Research on birds and their behavior. Covers birdwatching and wellbeing, birds as pest control, birdsong, and migration.
A recent study published in Conservation Letters reveals that conservation efforts have prevented the global extinction of at least 28 bird and mammal species since 1993. The species include the Puerto Rican Amazon, Przewalski's Horse, and Iberian Lynx, among others.
Small-scale poultry farmers in Vietnam quickly sell their birds during viral outbreaks to avoid financial loss, increasing disease transmission. This practice can contaminate other birds and expose consumers to risk.
Research from the University of Montana found that tropical songbirds reduce reproduction during severe droughts, but this shift actually increases their survival rates. Long-lived species experience higher survival rates during drought years than non-drought years.
A recent UMBC study finds that female researchers have led the way in bird song research, fundamentally changing our understanding of avian biology and evolution. Women made up 56% of authors and held 68% of first-author positions on papers about female bird song.
A study of 109 bird species across eastern North America over a 15-year period found that some birds are more resilient to climate change than others. The research, published in Global Change Biology, suggests that conservation efforts should target vulnerable species and locations predicted to experience extreme weather events.
A new study by Duke University researchers suggests that songbirds perform better during the day when they warm up their voices in the early morning hours. By singing early and often, birds improve their trill rate and vocal range, ultimately nailing their songs during the day.
A new study from the University of Illinois reveals a significant decline in US bird biodiversity related to neonicotinoid use, particularly affecting grassland birds. The research found a 2.2% decline in grassland bird populations for every 100 kg increase in neonicotinoid usage per county.
Researchers found that powered flight potential evolved at least three times in theropods: once in birds and twice in dromaeosaurids. This challenges the traditional view of bird origins, presenting a more complex picture of experimentation with wing-assisted locomotion.
An international study reconstructs powered flight potential in theropod dinosaurs, finding it evolved at least three times. Many ancestors of bird relatives experimented with wing-assisted locomotion before flight evolved.
A global conservation plan for parasites is proposed to recognize the value of biological diversity. Research suggests that parasites play critical ecological roles, regulating wildlife populations, and propose identifying and conserving half of world's parasites within the next decade.
Researchers used AI to distinguish individual birds based on plumage patterns, a task humans struggle with. The technique was tested on three bird species and showed promising results, opening up new possibilities for studying animal behavior in the wild.
A team of researchers found that 73 boreal bird species experienced a contraction in their breeding periods over a 43-year period, with most species starting to breed earlier and ending earlier. The study suggests that warmer temperatures may be causing this shift, allowing birds to take advantage of earlier food availability.
Scientists discovered a new species of giant pigeon in Tonga, Tongoenas burleyi, which was hunted to extinction within a century after human arrival. The bird's size and dietary habits suggest it played a crucial role in dispersing seeds for fruit-bearing trees.
A new study from Cornell University highlights the importance of urban green space and tree canopy for supporting diverse bird populations. The research found that increasing green space by 50% results in an 11.5% increase in annual species diversity.
Bird species at mid- to high latitudes have changed their breeding season durations over the last four decades. Climate change has influenced this shift, with some species contracting their breeding periods, typically breeding earlier and having shorter seasons.
Researchers found that ferrets generalize avian smells, while hedgehogs do not, which could inform strategies to protect bird colonies by saturating the area with bird smell. The study provides insights into the hunting strategies and priorities of invasive predators.
A new study has narrowed down the region of the genome that drives the black color in warblers by studying hybrid offspring. The hybrids have a mix of coloration from the parent species, allowing researchers to identify which regions of the genome are associated with which color patterns.
Ornithologists at the University of Utah found that community science bird data shows different trends in bird populations than professional surveys, especially in developing countries. The researchers hope to encourage more conscientious recording and connection between birders and professionals to fill data gaps.
A white-throated sparrow's unique two-note-ending variant has replaced the historic three-note ending across Canada, a phenomenon unprecedented in bird species. The new song's rapid spread is attributed to overwintering grounds, where juveniles may learn and adopt new song types.
Three species of pink flamingos evolved to live in shallow lakes and breed during seasonal blooms of algae and zooplankton before the inland lakes dried up due to climate change.
A study by Oregon State University found that flappers are more effective than traditional PVC spirals in reducing bird fatalities from power lines. The research suggests flappers be used as the first choice when installing bird flight diverters, with comparable materials and production costs.
Researchers found that birds consuming dietary antioxidants before and during fall migration can reduce their endocrine stress response. This reduction in stress may be a major benefit for birds, allowing them to perform better during long-distance flights.
Researchers found that northern bobwhites are drawn to habitats based on the presence of other birds, which could aid in conservation efforts. This phenomenon, called conspecific attraction, was studied using recordings of bobwhite songs.
A new study finds that wildfires change the types of songs sung by birds living in nearby forests, leading to increased local song diversity. Researchers recorded over 1,500 male Hermit Warblers and found that song dialects tend to be isolated from each other within different forest types.
Researchers trained wild hummingbirds to discriminate between UV color combinations, revealing they can see up to five nonspectral colors. The study used a custom LED tube system and recorded over 6,000 feeder visits, showing birds can distinguish between various UV+color pairs.
Researchers identified BCO2 gene as key driver of dichromatism in mosaic canaries, where males and females have strikingly different coloration. The findings provide insights into the evolution of sexually selected traits like dichromatism.
The discovery of the ancient bird figurine from Lingjing site in China sheds light on humanity's earliest three-dimensional art. The figurine, dated to approximately 13.4-13.2 ka cal BP, features a technological and stylistic profile distinct from contemporaneous Western European and Siberian representations.
A new study found that European roads are a significant threat to wildlife, with over 194 million birds and 29 million mammals killed annually. The research ranked the most vulnerable species, including the hazel grouse and russet ground squirrel, which are classified as Least Concern but face high roadkill rates.
Fossils from the Huajiying Formation in northern China reveal that the Jehol Biota appeared around 135 million years ago and lasted for approximately 15 million years. This early biota includes feathered dinosaurs, early birds, mammals, insects, and flowering plants.
A study of 175 reports found that 32.3% of North American perching birds defend their territories against other species, with hybridizing species more likely to do so. Resource competition is a key driver of territorial behavior in these birds.
Researchers found Oriental tit birds give distinct alarm calls to snakes and chipmunks, warning nestlings of snake threat but not chipmunk danger. The study suggests a specific call signals 'be aware of a snake' rather than general predator alert.
A study by Toshitaka Suzuki found that birds can visualize a snake when hearing specific alarm calls from another species. The coal tit was observed to approach the experimental area during these calls, indicating it mentally retrieves 'snake' images.
Researchers found that providing high-quality supplementary food boosts urban great tits' breeding success, with insects playing a crucial role in their development. Urban areas support fewer insects than natural habitats, leading to reduced breeding success.
New research analyzing over 10,000 bird species reveals that wing shape adapted for long-distance flight is primarily driven by temperature variability, territory defense, and migration. This geographic pattern has significant implications for understanding biodiversity and may explain smaller geographical ranges in tropical species.
A new study reveals that Sonic hedgehog plays a crucial role in establishing flight feather identity in birds, similar to how it specifies digit identities. By using chicken embryos, researchers found that Shh is required for wing development and defines a set of genes involved in this process.
A tropical treefall created a 2.5-acre gap that attracted hundreds of hummingbird species, doubling the diversity and presence of these birds in the area. The researchers documented 16 unique individuals of one species, the snowy-bellied hummingbird, within just one year after the treefall.
Bird species that exhibit novel foraging behaviors have reduced risk of extinction, according to a study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. The researchers found that the more innovative a species is, the lower its risk of extinction, with some species able to adapt to habitat destruction by finding new food sources.
Red-winged blackbirds respond aggressively to a specific 'seet' call from yellow warblers when they detect the presence of brown-headed cowbirds. The birds also respond to other calls that signal general danger to their nests, including blue jay and cowbird chatter.
Researchers found that birds with larger brains, like crows or gulls, can thrive in cities due to their intelligence. Conversely, small-brained species like pigeons succeed through frequent breeding attempts, prioritizing future reproductive success over present survival.
Researchers found that starlings sleep five hours less per night during the summer and two hours less under full-moon nights. This study provides new insights into flexible sleep regulation in birds, highlighting the importance of natural conditions for understanding sleep patterns.
Researchers found that smaller forest fragments result in fewer species and interactions between plants and seed-dispersing birds. This leads to a loss of ecological functions, including constant forest regeneration, with larger bird species playing a crucial role in dispersing large seeds.
The discovery of Oculudentavis khaungraae, a tiny bird-like skull found in Burmese amber, reveals new insights into bird evolution. The specimen's unique anatomical features suggest a never-before-seen combination of features, including a diurnal lifestyle and surprising similarities to modern lizards.
International team parses Pacific Robin populations across South Pacific islands into several distinct species, revealing complex relationships and major conservation implications. The study highlights the importance of understanding biodiversity units for effective conservation, particularly for small, isolated island populations.
A new study of North American birds found that regional ecosystem stability over time depends on both the total number of species present in a locality and on the variation in species identities among localities. The researchers used 20 years of observational data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey to test this hypothesis.
Researchers analyzed recorded bird songs and found a relationship between sound frequency and body size, suggesting a biomechanics-based method for predicting bird sizes. The study also confirmed the correlation using museum specimens.
Researchers analyzed 98 historic specimens to find that different plumage patches evolved independently through time, with face and head patches evolving for mate recognition and back and wing patches for camouflage. This 'mosaic evolution' explains the lorikeets' dazzling color diversity while avoiding predators.
A recent study led by University of Southampton researchers reveals that threatened birds and mammals are often ecologically distinct and vital to their environments. The research highlights the importance of charismatic species, such as Emperor Penguins and Leopards, which play unique roles in maintaining ecosystem balance.
A new study found that blue tits and great tits learn to avoid toxic foods by watching others' reactions, potentially increasing their survival rate. The birds can decrease the likelihood of bad experiences by observing others' behavior.
A recent study published in Nature has shed light on the global relationships that determine bird diversity on islands, revealing that colonisation decreases with isolation and extinction decreases with area. The research also found that most island bird species represent unique evolutionary branches with no close relatives.
Researchers at UChicago study birdsong to understand brain cell properties and their role in learning, revealing surprising similarities with human stuttering. The study uses zebra finch neurons to show that changes in intrinsic cell properties are closely tied to song patterns and stuttering behavior.
New research shows that feeding bluebirds can significantly impact parasitic nest flies and improve nestling survival. The study found that supplementing birds with food reduces the parasite load and improves antibody levels, which help kill the parasites. The timing of feeding is also crucial, with early feeding benefiting young birds...
A new study reveals that the rapid evolution of Darwin's finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers was linked to their beaks and skulls. The researchers found that these birds had a stronger association between their beaks and skulls than other bird lineages, allowing for more versatile evolution but constrained along specific directions.
A new study suggests that accounting for climate change in conservation planning can effectively protect biodiversity, but may come at a higher cost. Researchers analyzed 1,460 species and found that unless climate change impacts are considered, 14% would not have a viable place to live.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that a pig virus is easily transmitted to healthy chickens and turkeys, developing diarrhea in as little as two days. The virus's rapid spread has raised concerns about its potential impact on humans, who are susceptible but may not show symptoms.
Researchers found that males with longer, more elaborate plumage produce longer-lasting sperm, which helps them compete for mates. The study, published in Biology Letters, analyzed 278 species of songbirds and suggests that intense competition drives both the evolution of plumage and sperm quality.
Researchers at Flinders University have discovered a surprising anatomical connection between the giant cassowary, its closest relative the emu, and the extinct New Zealand moa and small South American tinamou. The study reveals that the syrinx, hyoid, and larynx structures of these birds are more similar than previously thought, provi...
A global database of 10,000 bird species shows that body measurements can predict a species' role in an ecosystem. The study found that similar body shapes are often associated with similar lifestyles and dietary preferences, even among distantly related species.
A new study reveals that the unique shape of hummingbird melanosomes and air bubbles within their feathers produce shimmering rainbow colors. This discovery opens up a greater understanding of how hummingbirds develop their vibrant plumage, with findings that could also shed light on color patterns in other birds.
Researchers discovered 10 new species and subspecies of songbirds from three under-explored islands off Sulawesi, Indonesia. The findings mark the largest number of new species identified from a small geographically confined region in over a century.
Researchers found that African grey parrots voluntarily help each other achieve a goal without immediate benefit, showing innate helping behavior. The parrots' ability to understand when help is needed and transfer tokens to others demonstrates their complex social intelligence.