Research on birds and their behavior. Covers birdwatching and wellbeing, birds as pest control, birdsong, and migration.
A University of Colorado Boulder-led research team found the Iberá Seedeater, an endangered songbird, used genetic shuffling instead of new mutations for speciation. The bird's unique behavior keeps it apart from closely related species.
Researchers found scarlet macaws and Amazon parrots transported from over 300 miles away, eating the same diet as agriculturalists. Mummified birds were often eviscerated and mummified with their mouths open or wings spread in flight.
A new study finds that female choice regarding mate traits drives the emergence of new species in Iberá Seedeater songbirds. The study reveals pre-mating isolation as a powerful force in maintaining reproductive barriers between co-occurring species, leading to rapid speciation.
Researchers have identified two new species of critically endangered screech owls in the Amazon and Atlantic forests. The study used tape recordings to draw out the birds' calls, revealing variations indicative of different species.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that competition among free-living female songbirds changes gene activity in the brain, even after the interaction has ended. The effects can last up to two days and are related to epigenetic marks, which chemically modify DNA to link past experience with future behavior.
A University of Queensland-led study found that deforestation is severely affecting forest bird species in Colombia, leading to habitat loss for 69 endemic species and an astonishing reduction in overall species count.
In snowy plover species, females often abandon their broods to mate with new partners, a behavior that may be beneficial for parental reproductive success. The study found that females desert their broods primarily due to poor environmental conditions or when chicks have a good chance of survival without them.
Researchers found that bird parents who get help with childcare live an average of one to two years longer than those who do not. This is because helpers reduce the burden of care on parents, allowing them to reproduce again and again. The study highlights the importance of hard-working helpers in ensuring the longevity of bird parents.
A 30-year study in Tanzania found that warmer climates slow the population growth rates of tropical birds, particularly those with smaller bodies and lower elevation ranges. Climate effects on insect abundance, predator activity, or fruit timing may also negatively impact bird populations.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from over 1,000 bird species to understand malaria ecology. They found that the strains of malaria present in a local area don't always align with the types of birds living there, instead being influenced by weather patterns such as rainfall.
A survey of birdwatchers found that only 9% purchase bird-friendly certified coffee and less than 40% are familiar with it. Shade-grown coffee can help conserve habitats for migrating and resident bird species, but increasing awareness is crucial to mobilizing the estimated 45 million U.S. bird enthusiasts.
Researchers surveyed over 900 coffee-drinking bird-watchers and found that only 9% purchased shade-grown coffee due to lack of awareness about its impact on bird habitats. Increased advertising, availability, and collaborations may help raise awareness about the benefits of bird-friendly coffee.
A new study reveals a causal link between the decline of insectivorous birds and poor water quality, driven by human disturbance and pollution. The analysis shows that emergent insects, which serve as an important food source for birds, are highly sensitive to water pollution.
Researchers discover that male lyrebirds use mimicry to recreate the panicked alarm calls of a mixed-species flock during courtship and mating. This 'acoustic illusion' may be a crucial sexual behavior for males, helping them gain reproductive advantage by tricking females into responding as if they're at risk from a predator.
Researchers found that male superb lyrebirds create an acoustic illusion of a mobbing flock during courtship and copulation to trick females into staying with them. This complex behavior challenges traditional explanations of mimicry in biology, suggesting that elaborate bird songs can be driven by sexual conflict and deception.
Researchers found that Eastern bluebirds and tree swallows nesting in noisy boxes spent less time incubating eggs, had fewer eggs hatch, and produced fewer young than their neighbors. This suggests that compressor noise negatively impacted fitness through reduced hatching and fledging success.
Changes in wintering bird communities are significantly faster due to less sedentary behavior and warming temperatures, while breeding community changes are slower. The study tracked over 1,200 species since the 1980s, with rapid shifts towards southern species in Europe and North America.
A new study found that introducing premium commercial food with high protein content from meat reduced the number of prey animals brought home by 36%, while five to ten minutes of daily play resulted in a 25% reduction. These non-invasive methods offer a solution for reducing hunting without restricting cat access.
A study by Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientists found House Sparrow populations declining in North America, with larger winter flocks in urban areas. The decline is attributed to a lack of urban green space and nesting sites, similar to European studies.
A study led by Anglia Ruskin University found that farmers in the Brazilian Amazon can develop strong connections with nature, regardless of their knowledge of local bird species. The research involved 227 farmers and showed a complex relationship between ecological knowledge and nature connection.
A new study reveals that despite living in the same Mojave Desert location, mammal and bird communities experience different exposures to climate warming. Small mammals have remained relatively stable, while bird occupancy and species richness have declined dramatically due to their limited ability to mitigate rising temperatures.
Researchers found that deactivating the autism-linked FoxP1 gene in young songbirds prevents them from forming memories of their fathers' songs. This finding may shed light on speech development in humans and potentially lead to new treatments for children with autism.
Researchers found no evidence to support the claim that rare birds draw more birders, leading to additional discoveries. The study examined eBird data and mega-rarity sightings over 10 years, concluding little support for the Patagonia Picnic Table Effect.
The study found strong appreciation of natural features in Adelaide's northern metropolitan coastal wetlands, rating them highly for personal wellbeing. Residents developed an attachment to the coastline through activities, valuing these places as they became familiar with them.
A study by Durham University and RSPB investigated how human activities shape bird species' geographical distributions. The research found that 42% of breeding bird species would be more widely distributed if humans didn't impact the landscape, while 28% are rarer today than in a human-free world.
Female Bengalese finches exhibit a lifelong preference for their father's song compared to other birds. In contrast, male finches lose this preference as they mature, suggesting sex-specific differences in vocal learning and preference.
A study by University of Groningen researchers found that older female Seychelles warblers benefit from having helpers when raising their young. The data show that social behaviour increases reproductive success for older females, compensating for age-related declines in parental care.
Research from the University of East Anglia and the University of Groningen found that elderly parents' help in raising their young improves offspring survival rates. The study on Seychelles warblers highlights the benefits of cooperative breeding in social species.
Researchers use an ultrafast camera to observe the movement of laser light in a chaotic chamber, capturing the entirety of its path for the first time. This breakthrough could breathe new life into the study of optical chaos, with applications in physics, communications, and cryptography.
Researchers at Colorado State University and the University of Cincinnati have discovered a new mode of snake locomotion, called lasso locomotion, which enables brown tree snakes to ascend larger smooth cylinders. This discovery may help protect endangered birds from the snakes' impact.
A new study from Cornell University examines public attitudes towards non-native birds and whether people are willing to manage them to protect native cavity-nesting birds. Researchers found that citizen-science project participants were more likely to have negative views of non-native species and undertake management practices.
A new study found that DNP treatment in zebra finches reduced their lifespan by 20% over four years. The birds showed no short-term adverse effects but suffered from accelerated aging, highlighting the need for more research on DNP's long-term safety.
A recent study by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) has found that living near areas with high biological diversity increases life satisfaction among Europeans. The research, which analyzed data from over 26,000 adults across 26 European countries, discovered that experiencing numerous different bird specie...
A study of extinct bird species reveals that flightlessness developed in many cases due to human impact, with 29% of extinct species lacking the ability to fly. The researchers found that if humans had not caused some extinctions, there would be over 150 independently developed flightless bird groups.
A study led by UCL researchers found that flightlessness evolved in birds at least four times as often as expected. With 166 extinct species lacking flying ability, the findings show how human-driven extinctions have biased our understanding of evolution, altering most ecosystems worldwide.
Two genes involved in plumage coloration have evolved through distinct processes: ASIP, which produces melanin, and BCO2, which produces carotenoid pigments. The researchers found evidence of introgression, where genes from one species were transferred to another, contributing to the warblers' diverse colors.
Researchers identified six chronotypes: highly active, daytime sleepy, daytime active, moderately active, morning, and evening. A large-scale study tested 2,000 participants, showing that 95% identified with one of the types.
Researchers found that zebra finches can distinguish between 16-56 different birds based on their unique sounds, a feat previously thought possible only for humans. The birds' ability to recognize each other's vocalizations suggests sophisticated social communication and complex mapping skills.
The SPI-Birds initiative combines breeding population data of 1.5 million individually recognisable birds to answer ecology and evolution questions. The project aims to inspire other research communities to create their own standards, promoting FAIR data use.
The study found that the availability of invertebrates as prey is crucial for urban bird diversity, with higher prey abundance leading to more diverse communities. Bird species can be categorized into three groups based on their responses to environmental variables and prey abundance.
A team of researchers has discovered a new species of Polynesian sandpiper, the Prosobonia sauli, from fossilized bones found on Henderson Island. The bird is believed to have gone extinct soon after humans arrived on the island, which archaeologists estimate happened no earlier than the eleventh century.
Research reveals that many songbird parents displace nestlings too early, reducing the offspring's chances of survival. However, this behavior allows parents to minimize risks and increase their own likelihood of raising at least one offspring to independence.
A study analyzed 18 songbird species and found that postfledging bottlenecks increased the survival rate of at least one offspring, suggesting parental manipulation can harm fledglings. The findings imply that parent-offspring conflict may impact other animals' life transitions.
A study found that both temperate and tropical birds can tolerate high temperatures, with some species, such as doves and pigeons, exceeding heat limits, providing a buffer against climate warming. However, caution is needed as indirect effects on resources and forest structure may impact bird populations.
A new study found that noise and light pollution alter bird nesting habits and success in North America. Birds responding to increased light may track climate change better than those in darker habitats. Noise pollution affects birds differently, with forested environments being more sensitive to noise.
Feather color changes in birds are influenced by molt, which is necessary for flight and attracts mates. Birds that migrate farther distances replace more feathers during their journeys.
Researchers found a relationship between zebra finch gut microbiome characteristics and cognitive performance, identifying potentially critical bacteria affecting learning and memory. The study provides evidence for the 'microbiota-gut-brain axis' in songbirds, raising questions about the generality of this system across species.
A new study by Duke University researchers reveals that dull-colored birds like Bengalese finches categorize colors in a unique way, focusing on brightness rather than hue. This difference is attributed to their evolutionary environment and the signals they've adapted to detect.
Researchers have identified volatile organic compounds used for olfactory navigation by homing pigeons, generating regional olfactory maps that can be used as a compass to return home from unfamiliar sites. The study provides evidence for the existence of suitable regional chemical gradients in the air.
Researchers found genes involved in sensory perception showed accelerated evolution, including those for light perception, dim-light vision, and retina development. The study also identified 32 genes related to DNA packaging and chromosome condensation, which may enable owls to channel light more efficiently.
A recent study shows that rare terrestrial mammals and birds are more threatened by human activities than common species, with many facing extinction within 40 years due to climate change. Conservation efforts must account for the ecological rarity of these species to ensure their survival.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin found that male and female Sulawesi Babblers have evolved to attain different sizes on small islands, reducing competition by feeding on scarce resources. This discovery provides new insights into the importance of sexual dimorphism in island ecosystems.
A study of fossil records reveals that human arrival in the Bahamas caused devastating effects on birds, with some species losing their habitats and going extinct. The researchers found that many bird species, such as parrots and hawks, were still present in the islands until around 1,000 years ago.
Birds breeding earlier due to climate change face increased risk of mortality, as chicks hatch into unpredictable weather conditions. This study examines the impact on Tree Swallows, finding that advancing breeding dates result in reduced availability of food resources, exacerbating the effects of climate change.
A fossil analysis reveals that 69% of Bahamian land bird species have changed their distributions in response to human activities and climate shifts. The study found that bird populations are at risk due to factors such as increasing hurricane severity, rising sea levels, and habitat loss.
Research reveals that a group of parasitic finch species in Africa have evolved to mimic their host's chicks with astonishing accuracy. The study found that nestlings of these 'brood-parasitic' finches mimic the appearance, sounds and movements of their grassfinch host's chicks.
Researchers use innovative microscopy method to analyze bird brain structure, finding similarities with mammalian neocortex. The study reveals horizontal and vertical layers, refuting long-held assumptions about avian brain organization.
A research team has cleared up 150 years of false assumptions about bird brains. The study found that avian brains are organized similarly to mammalian brains, with fibers arranged horizontally and vertically in columns.
Two studies found that birds' pallium exhibits a layered architecture similar to mammals', potentially enabling complex cognitive abilities like consciousness. This structure may have been present in the last common ancestor of birds and mammals 320 million years ago, or evolved independently through convergent evolution.
A new study shows that protected areas are effective in conserving rare and threatened bird species, particularly those with small ranges or specialized forest habitats. The research used citizen science data from eBird to analyze over 2.6 million bird observations from 7,000 observers across eight tropical biodiversity hotspots.