Researchers found millions of years ago birds were host to many different kinds of viruses, serving as a melting pot where viruses recombined and shared genetic information. The study suggests avian retroviral evolution differs from other vertebrates.
Researchers mapped the wildly divergent migration routes of two British Columbia subspecies of Swainson's thrushes using geolocators. The study reveals key feeding and rest habitats relied on by birds during their long journey, potentially informing conservation efforts.
A new study using the UW tags recorded over 28,000 interactions among 34 crows, showing a surprising number of contacts between non-related crows. The technology allows researchers to study animal social interactions on an incredibly fine scale, revealing key insights into bird behavior and social networks.
Researchers have found malaria in birds in Alaska, predicting the disease's spread due to global warming. The northerly spread may devastate arctic bird species with no resistance.
A University of Alberta study estimates that Canadian homes are a kill zone for up to 22 million birds annually. The research suggests that bird fatalities from window collisions can be prevented by adjusting feeder placement distance from windows. Factors influencing collision frequency include tree age and feeder feeding habits.
A study led by Rice University found that the Pacific island of Guam has a staggering 40 times more spiders than neighboring islands due to the loss of forest birds caused by the invasive brown treesnake. The loss of birds, which consume spiders and compete with them for insects, has led to an increase in spider populations.
Researchers found that Western scrub jays gather around a dead bird's body and call loudly, attracting other birds to join in. The purpose of this behavior is unclear, but it may serve as a warning system or teach young jays about dangers.
Research found that desert-like, or xeric, yards have a more even bird community and superior habitat compared to moist, or mesic, grass lawns. Native plants in urban yards offer birds 'mini-refuges' and help offset losses of biodiversity in cities.
A recent study suggests that yards with desert-like vegetation offer better habitat for native birds than traditional grass lawns or non-native plantings. The study used quantitative measures to assess foraging behavior of common backyard birds in Phoenix, Arizona.
A recent analysis of avian feather lice reveals that their ancestors first colonized a particular group of birds and then radiated to different habitats, evolving into distinct species. The study found striking similarities in the adaptations of lice living in specific habitats on birds, which are attributed to convergent evolution.
Researchers found that birds experiencing dramatic seasonal swings in temperature and precipitation sing more variable songs. This adaptability helps them communicate effectively across different habitats. The study analyzed over 400 male birds from 44 species, including orioles, warblers, and finches.
A York University study found that songbirds follow a strict annual schedule when migrating to their breeding grounds. The research tracked the migration routes and timing of individual birds over multiple years, revealing consistent departure times with only three-day differences from year to year.
Researchers compared Eurasian Jays with local school children using three tasks of varying complexity, revealing that children learn cause-and-effect relationships in a different way than birds. The study found that while the birds struggled to understand the mechanism, the children focused on simple cause-effect relationships.
Young children exhibit similar associative learning and problem-solving skills to birds until around 8 years old. After this age, their performance surpasses that of the birds, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE.
A US Department of Agriculture study found that using lights on aircraft makes them more visible to birds, reducing the risk of collisions. Researchers tested Canada geese's response to radio-controlled model aircraft with different lighting conditions, finding that geese respond more quickly to aircraft with lights on.
Researchers found that diving birds stay fit and active until their 30s, with high metabolisms and frequent dives producing oxidative stress. These findings provide critical insights for human aging, a topic currently dominated by short-lived animal studies.
Scientists found that giant insect sizes decreased after birds evolved around 150 million years ago. Insect size was linked to oxygen levels over hundreds of millions of years, with high oxygen concentrations allowing larger insects during the late Carboniferous period.
Researchers found that modern birds are living dinosaurs with skulls similar to those of their juvenile ancestors. By analyzing fossil evidence and CT scans, they discovered that a change in developmental timing led to the evolution of birds, enabling them to retain physical characteristics of baby dinosaurs into adulthood.
Researchers found that introduced white-eye birds outcompeted native Hawaiian species for food and resources, leading to stunted growth and feather replacement issues. This threatens the long-term survival of these endangered bird species, which are considered 'conservation reliant' in Hawaii.
Studies by University of Gothenburg researcher Daniel Gustafsson reveal that body lice can spread more easily than wing lice, defying expectations. Genetic data shows that almost identical body lice are found on most sandpipers worldwide, highlighting the importance of migration patterns and host bird size.
A new study reveals that some wandering albatrosses are breeding 2.2 days earlier than before, with older or recently changed partners being key drivers of this trend. The researchers found no clear explanation for the change, which may be linked to environmental factors such as weather or ocean conditions.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that over 6 million birds die every year at communication towers during migration, primarily due to getting caught in cables. Replacing steady-burning lights with blinking ones on approximately 4,500 towers could potentially reduce mortality by 45%.
A new study using high-resolution satellite mapping technology has counted over 595,000 emperor penguins in Antarctica, nearly double the previous estimate of 270,000 to 350,000 birds. The research provides an important benchmark for monitoring the impact of environmental change on these iconic birds.
Researchers tracked changes in birdsong over time and found a strong link between the shift and increasing urban noise. Birds changed their tune to be heard above the cacophony of car horns and engine rumbles, with one dialect dominating the city's song repertoire.
A new study identifies nearly 130 bird species at risk due to climate change, with 72% of threatened and endangered species projected to be further impacted. The research provides a comprehensive list of vulnerable species for conservation action, prioritizing wetland birds and those dependent on sea or near-shore habitats.
Researchers discovered that urban birds' songs are altered by city structures, which reflect and distort noise, affecting their ability to communicate effectively. This study, published in PLOS ONE, challenges the previous assumption that birds sing louder to drown out noise.
Researchers found that birds in changeable climates are more prone to infidelity and divorce. This may be because unpredictable weather conditions make it harder for birds to predict the environment during breeding season, leading them to seek new partners for increased genetic diversity.
A recent review of 200 scientific studies warns that climate change and habitat loss will drive tropical bird extinctions, with 87% of bird species spending time in the tropics. The study predicts 600-900 land bird species may go extinct by 2100, highlighting birds as 'canaries in the coal mine' for ecosystem changes.
Biologists Fran Bonier and Ignacio Moore investigate how stressed bird parents care for their young and respond to environmental challenges. The study aims to determine whether glucocorticoid levels affect bird parenting behaviors, with potential implications for understanding the effects of stress on organisms and evolution.
Researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa report that native forest birds are experiencing prolonged molting periods due to increased competition with introduced Japanese white-eye birds. This change in molt timing and duration is associated with food scarcity and has significant implications for bird survival and growth.
A new study by Duke University researchers has found that tropical birds are moving to higher elevations in response to climate change, but at a slower rate than predicted. The animals appear to be tracking changes in vegetation rather than migrating rapidly, suggesting a delay in their response to warming temperatures.
A growing body of evidence shows that man-made noise is bad for birds, particularly bigger birds with low-frequency songs. These species may be forced out of noisy sites because they can't hear each other over the din.
Research suggests climate change is increasing avian malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases in Hawaiian forests, threatening the survival of endemic bird species. Native birds have adapted to these changes by developing tolerance to malaria, allowing them to expand their ranges into previously inhospitable areas.
Researchers found that birds' wings have grown longer and bodies are increasing in mass over the last 27 to 40 years in central California. Climate change is believed to be behind the trend, which challenges the usual thinking about climate change and body size.
Researchers found that individual birds varied their technique and dropped blades of grass less often as they gained experience. The study suggests that birds have the mental capacity to learn and develop skills through repetition.
Researchers found that penguins can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar odors, using smell to guide behavior and avoid kin recognition. This study provides important insights into bird social recognition and has potential applications for conservation and breeding programs.
A new study provides clear evidence that many primitive bird species survived right up until the time of the Chicxulub meteorite impact. The team identified and dated a large collection of bird fossils representing various species, showing diversity in size, beak structure, and other features.
Researchers have solved the debate on which bird digits exist, finding that precursor cells in pb can form a thumb despite pa cells dying off during development. The study, published in Nature, reveals new insights into embryonic development and vertebrate evolution.
A Tufts University study found that analyzing bird feathers can detect corticosterone levels, a hormone linked to avian stress response. The technique provides a long-term snapshot of stress exposure and has implications for conservationists studying human impacts on wildlife.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that male songbirds use scent to attract both female and male mates through the 'Axe effect'. Female birds preferred the odor of smaller males, while larger males overcompensate with greater amounts of an attractive scent.
Scientists from Harvard University trained pigeons to fly through an artificial forest, gaining insights into their navigation methods that could inform auto-pilot technology design. The birds' ability to assess obstacles and choose straight routes could lead to more efficient and energy-saving navigation systems.
Researchers analyzed over 345,000 bird capture records to assess the risk of injury or mortality from mist netting. Frequently captured birds were found to be less at risk than those captured infrequently due to established adulthood and territory ownership.
A study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals that a protein called globin E plays a crucial role in supplying oxygen to the avian retina. This finding helps explain how birds evolved large eyes without a dense network of ocular capillaries, and sheds light on the unique properties of the avian eye.
Ovenbirds and veeries use chipmunk calls to identify safe nesting spots, avoiding areas with high predator activity. By eavesdropping on chipmunk vocalisations, birds can select optimal locations for their nests, reducing the risk of predation.
Researchers found that birds flap their wings while running up steep objects to conserve energy, with power savings reaching 10%. This behavior may be essential for learning to fly and could have been a key stage in the evolution of flight.
A new study reveals that bird plumage coloration falls short of filling the colour space, leaving vast regions unoccupied. Despite having an additional color cone sensitive to ultraviolet light, birds can only produce a subset of colors theoretically visible to other birds.
New York Medical College scientist Stuart A. Newman suggests that the loss of a gene critical for heat generation led to the emergence of enlarged skeletal muscles in birds, enabling them to walk on two legs and adapt to flying or swimming. This theory challenges traditional views on bird evolution and extinction
Researchers at Yale and Cambridge found that birds' plumage colors only represent a fraction of the colors they're capable of seeing, thanks to additional UV-sensitive cones. The study suggests that structural colors produce most of the color diversity in bird feathers, with limitations preventing them from creating certain colors.
Research suggests that urban woodlands with moderate clearance (less than 50% of understory removal) support high bird diversity while still allowing for rambling opportunities. The findings have implications for forest management to balance ecological and social values.
Researchers found that closely related species respond similarly to noise by tweaking their songs in different ways, with plumbeous vireos raising the pitch of their lowest note and grey vireos adjusting the highest part of their song. The study provides insight into how birds cope with increasing noise levels in their environments.
A new study found that animal personalities are reflected in their oxidative stress profiles, with timid birds experiencing higher levels of damaging oxygen toxins and weaker defenses. In contrast, curious birds had better defences against oxidative damage.
Research reveals that birds developed better olfactory capabilities during early evolution, surpassing even those of small meat-eating dinosaurs. This finding contradicts the long-held notion that bird ancestors prioritized vision and balance over smell.
Contrary to long-held assumptions, birds developed a better sense of smell than their dinosaur ancestors, suggesting that scent played a crucial role in early bird evolution. The study reveals that ancient birds, like Archaeopteryx, had a sense of smell similar to modern-day pigeons.
A University of Guelph study found that male birds that stay behind gain better breeding sites and are more attractive to females, leading to increased mating success. In contrast, migrating birds are often in poorer condition and less likely to survive the heavy rains.
Researchers found evidence that lice began to diversify before the mass extinction of dinosaurs, supporting the idea that major groups of birds and mammals were around before their extinction. The discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding the evolutionary history of these animals.
New research suggests that wild migratory birds, such as bar-headed geese, may contribute to the spread of bird flu by carrying the virus between domestic farms and wetlands. The study found a significant link between Tibet, Qinghai Lake, and H5N1 outbreaks in both wild and domestic birds.
A new study published in IBIS reveals that birds see the world differently from humans, with limited spatial detail and enhanced movement detection. This understanding can inform guidelines to reduce bird collisions with obstacles.
A new study reveals that American kestrels and other raptorial birds are more sensitive to the rodenticide diphacinone than previously thought. Birds ingesting high doses can die within days, while those consuming lower amounts survive with minimal harm.
A study by Smithsonian scientists found that suburban areas can be ecological traps for breeding birds due to high predation rates, particularly from domestic cats. The team tracked 69 fledgling catbirds and found that almost 80% were killed before reaching adulthood, with most deaths occurring within the first week after fledging.
A new conservation index helps policy-makers deal with the effects of climate change on birds in Africa, suggesting that international cooperation is essential to protect species. The study predicts that one-third of protected areas will undergo significant changes due to climate change.