Research on birds and their behavior. Covers birdwatching and wellbeing, birds as pest control, birdsong, and migration.
A new study reveals that American coot chicks' bright orange and red feathers are a result of maternal effect, with mothers putting more carotenoid pigments in later eggs. This trait helps parents choose the most colorful chick, which receives preferential feeding and has a higher chance of survival.
A new study by University of Alberta biologists found that birds of the same species do not use the same habitats in different parts of the Canadian boreal forest. This phenomenon, known as differential habitat selection, has significant implications for conservation planning and management strategies.
A recent study found that biodiversity in the Camargue has substantially changed, with declines in grasshoppers, crickets, and amphibians detected. The research also revealed increases in vascular plants and some bird species, but highlights the failure of current protection measures to safeguard certain taxa.
Researchers have discovered a novel retinal structure in flycatchers that contains megamitochondria and small oil droplets, potentially enhancing their ability to detect and track insect prey. This unique structure is unevenly distributed across the retina and may provide an additional visual channel for these small predatory songbirds.
The researchers found that the modular structure of feathers enables birds to adapt to different environments. They also discovered the underlying molecular signals guiding feather development, including Bmp and Ski pathways.
Researchers discover avian predentary was covered by keratinous beak, mobile and proprioceptive, representing a unique feeding adaptation. The finding sheds light on the evolution of bird skull structure.
Scientists uncover genetic differences in gene expression that underlie species-specific songs, revealing a key role for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in song learning. The study sheds new light on the evolution of animal behaviors.
Researchers found that gene activity in brain regions called song nuclei is associated with species-specific patterns of singing in songbirds. The study identified a signaling molecule called BDNF as a mediator of changes in trans-regulated genes, which disrupted the structures of learned songs in adult zebra finches.
Researchers have discovered a multilevel society in vulturine guineafowl, a small-brained bird species. The study found that the birds form stable groups with hundreds of individuals and associate preferentially with specific other groups, similar to primates.
Researchers found multilevel societies in a population of over 400 adult birds, with stable membership and associations between groups based on preference. This discovery raises questions about the evolution of complex societies and provides clues about the mechanisms underlying social behavior.
Researchers at Duke University have trained an AI tool to identify up to 200 species of birds from just a photo. The system, which uses deep learning, also shows its thinking by highlighting key patterns in the image.
Researchers at Michigan State University have found that scents emitted by songbirds are produced by certain bacteria in preen glands, which identify a bird to other birds. Altering these bacteria can disrupt the bird's ability to communicate and find a mate, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balanced microbiome.
Researchers found that birds in constant traffic noise had lower levels of corticosterone in their blood compared to quiet environments. This suppression may protect against negative effects of chronic stress on the immune system. Chicks from noisy parents were also smaller but caught up after leaving the nest.
A global assessment of eBird data found strong geographic and seasonal patterns in bird occurrence information. Survey completeness was highest in North America, Europe, and southern India during spring migration, highlighting the potential of citizen science initiatives to address biodiversity knowledge gaps.
A University of Montana undergraduate student's research published in Ecological Applications found that a double-observer method significantly reduces false-positive errors in wildlife surveys. The study also highlighted the importance of proper training and species-specific characteristics in minimizing misidentifications.
A study published in PNAS reveals that corticobasal ganglia projecting neurons play a crucial role in song learning during juvenile development. In contrast, adult birds with disrupted projection neurons maintain their pre-learned song structure and exhibit normal vocal fluctuations.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and a Brazilian institute recorded the loudest bird calls ever documented by dove-sized male white bellbirds. The calls have sound pressure levels about three times that of screaming pihas, another Amazon species.
Researchers have recorded the loudest bird calls yet documented, reaching sound pressure levels three times that of screaming pihas. The white bellbird's mating songs are so loud they pose a risk to female hearing, sparking questions about the evolutionary advantages behind this extraordinary trait.
Scientists with the Smithsonian have documented a new species of bird, the Spectacled Flowerpecker, which is distinct from other flowerpeckers. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity in Borneo's forests and underscores the importance of conserving these ecosystems.
Researchers from Princeton University found that bird species adapted to seasonal climates can tolerate deforestation better than those native to tropical environments. The study suggests a combination of protection and land management may be more effective in preserving biodiversity.
A study by the University of Edinburgh found that warmer springs cause blue tits to begin breeding earlier, with chicks hatching after peak caterpillar numbers. This suggests that night-time temperatures and tree leafing cues influence bird reproductive timing.
Researchers analyzed continental-scale data to investigate the impact of human-caused noise pollution on birds, finding that breeding in modified habitats increases ANP levels by twice as much as forested habitats. The study suggests vocal traits like song complexity could be useful for understanding ANP effects across spatial scales.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center has confirmed brain regions that encode behavioral-goal memories in songbirds. The researchers used optogenetics to implant these memories in zebra finches without tutoring, enabling them to learn syllables of their song. This discovery opens new avenues for research into identifying brain circ...
Scientists have observed a rare instance of interspecific feeding among songbirds, where an adult male Eastern bluebird is caring for the young of another species, the tree swallow. The unusual behavior is thought to be caused by the bluebird's confusion and 'place-based decision' to care for the wrong chicks.
Researchers found that jackdaws can identify individual calls and assess group size when deciding to join a mob. While they use a form of counting, there may be cognitive limitations to their ability.
Researchers have discovered that purple martins are roosting in small forest patches as they migrate from North America to Brazil. The birds seem to be intentionally seeking out these isolated habitats, possibly due to fewer predators than in larger forest areas.
A new study from UC Berkeley finds that hotter temperatures in the desert are causing birds to need more water to cool off, exacerbating a decline in species populations. Larger birds and those with insect or animal diets are most threatened by this heat stress.
A study found that climate-driven extinctions in Mojave Desert birds may be linked to increased water requirements, particularly for insectivorous and carnivorous species. Climate forecasts predict a 50-78% increase in water needs for Mojave birds, making species declines more likely.
Scientists have created a novel approach to analyze neuronal response to different call meanings in songbirds. The analysis shows that initial responses contain information about the call's meaning, with additional information accumulating up to 600 milliseconds. Individual neurons play a significant role in categorizing call meanings.
Researchers at University of Missouri create 3D model showing how ligaments and joints in T. rex skull work, revealing it was stiffer than previously thought. This discovery could advance human and animal medicine by providing better models of joint interactions.
Researchers at the University of Exeter found that jackdaws can learn to identify dangerous people by hearing a warning call, and this knowledge helps them avoid humans who pose a threat. The birds that heard the warning call returned to their nests more quickly when seeing the human again, indicating they had learned to recognize danger.
Researchers analyzed six different bird species and found no uric acid in their excretions. Instead, they identified ammonium urate, struvite, and two unknown compounds, suggesting that bacteria break down uric acid before excretion.
Since 1970, North America has experienced a significant decline in bird populations, with nearly one in four species losing abundance. The study attributes this loss primarily to 12 bird families, including songbirds, and highlights the need for conservation efforts to prevent further declines.
Researchers at UCSF found that tailoring instruction to individual birds' genetic predispositions can improve their learning abilities. In contrast, standardized tutoring programs failed to engage birds from families with different song tempo preferences.
Researchers found that high temperatures reduce snort-call display behavior in grassland birds, affecting mating success. The study suggests up to 10% decrease in display activity by 2100 due to global warming.
Eastern gray squirrels in Ohio parks exhibit decreased vigilance when hearing bird species' casual chatter after a simulated hawk call, suggesting they can tap into cues of safety. The findings support the idea that non-alarm sounds like bird chatter could be as important as danger signals for these animals.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and Cornell Lab of Ornithology have developed a machine learning system called MistNet to analyze large-scale bird migration data. The tool allows for automation of data processing, enabling scientists to extract valuable information on bird migrations over the continental US.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that crows can deliberately control their calls, suggesting a high level of cognitive sophistication. The research used trained carrion crows to learn and respond to specific cues, revealing the birds' ability to exert control over their vocalizations.
Researchers relocated sage-grouse from Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada to Washington state to boost populations. However, it took about a year for the birds to settle in and reproduce effectively. The study shows that relocation can be a viable tool in conserving threatened species like sage-grouse.
A global study finds that birds with smaller brains thrive in variable environments by using alternative ecological strategies, such as large bodies and high reproductive rates. In contrast, big-brained birds are less adaptable and invest more time in raising fewer offspring.
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.