Articles tagged with Birds
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An international team of scientists analyzed over 10,000 climate change studies and found that birds and other animals cannot adapt quickly enough to keep pace with climate change. This mismatch between the timing of biological events and the availability of food resources poses a significant threat to species survival.
Researchers successfully extracted and sequenced DNA from a 2,500-year-old Creighton's caracara femur, yielding 98.7% of the bird's mitochondrial genome. The findings reveal that the species is closely related to two remaining caracara species alive today.
Martin Nyffeler's study calculates the significant ecological role of insectivorous birds in consuming herbivorous insects and other arthropods. The research reveals that forest birds are major consumers of arthropod biomass, with an estimated 400-500 million tons of prey consumed annually.
Researchers at Columbia University identified a neural circuit in the auditory cortex where cells' responses became specialized for learned songs. This flexibility helps birds adapt to new songs and offers clues about humans' ability to learn languages.
The new bird, Heracles inexpectatus, is twice the size of the critically endangered kakapo and dwarfs its modern cousins. Fossil records show that it weighed around 7 kg and had a massive beak capable of cracking most food sources.
Recent calculations by University of Groningen researchers suggest that bird species in New Zealand will need around 50 million years to regain their lost diversity. However, the fate of endangered species like the kakapo and kiwi could add millions more years to this timeline.
Researchers estimate that it would take approximately 50 million years to recover the number of bird species lost since humans first colonized New Zealand. The conservation initiatives currently underway in New Zealand may prevent millions of years of evolution from further loss.
Researchers at Michigan State University studied four different hotspot analysis methods for Great Lakes waterbirds, finding that no single method produced consistent results. A combination of data-driven approaches may be the best way to inform conservation management decisions.
A new study reveals that American robins have a preference for using one eye over the other when looking at decoy eggs, with those who exhibit this bias being more successful at ejecting foreign eggs. This specialized ability is thought to be an adaptation to avoid brood parasites.
Research suggests that avian malaria may be behind London's dramatic decline in house sparrow populations, with nearly all birds carrying the parasite. Infection intensity varied significantly among colonies, with higher rates linked to younger birds and declining populations.
Researchers at the University of Warwick used bird flocks as a model to demonstrate how individuals can gain greater advantages by working in groups. The algorithm, similar to tree searches, predicts collective motion and suggests that this principle may be fundamental to social co-operation and intelligence.
Researchers found that small-scale farming is destroying tropical forest wilderness in northeastern Peru, posing significant threats to biodiversity. The study highlights the need for careful management of remote areas and potential opportunities to link conservation with rural development efforts.
A recent study by University of Alberta scientists found that both humans and black-capped chickadees can detect high-arousal vocalizations from other species. This ability suggests an innate capacity for understanding emotional states through sound, shared among vocal learners like humans and songbirds.
Researchers have discovered a bird foot from 99 million years ago preserved in amber that had a hyper-elongated third toe, measuring 9.8 millimeters, which is 41 percent longer than its second toe and 20 percent longer than its lower leg bone. The bird, named Elektorornis chenguangi, likely used its toes to hook food out of tree trunks.
Analysis finds whole US ecosystems shifting dramatically north over nearly 50 years, with significant implications for land management. The study uses bird distribution data to quantify ecosystem shifts and identifies three distinct ecosystem boundaries.
The investigation highlights a previously unidentified risk of drench application for imidacloprid. The authors recommend minimizing exposure to animals consuming fallen seeds and encouraging integrated pest management instead.
A team of researchers, led by a former war refugee, used ecological niche modeling to predict the future geographic distribution of the endangered White-breasted Guineafowl in response to climate change. The study found that the bird's range is more stable than expected, but coastal areas are threatened by sea-level rise and erosion.
Researchers from the University of Bristol have discovered that melanosomes in blue feathers are highly distinct and can reconstruct prehistoric feather colors. They found blue structural color in fossils, previously unknown, by analyzing pigments and feather structures.
A study of 11 bird species and 3 Kalahari Desert species found chronic heat exposure may cause declining breeding success and smaller offspring. Predicted declines in biodiversity threaten the persistence of Southern Pied Babblers, while other species face severe mass loss due to sustained hot weather.
Researchers found that great crested grebes change their egg-laying schedule to coincide with neighboring birds' breeding cycles, utilizing protection services from species like black-headed gulls and black terns. This adaptation allows them to safeguard their nests from predators such as hooded crows.
Researchers found that birds are more likely to thrive in environments with similar native habitats and climates, as well as in areas where other alien species are already established. This study analyzed 4,346 global invasion events spanning 708 species to understand the factors enabling bird success in new habitats.
Researchers compared traditional bird survey methods to modern sound recording devices, finding that machines can accurately measure population densities and map species territories. The study provides a systematic overview of available recording devices and user guides for scientists to sample animal populations acoustically.
Researchers found that the nerve cell activity in one bird's brain synchronizes with its partner when they start singing together. The brains of both birds essentially function as one, leading to perfect duet coordination.
Research found that forest interior birds like the Ovenbird decline in numbers near gas development, while early successional species like the Indigo Bunting increase in population. Conversely, human-adapted birds like the Brown-headed Cowbird are attracted to areas disturbed by fracking.
Research from the University of California, Davis suggests that working with landowners to conserve or restore forests on working landscapes can help protect wildlife. Focusing on reforesting private lands in regions that are wetter and already forested yields the greatest gains for bird communities.
A study found that elephants can distinguish between quantities of food using their sense of smell, improving performance with quantity differences and degrading with ratio increases. This discovery may aid conservation efforts in regions where elephant habitats overlap with human settlements.
A Duke University study shows that birds mentally sort hues on the blue-green side of the spectrum into two categories, but the line between them is fuzzier. Birds are better at distinguishing subtle differences within each color category than in recognizing distinct boundaries.
A study by University of Southampton researchers forecasts a worldwide move towards smaller, fast-lived, and highly-fertile animals that can thrive in various habitats. These 'winners' include rodents and songbirds, while slower-lived species like tawny eagles and black rhinoceros are likely to face extinction.
Researchers found that ghost forests supported a different group of bird species than the forests they replaced. Some bird species, like the northern bobwhite quail and woodpeckers, fared well with the changes in vegetation.
A recent study by Imperial College London found that birds living near the edge of their range are more sensitive to deforestation than those closer to their core habitat. The research analyzed 378 bird species across 211 sites in Brazil's Atlantic Forest, revealing dramatic differences in sensitivity to habitat loss.
Researchers found that paired jackdaws use less energy in flight, but the existence of pairs inhibits the way information passes between birds, reducing the flock's ability to react to disturbances. This challenges current models of collective behavior in nature.
Researchers studying white-throated sparrows found that their bodies undergo significant changes during migration, including altered immune function and tissue-repair mechanisms. These changes allow the birds to perform well despite limited sleep, raising potential implications for human health.
A new University of Connecticut study found that human activity influences the gut microbiota and body mass of Darwin's finches in the Galapagos. Researchers studied over 100 female finches and discovered that those living near humans had different gut bacteria communities, leading to changes in their physical characteristics.
A UA team shows that evolution is driven by dependency on other species within ecological communities, testing a long-held idea of the UA's late, great George Gaylord Simpson. This research confirms the prediction and reveals mechanisms for understanding how species gain and lose reliance on others in their communities.
Two new bird species, Wakatobi white-eye and Wangi-wangi white-eye, discovered in Indonesia's Sulawesi archipelago. The discoveries shed light on the complexities of species separation and highlight the need for conservation efforts to safeguard these unique habitats.
A Harvard University study explores the genetics behind the evolution of flightless birds, finding that different species turn to similar regulatory pathways when evolving flight loss. The team discovered a shared suite of morphological changes that led to a similar body plan across all flightless bird species.
Researchers found that public interest in US bird species increases with body size and abundance, while endangered species attract high local interest. Certain well-known species are also popular nationwide, despite their limited range.
Google searches have identified popular North American bird species, with large birds and those visiting feeders drawing more attention. The study found that owls were the subject of public curiosity, while conservationists can use this information to focus efforts on lesser-known species.
Researchers found that the syrinx's position at the end of the airway enhances vocal efficiency, allowing birds to communicate more effectively. This unique feature enables birds to amplify their sounds using their long necks as resonators, giving them an advantage in attracting mates and warning off predators.
Researchers at University of Southampton used volunteer birdwatching data to study how temperatures affect habitat management for British birds. They found that a mix of forests, fields, and meadows is crucial for jays to thrive, especially in higher temperatures.
Researchers found that introduced birds on Oahu select specific non-native plants, dispersing them across the island, and even contribute to their stability. However, these novel communities are less diverse than native ecosystems, with only four bird species responsible for plant movement.
Researchers found that introduced bird species on Oahu are selecting certain non-native plants to interact with, similar to native-dominated ecosystems globally. This suggests that these novel communities can be as stable as native ones, despite being composed of invasive species. However, the study highlights the importance of caution...
Research on O'ahu reveals native plants rely heavily on invasive bird species for seed dispersal, forming dynamic networks similar to native communities. However, these birds also spread non-native plant seeds more frequently.
Research found that screw-shaped bird sperm have high average swimming speed, but also higher rates of abnormal or damaged sperm. The study suggests a trade-off between swimming speed and robustness, with the more screw-shaped sperm being faster but more fragile.
Researchers analyzed 11 songbird species genomes and found that junk DNA facilitated the separation of sex chromosomes. Only dosage-sensitive genes survived on the W chromosome due to recombination suppression, leading to long-term genetic erosion and functional gene retention.
A team of scientists discovered a new Cretaceous fossil with an egg preserved inside its body, revealing unusual reproductive system abnormalities. The fossil, representing a new species Avimaia schweitzerae, shows an eggshell consisting of two layers instead of one, indicating the egg was retained too long inside the abdomen.
A new study reveals that blackpoll warblers breed in western North America may migrate up to 12,400 miles roundtrip each year, crossing the entire continent before making a nonstop trans-ocean flight. The research provides detailed data on the species' migration routes and stopover locations.
Researchers found that when fewer mates were available for brown-headed nuthatches, these birds opted to stay home and help their parents or other adults raise their offspring. In areas with skewed sex ratios, more birds became helpers, including both males and females.
Researchers found that homeowners' desert plantings create habitat for desert specialist birds, such as verdin and cactus wren. Despite overall declines in bird diversity, these plants retained the richness of bird species in neighborhoods with higher per-capita incomes.
A University of Birmingham study found that children who received cultural information about magpies valued the birds' cultural significance and believed it should be protected. In contrast, those given only scientific information showed less regard for cultural heritage and its connection to conservation.
Researchers from UC Davis found that the majority of microbes growing in sugar water from hummingbird feeders are unlikely to cause disease in hummingbirds. Regular cleaning of feeders is encouraged to minimize potential risks.
Feather lice on rock pigeons evolved divergent camouflage in response to preening, a key driver of adaptive radiation. Over four years and 60 generations, the lice developed heritable color differences spanning the full range of the genus.
Researchers found that cuckoos, known as greater anis, act collectively but become social parasites after their nests are destroyed. They switch to a strategy of spreading eggs around other nests, achieving similar reproductive success to cooperative breeding.
A new study reveals that secondary forests adjacent to extensive primary forests can host diverse bird communities and boost populations of forest specialist birds. The research, published in Biotropica, challenges previous assertions about the conservation potential of young secondary forests.
Jacob Job will track migratory songbirds across six ecosystems, interviewing people who share the land with birds to explore conservation efforts. The project aims to reintroduce people to nature while highlighting human activities causing climate change.
Researchers discovered that EDA/EDAR signaling drives the wave of patterning, while FGF20 induces cell aggregation and compresses the epidermis to intensify FGF20 expression. This process shapes the precise hexagonal array of feathers in birds.
Scientists have discovered how bird feathers form in a wave-like motion, creating a regular pattern in the skin. This discovery could help design strategies to reduce feather density in farmed birds, improving their heat tolerance in tropical climates.
A new study led by UCL and NHM found that bird skull shape is more influenced by shared ancestry and behavior than diet. Researchers tested 352 bird species, representing 159 out of 195 existing families, and discovered that birds who eat nectar or seeds exhibit the highest rate of cranial evolution.
A study found that white-tailed deer feeding habits shape acoustic properties of their forest habitat, influencing songbird vocalizations. Deer browsing reduces understory vegetation density, leading to improved sound fidelity and clearer information transmission.
A study reveals that tropical hotspots have higher rates of speciation over the last 25 million years, with some regions experiencing up to 36% higher bird speciation compared to non-hotspot areas. In contrast, temperate regions are mainly populated by immigrant species that originated elsewhere.