics and the silver medal in 2012? ... that Shanghai Botanical Garden has a penjing garden that covers 4 hectares (9.9 acres)? ... that among the early problems within the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Caransebeş were defections to Greek Catholicism prompted by a simoniac bishop and a priest who disregarded the fast? ... that the Russian ironclad *Petropavlovsk* was the flagship of the Baltic Fleet during the 1860s and 1870s? ... that when Benny Goodman called to commission a clarinet concerto, Malcolm Arnold yelled "Sod off!" and hung up? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Pakistani child activist Malala Yousafzai, shot by a Taliban gunman last week, is sent to the United Kingdom for treatment. Norodom Sihanouk, former King of Cambodia, dies at the age of 89. Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner sets records for the highest manned balloon flight, highest skydive and fastest freefall speed. The High Court of Botswana rules that women have the constitutional right to inherit property. The European Union (flag pictured) is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe". Syrian civil war – Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
October 16: World Food Day 1841 – The Church of Scotland established Queen's College in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 1859 – Hoping to start an armed slave revolt, American abolitionist John Brown (pictured) led a raid on the Harpers Ferry Armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. 1940 – World War II: Nazi Governor-General Hans Frank established the Warsaw Ghetto, the largest Jewish ghetto in occupied Poland. 1978 – Polish Cardinal Karol Józef Wojtyła became Pope John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years and the first ever from a Slavic country. 1996 – At least 83 people were killed and more than 140 injured in a stampede at Guatemala City's Estadio Mateo Flores during a 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification match between Guatemala and Costa Rica. More anniversaries: October 15 – October 16 – October 17 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now October 16, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Sooty Oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus) is a wading bird endemic to Australia and commonly found on its coastline. It prefers rocky coastlines, but will occasionally live in estuaries. All of its feathers are black and it has a red eye, eye ring and bill, and pink legs. The heaviest of all oystercatchers, it weighs up to 980 g (2.2 lb), averaging around 819 g (1.81 lb), with females being slightly heavier than males.

Photo: JJ Harrison

Recently featured: Laguna Beach, California – Tabby cat – Whirlpool Galaxy

Archive – More featured pictures...

Other areas of Wikipedia

Community portal – Bulletin board, projects, resources and activities covering a wide range of Wikipedia areas.
Help desk – Ask questions about using Wikipedia.
Local embassy – For Wikipedia-related communication in languages other than English.
Reference desk – Serving as virtual librarians, Wikipedia volunteers tackle your questions on a wide range of subjects.
Site news – Announcements, updates, articles and press releases on Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Village pump – For discussions about Wikipedia itself, including areas for technical issues and policies.