Articles tagged with Birds
Researchers found that a single white-browed coucal parent can successfully raise its brood, unlike black coucals which form pairs and share parental duties. The study suggests that females only form pairs due to lack of opportunities to find additional male partners.
Researchers tracked Magellanic penguin data for 28 years to detect signs of natural selection acting on specific traits. Selection was observed in seven out of the 28 years, with larger males having an edge in lean years, while females showed selection on foot size, bill depth, and body size.
A recent study found that mixed-severity fires, also known as 'Goldilocks fires,' can increase biodiversity of birds in California forests over time. The research suggests that forest managers should prioritize managing forests to promote a mixture of intensities, resulting in a mosaic of patches with different burn severities.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recognized outstanding science communicators with the 2016 Communication Awards. Deborah Cramer won for her book 'The Narrow Edge,' while NPR's Christopher Joyce and Alison Richards took home the award for their film/TV series 'Close Listening: Decoding Nature Through Sound.'
Researchers reconstructed songbird evolutionary history using DNA sequences and fossil records, revealing diversification in Australia about 33 million years ago. Songbirds first dispersed out of Australia through early Indonesian islands into Asia and subsequently the globe around 23 million years ago.
New research reveals that blue-winged and golden-winged warblers are almost identical genetically, with only six regions showing strong differences. The study suggests that conservation efforts should focus on preserving habitat for both species rather than worrying about hybridization.
The American Ornithologists' Union has recognized 33 individuals with Elective Membership for their outstanding contributions to ornithology. The newly elected members represent the global ornithology community and have been selected by their peers for their significant achievements in advancing bird conservation.
The American Ornithologists' Union has welcomed 21 new Fellows, selected by their peers for their significant contributions to the field of ornithology. The newly elected Fellows represent the most eminent members of the global ornithology community and are residents or citizens of the Western Hemisphere.
The American Ornithologists' Union recognizes five individuals for their outstanding contributions to science and service. Dr. Patricia Parker, Dr. Michael Sorenson, Dr. John Fitzpatrick, Dr. Mary Caswell Stoddard, and Dr. James Herkert receive awards for their work in ecology, conservation, behavior, systematics, and more.
Dr. Patricia Parker has received the William Brewster Memorial Award for her groundbreaking research on social behavior, mating systems, and conservation of bird species in the Galápagos Islands.
Barbados bullfinches and Carib grackles can successfully pull strings to access food, but this skill is unrelated to performance on other cognitive tasks. The study also found that some birds improve their string-pulling ability with practice.
A study by Hokkaido University researchers found that juvenile songbirds exhibit familial differences in their earliest vocal babblings, suggesting a possible genetic basis for these variations. The findings reveal that the variations are more pronounced among different families and persist even when deafened.
Scientists have discovered a new species of colorful songbird in the Galápagos Islands, but it's extinct. The San Cristóbal Island Vermilion Flycatcher was elevated to full species status due to genetic differences, with research suggesting two invasive threats likely contributed to its extinction.
Researchers have successfully reared the larvae of a parasitic fly on chicken blood, paving the way for a new method to control its population. This breakthrough could be key to saving critically endangered birds like the mangrove finch in the Galapagos Islands.
Researchers have identified a genetic basis for songbirds' migratory routes, linking them to a small cluster of genes governing behavior. The study found that differences in migration patterns help maintain the diversity of songbirds.
A new study found that baby migratory songbirds face different risks in the nest and after leaving, with some species experiencing higher mortality rates during post-fledging stages. Researchers used radio transmitters to track young birds and documented survival rates, shedding light on factors affecting their survival.
A study confirms a rare case of mutualism between humans and a wild animal, the Yao tribe's use of a distinct call to attract a bird species as a honeyguide resulting in 75% successful discovery of beehives. Researchers found that the 'brrr-hm' call increased the probability of being guided by a honeyguide from 33% to 66%.
In a study of Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens, researchers found that females are more likely to initiate divorce due to dissatisfaction with their territory. Divorce allows females to gain better territories, which are crucial for reproductive success in this species.
Hummingbirds process visual information uniquely to navigate through dense vegetation at high speeds. They rely on the size of objects to determine distance and use image velocity to assess altitude.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has partnered with the Land Trust Alliance to launch the Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative, aiming to improve bird conservation on private lands. The initiative provides technical support, workshops, and a Resources Directory to help land trusts enhance bird habitats.
Researchers found that blue tit males feed their partners more frequently when they are younger and less experienced, but less often when temperatures rise. This helps the females forage for food without interrupting incubation.
Researchers have uncovered a well-preserved fossil of a previously unknown bird species, Calciavis grandei, dating back to the Eocene epoch. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of large flightless birds and provides new anatomical data for resolving contentious debates among paleontologists.
A study by University of East Anglia researchers found that northern wren populations are more resilient to harsh winter weather due to local adaptation. The team discovered a correlation between regional climate and population resilience, with larger body mass observed in colder regions.
Female beetles with fighting experience spend more time feeding their offspring, helping them survive. The study found that conflict-experienced mothers laid the same number and size of eggs but had a higher survival rate among their young.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University identified brain cells associated with auditory memory in zebra finches, revealing a potential key to understanding human speech development. The study found that these cells respond selectively to the tutor's song and are essential for learning and remembering complex songs.
Researchers found that females in the Chinese Hume Warbler species prefer males who sing simple songs over those with complex songs. This preference may be driven by the need to minimize predation risk and optimize nesting behavior.
A study by Vanderbilt University neuroscientist Suzana Herculano-Houzel found that birds have more neurons packed into their small brains than mammals or primates. The avian brain's smaller and denser neurons enable complex cognitive behaviors, rivaling those of primates.
Research by McGill University scientists found that juvenile zebra finches learned adult songs better when interacting with an adult, mimicking human-like speech adjustments. The study suggests social interaction can enhance vocal learning, which may have implications for treating autism and other developmental disorders.
Researchers have identified the genes responsible for producing the red pigment in bird species, linking it to detoxification processes and suggesting a link between mate quality and genetic fitness. The discovery provides new insights into the evolution and ecology of red coloration in birds.
Scientists have identified a cytochrome P450 enzyme that allows some bird species to convert yellow pigments into red colors, enhancing color vision and possibly signaling individual quality. The discovery fills a gap in understanding the genetics of red coloration in birds, with implications for future research on evolution and ecology.
Researchers found that hornbills' beaks account for up to 20% of their non-evaporative heat loss, helping conserve water in hot desert environments. This unique adaptation may provide an advantage over panting, a method used by birds to cool off.
Scientists found that an early Arctic spring in Africa is killing red knots by disrupting their food supply. The birds' short beaks limit their access to shellfish, essential for survival.
A study published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America found that birds can differentiate between whole and broken songs using spatial and intensity cues. The research used zebra finches and budgerigars, demonstrating that stream segregation is not a uniquely human ability
The primary threat to vultures is the presence of toxins in carrion they consume, leading to declines or extinctions of most vulture species worldwide. In their absence, other scavengers proliferate, causing a cascading effect on food webs and human populations.
Researchers found that both groups show a nested pattern of distribution, with narrow-ranging lineages concentrated in the tropics and broad-ranging lineages extending into higher latitudes. Species diversification drives expansion across climatic divides, increasing the likelihood of successful crossings.
Research on Black Sparrowhawks reveals that dark birds excel in low-light conditions due to better camouflage, while light birds thrive in brighter environments. This study supports the idea that color polymorphism arises from adaptations to distinct light conditions.
Researchers found corvid birds outperformed great apes in a cognitive task, despite having smaller brains. The study suggests neuronal density and brain structure play a key role in intelligence.
NSF-funded researchers develop computational sustainability to tackle ecological and economic problems. A new field combines computer science with environmental sciences to address challenges such as wildlife management and poverty-reduction.
Scientists have discovered a predictable trend in the evolution of bird shape among island birds, with flying birds adapting smaller flight muscles and longer legs. This adaptation is driven by relief from predators, rather than genetic divergence.
Broadbills make loud sounds with their wings to mark territory and attract females. Researchers found that it's not the outermost wing feathers but those just inside them that produce the klaxon-like sound.
A study by Durham University found that climate change is having a similar impact on common bird populations worldwide. Species favored by changing climates outperformed those disadvantaged by warming trends over a 30-year period from 1980 to 2010.
A team of international scientists has created the first 3D atlas of the dodo's skeletal anatomy, using two exceptional skeletons that have remained unstudied for over a century. The atlas provides accurate relative proportions and describes several previously unknown bones, opening new pathways for paleobiology and evolution research.
Researchers found that white storks rely on junk food from landfill sites for year-round sustenance, allowing them to establish resident populations. The closure of landfills may impact these birds' distribution, breeding locations, and migratory patterns.
The New Caledonian crow's beak is shorter and blunter than regular crow bills, allowing it to hold tools in its binocular vision. This specialization led to the evolution of tool use in the crow's biology.
Researchers discovered that estrogen-producing glial cells play a role in controlling inflammation in the injured zebra finch brain. The process happens within hours and could lead to new therapies for human brain injuries such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers found that Japanese great tits use specific rules to combine calls and convey compound messages, demonstrating non-human syntax. The study suggests that syntax may be a general adaptation to social complexity in communication systems.
Researchers discovered Japanese great tits have developed syntactic rules, combining calls like 'ABC' and 'D' to convey specific meanings. These birds use these rules to deter predators and attract partners, demonstrating a complex form of communication.
Researchers have pinpointed the effects of Huntington's disease on a specific brain area responsible for complex movements, such as talking or playing music. The study suggests that reintroducing normal patterns of activity in this area may be sufficient to restore normal behavior, offering potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers at Wake Forest University found that woodpecker pairs coordinate their defense behavior based on the intensity of drumming sounds from intruders. A longer drum is perceived as a tougher opponent, prompting coordination and aggression, whereas a shorter drum signals weakness.
Researchers found that female alligators near wading bird nesting colonies had higher body condition than those without active colonies. The study suggests a beneficial interaction between birds and alligators, where birds provide protection and chicks become a food source for the alligators.
A new bird species, Chongmingia zhengi, discovered in China's Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota, sheds light on the early evolution of birds. The species is basal to dominant Mesozoic avian clades and represents a new avialan lineage.
Researchers found that black widow spiders' red hourglass markings are more visible to birds than to insects, helping them avoid detection by predators while still warning off potential prey. This study highlights the complex communication strategies used by animals to adapt to their environments and evade threats.
Researchers at Cornell University found that fairy-wren pairs who sing duets are less likely to mate with other males, resulting in higher rates of their own genetic offspring. The strong duet-singing response also reduces cuckoldry in these pairs.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that adult male gorillas call more frequently than females and juveniles during feeding, especially when consuming aquatic vegetation, flowers, and seeds. This food-associated calling may help express well-being and aid group coordination and social cohesion.
Researchers used Doppler polarimetric radar data to study nocturnal migrating songbirds in Eastern North America. The study found that birds strongly compensated for wind drift near the Atlantic coast, increasing their compensation throughout the night.
A recent AAAS panel discussed the potential of citizen science and information technology to drive sustainability. Projects like eBird and Aviaching are collecting valuable data on bird occurrences and habitat representation, while UDiscoverIt accelerates the discovery of new sustainable energy materials.
Researchers discovered that male fruit flies adjust the amplitude of their courtship song based on distance from females, conserving energy and competing more effectively. This complex behavior sheds light on social interactions across the animal kingdom.
A recent study reveals the discovery of five extinct rail species in Madeira and Azores, highlighting the fragile nature of island ecosystems. The species evolved flightlessness due to habitat changes caused by human arrival, leading to their extinction.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that reed warblers employ a 'neighbourhood watch' system to detect and eject cuckoo eggs, taking into account both personal and social cues. By combining information from close surveillance and neighbourly mobbing, warblers can assess levels of risk and protect their nests.
A new species of bird has been discovered in northeastern India and adjacent parts of China by an international team of scientists. The Himalayan forest thrush Zoothera salimalii has distinct differences in plumage, structure, song, and DNA from other related species.