A field experiment on wild kittiwakes found that birds with high energy costs during breeding raised more chicks the next year, but at a cost to their own survival. The study reveals how flexible energy use can lead to hidden trade-offs in life-history strategy.
Researchers at Brown University have developed an aerodynamic model that simulates the forces at play when birds fly in a V formation. The model shows that birds experience an 11% reduction in mechanical power needed for flight due to reduced wing flapping, leading to significant energy savings.
Researchers used an egg shuffle experiment to study the pied flycatcher's non-breeding areas. The results show that both genetic inheritance and hatching environment play a role in determining these areas.
Researchers tracked pied flycatchers from eight countries and found that genes and environment influence their migration routes. The study suggests that the birds' wintering locations are determined by a mixture of inheritance and natal environment.
A new study reveals that species with larger brains produce fewer but larger offspring, leading to the evolution of larger eggs. The research analyzed data from mammals, birds, and reptiles, suggesting that brain evolution drove changes in reproduction across dinosaurs and birds.
Researchers have found a new species of dinosaur, Jian changmaensis, which is believed to be the missing predator that hunted early birds. The dinosaur had long feathers on its front and back limbs, giving it four 'wings' that may have been used for gliding.
A new fossil species, Plumadraco, has been found with the longest tail feathers ever recorded on a fossil bird. The analysis suggests that the bird's tail feathers were used for attracting mates, and the color of the feathers was probably dark brown or black.
Researchers have developed a new approach to reducing bird collisions with wind turbines by using warning signals found in nature, such as yellow, red, and black colors. The study found that these colors combined with rotating motion were more frightening to birds than existing patterns used on wind turbines.
A study found that wild sulphur-crested cockatoos learn about novel food through social learning, with juveniles more likely to conform to the majority's preferences. The birds' dietary knowledge spread rapidly through their community, influenced by age groups and sex.
Researchers found that urban birds flee sooner when approached by women compared to men in a European study. The study involved over 2,700 observations across five countries and 37 bird species, revealing that birds can recognize the sex of approaching humans.
A team of researchers, led by Felicity Newell, tracked over 8,000 birds in Peru's cloud forests and found that breeding times vary significantly due to changing environmental conditions. The results suggest a more complex response to climate change than previously thought.
A Europe-wide citizen science study reveals that common buzzards are becoming more uniform in color, with lighter birds found in north and central Europe and darker birds in Brittany and Iberia. The study's findings suggest that the loss of color diversity may compromise the species' ability to adapt to future environmental changes.
Researchers develop a new technique to identify individual night-flying birds for the first time, using thermal imaging optics. The method, tested in Cape May, New Jersey, allows scientists to detect and photograph birds in flight after dark, revealing new insights into nocturnal bird migration and natural history.
Researchers found that birds adapting to sugar-rich diets evolved both shared and unique genetic changes, affecting genes controlling blood pressure, heart rhythm, and insulin signaling. These findings hold promise for understanding metabolic diseases like diabetes and may lead to new therapeutic targets.
Researchers tracked 17 bird species crossing Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea using miniature tracking devices. Birds flew at varying altitudes depending on wing morphology and plumage color, with some species flying extremely close to the water surface.
A new study reveals that both non-native and native birds play a key role in the transmission of avian malaria, which has contributed to the extinction of over a dozen species of Hawaii's native birds. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and infects birds' red blood cells, leading to low blood oxygen levels and damage to organs.
Researchers found that many birds don't strictly follow their supposed temperature adaptations, instead moving to efficiently acquire and use energy. This 'energy efficiency' hypothesis suggests that altitudinal migration is a behavioral mechanism allowing birds to optimize their energy budgets in the face of seasonality and competition.
The earliest known bird, Archaeopteryx, had unique mouth features such as oral papillae, tongue bones, and bill-tip organs. These structures suggest that early birds evolved specialized ways to find and digest food efficiently, which is key to flight. The discovery provides new criteria for identifying dinosaur fossils as birds.
The new tool offers a comprehensive phylogenetic dataset that syncs with current taxonomy, allowing users to trace any bird's lineage and explore major evolutionary milestones. Birders can also visualize their eBird life list in context of bird orders, families, and genera.
Scientists at Lund University have tracked migratory red-backed shrikes using new data loggers, showing precise schedules and minimal variation between individuals. The study provides insight into genetics influencing small bird migrations across continents.
Researchers found that kestrels deter smaller birds from fruit while also reducing the likelihood of cherry damage more than tenfold. Kestrels were associated with a 3-fold reduction in droppings spotted on branches, making them a low-cost, low-maintenance tool for growers.
Researchers observed monk parakeets gradually approaching strangers before forming relationships, with caution escalating into friendly behaviors. This study reveals the benefits of 'testing the waters' in social interactions, potentially applicable to human friendships and social bonding.
Many bird species can learn to comprehend vocal signals, including gulls recognizing mates and songbirds eavesdropping on neighbors. Comprehension learning is more widespread than usage learning in birds.
A study published in Nature found that wild birds, particularly ducks, geese, and swans, are driving the current US bird flu outbreak. The viruses were introduced to North America via migratory birds and have become better adapted to infect wild birds since 2020.
A new study found that insectivorous birds in the Eastern Himalayas are declining in survival rates and body mass due to changes in forest microclimates after selective logging. The team suggests conserving primary forests and creating shade covers or supplementing water sources to support vulnerable species.
A new global study found a correlation between a species' aesthetic value and its likelihood of being traded, particularly in live markets. The study highlights the troubling pattern that people's preference for visual beauty may unintentionally increase conservation risks for certain species.
Researchers discovered that woodpeckers brace their head, neck, abdomen, and tail muscles to hold their bodies rigid while pounding on wood. The birds synchronize their breathing with each impact, like ace tennis stars grunting noisily to stabilize core muscles.
Researchers found that birds prefer lanternflies that haven't fed on the tree of heaven, suggesting a toxic defense mechanism. This discovery could inform effective management strategies for the spotted lanternfly pest.
A team of researchers has shed light on how Europe's largest bat hunts and consumes small birds. The bats use loud and low-frequency ultrasound echolocation calls to detect prey at great distances, then pursue it in steep dives towards the ground, catching and eating birds in mid-air.
Researchers found over 20 bird species across four continents produce nearly identical whining calls when spotting parasites, suggesting a shared learned response.
Researchers found that offshore migration over Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico occurs in more concentrated pulses for a shorter time compared to terrestrial migration. The study identified critical window of time when millions of birds migrate offshore each year, offering wind energy managers opportunity to reduce collisions.
A new study from Lund University shows that migratory birds are most efficient at an intermediate flying speed, with energy conversion efficiency reaching up to 15% of metabolic energy. This discovery helps construct more accurate models of bird flight and explains how small birds complete transcontinental journeys.
A new study found that many Arctic-breeding waterfowl species can reduce their migration time by shortening fuelling periods, allowing them to arrive earlier in the Arctic. However, this strategy may only work for a limited time as the clock ticks away due to current rates of Arctic warming.
A study on jackdaw flocks found that sharp flock borders and edge behaviors can be explained by topological interactions, rather than complex survival strategies. The findings suggest that these patterns emerge naturally when birds follow mathematical rules governing neighbor interactions.
A microRNA discovered in male birds helps balance the activity of sex chromosomes, allowing for the survival of males despite genetic imbalance. This unique mechanism differs from mammals and highlights the diversity of evolutionary solutions to similar biological challenges.
A global ecology study reveals that birds migrating through tropical regions travel at a steadier pace but with more variation in altitude compared to temperate regions. Birds adjust their flight altitudes to avoid strong winds, a key finding with implications for conservation efforts in tropical cities.
Recent advances in molecular clock models and paleontological discoveries suggest many bird lineages originated during Late Cretaceous period. This early diversification coincided with the Cretaceous Angiosperm Terrestrial Revolution, a pivotal phase of terrestrial ecosystem restructuring.
A high protein diet has been shown to improve birds' immune function and tolerance to infection by triggering the expression of immune-related genes. Birds fed a high protein diet were more resistant to infection and showed reduced symptoms compared to those fed a high lipid diet.
A new study by NYU and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County found that 90% of bird species' names are derived from biological characteristics, while 11% are named after people. The database reveals specialized terminology used to name birds, which may not be accessible to native English speakers.
Scientists have discovered fossils of multiple bird species in the Arctic, including diving birds and gull-like birds, that were breeding during the time of the dinosaurs. The findings push back the known record of birds nesting in polar regions by 25-30 million years.
A collection of fossils discovered in northern Alaska reveals that birds were nesting in harsh Arctic environments as early as 72.8 million years ago. This finding provides new insights into how modern birds adapted to polar ecosystems and offers clues about their evolutionary history.
A study published in Conservation Biology found that songbirds modify their migration patterns when crossing the Corn Belt, a vast agricultural region. The birds fly faster and adjust their flight time to take advantage of tailwinds, but also use scattered forest patches as stepping stones to rest and refuel.
Researchers have identified two proteins in birds that compensate for the loss of a key immune component in humans, providing insights into combating respiratory diseases. The study sheds light on how birds maintain lung protection despite their unique respiratory anatomy.
A new study published in Royal Society Open Science explores the relationship between individual personality and song complexity in wild superb fairy-wrens. The research suggests that both male and female birds can advertise their personality traits when singing, which may be important for mate choice.
A study of European jackdaws reveals that sleep-deprived birds prioritize deep sleep over vigilant wakefulness. The findings suggest that even flexible sleep strategies have limits, highlighting the importance of understanding animal sleep patterns to better comprehend human sleep loss.
Research from the University of Chicago and University of Missouri reveals how modern birds' larger brains led to changes in their skulls, jaw muscles, and feeding mechanics. This evolution allowed for the development of cranial kinesis, enabling birds to move different parts of their skull independently.
The 2025 US State of the Birds Report reveals continued widespread declines in American bird populations across all mainland and marine habitats. Over one-third of US bird species are at high or moderate conservation concern, with 112 species facing severe population losses.
Researchers found that birds of similar age tend to have more similar repertoires, while mixed-age neighbourhoods exhibit higher cultural diversity. The pace of song turnover is driven by individuals coming and going, with older birds serving as 'cultural repositories' of older song types.
A new University of Texas at Arlington study reveals high concentrations of microplastics in bird lungs, with average particles per species and gram of lung tissue measured. The study highlights the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its far-reaching impacts on ecosystem health and human health.
Researchers compared feathers and bodies of flightless birds and their flying relatives, finding that some features change relatively quickly. The study sheds light on evolution of complex traits that lose original function, and could help reveal which fossil birds were flightless.
A new study on non-migratory birds found that environmental variability influences life history strategies, with fast-living birds prioritizing reproduction and long-lived birds hedging against bad years. Climate change may alter the odds of these bets, posing a challenge to species' adaptability.
Researchers at the University of Bristol discovered that emus and rheas can solve tricky problems to gain access to food. The study found that these large birds created one new technique in 90% of cases, showcasing their ability to innovate.
A new study has discovered two Jurassic-era bird fossils in China, shedding light on the early evolutionary history of birds. The fossils, including Baminornis zhenghensis, exhibit characteristics that highlight the role of mosaic evolution in bird development.
Researchers have found biofluorescence in 37 of the 45 known birds-of-paradise species, suggesting it plays a crucial role in male-male interactions and mating displays. The phenomenon is most prominent in males' bright plumage and skin areas highlighted during courtship displays.
A new study from UC Davis suggests that farmers can co-manage their areas for both agriculture and conservation by assessing the size of bird droppings. Smaller poops from smaller birds carry very low risk of foodborne pathogens, making it unnecessary to remove habitat or implement no-harvest buffers.
Scientists discovered that dry museum skulls of long-dead birds can provide surprisingly detailed information on their brain structures. The study found a nearly 1:1 correlation between the brain's volume and digital imprints, allowing researchers to gather insight into elusive species without seeing their brains.
Researchers found that cavity-nesting birds are more likely to use shed snake skins in their construction, which helps deter predators from eating eggs. The practice is thought to be an evolutionary adaptation to reduce nest predation, with benefits most strongly expressed in cavity nests.
A puzzle box experiment shows that great tits learn useful tricks from local experts after immigration, leading them to rapidly adopt beneficial behaviors. The study suggests that social learning is a crucial shortcut for animals to test new behaviors and unlock resources.