Research on birds and their behavior. Covers birdwatching and wellbeing, birds as pest control, birdsong, and migration.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A study evaluating the impact of the 100-year Northwest Forest Plan found that old-growth forests are declining due to increased fires, while regenerating habitats are increasing in some regions. Despite these findings, the authors recommend continued conservation efforts for old-growth habitats.
Researchers discovered that adult females guide juvenile zebra finch song development through wing gestures and 'fluff ups', encouraging the baby birds to mimic their favorite versions. The study, published in Current Biology, reveals socially-guided vocal learning in zebra finches, similar to human babies.
Researchers have developed a new method to produce structural colors that don't change with the angle of viewing. The technique involves coating spherical silica particles with iron oxide nanoparticles, resulting in non-iridescent colors.
A new study found that conservation programs in Illinois have helped some rare birds increase their populations to historic levels. The Bell's vireo, one of four species studied, has bounced back from historic declines and is now more than double its last estimated abundance. In contrast, other bird species with wider geographic ranges...
A study of a long-protected northeastern virgin forest plot found that small forest fragments may not provide conservation benefits. Nearly half the species present at initial protection are now gone, and yearly species composition is highly dynamic. Effective management is needed to prevent degradation of habitat.
A study published in Biological Conservation found that forest cover below 40% can lead to a decline in original bird communities and the replacement of specialized species with generalists. The research suggests that highly specialized birds begin to decline significantly at forest cover levels as low as 70%.
A massive genetic study reveals that birds and their feather mites have a dynamic coevolutionary relationship, with 7.4% of hosts and 4.8% of mites exhibiting unexpected associations. The study's findings suggest that ecological factors play a crucial role in regulating these dynamics.
Scientists at UC San Diego discovered that barbules on bird feathers are spaced consistently across species, leading to potential breakthroughs in adhesives and aerospace materials. The study's findings also shed light on the growth patterns of bird bones, particularly the humerus.
Male hummingbirds have evolved stiff, hard-tipped bills for fighting, prioritizing fencing over efficient feeding. These unique bills compromise nectar sipping ability.
Young willow tits must find a flock to survive harsh winters, while those that establish high ranks have better odds of attaining long-term survival. Flocking also allows birds to learn from each other and detect predators more effectively.
A recent study has found that European mountain bird populations have declined by as much as 10% in the 2000s, mainly due to climate change and changes in land use. The decline is particularly worrying for species that only inhabit mountain regions and are unable to live in other environments.
A new study from Lund University finds that heatwaves can lead to smaller offspring and lower survival chances for animals. Researchers observed that birds with easier access to cooling mechanisms have larger and more viable offspring.
A 30-year-old hydroelectric project in Thailand has caused the local bird population to collapse. The reservoir has inundated a unique habitat rich in biodiversity, leading to deforestation and human-caused fire, resulting in isolated habitat patches dominated by disturbance-tolerant species.
A parrot genome analysis found high rates of conserved mutations in genes supporting an abnormally long lifespan and cognitive abilities. The study identified several dozen parrot-specific genes important for traits like sound imitation and complex social behaviors.
A study reveals that European waterbird species shift their wintering areas northeastwards with warmer winters and southwestwards with colder spells. Species preferring deep waters show the fastest long-term changes, while farmland birds like geese exhibit weak responses.
Bridgett vonHoldt and Tom Smith used Mendelian genetics to identify the gene IGF-1 associated with bill size in black-bellied seedcrackers. The study found a 3:1 pattern of inheritance, where large beaks were dominant over small beaks.
Researchers tracked willow warblers' migration routes, finding they fly up to 13,000 km from eastern Siberia to Kenya and Tanzania. The study also identified alternative navigation mechanisms, including solar and magnetic compasses.
Researchers used radar data to observe wildlife behavior during the eclipse, finding a decrease in daytime activity but no increase in nighttime activity. Insect and bird behavior was stifled by the sunset-like sky produced by the eclipse, with some sites experiencing a sudden burst of activity during totality.
Regularly used forest trails have fewer bird species and lower numbers of birds compared to less-used areas, even with decades of human activity. This suggests that forest birds do not habituate to trail use, highlighting the need for protected areas and adherence to stay-on-trail rules.
A Finnish study reveals that protected areas support northern bird species while hindering southern species' movement northwards due to habitat loss and climate change.