Research on birds and their behavior. Covers birdwatching and wellbeing, birds as pest control, birdsong, and migration.
A new study reveals ravens can plan ahead for different events, such as using tools to access rewards, with a high success rate of 86%. Ravens demonstrated self-control by choosing less appealing immediate rewards over better ones, similar to great apes.
Research by the University of Lincoln and European scientists shows that individual characteristics, such as age and social hierarchy, significantly impact how quickly birds explore new objects. Neotic style, or fear of new things, affects when they choose to investigate but not their level of exploration.
Researchers found that female zebra finches need to hear their father's song to develop the ability to distinguish between high-quality and low-quality courtship songs. The study suggests that environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping the developing brain's perception of vocal signals.
Researchers have captured footage of palm cockatoos playing the drums with almost perfect spacing between taps, mimicking human drummers. The bird's individual styles were distinct and may allow others to recognize their drumming signatures.
A study from UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals a network of neurons vital for learning vocalizations in songbirds, which may hold clues to addressing speech disorders in humans. The discovery complements ongoing research into the brain's role in vocal learning and its potential applications for treating neurodevelopmental conditions.
A new species of parrot has been identified in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, characterized by its distinctive blue covert feathers and loud, short call. The Blue-winged Amazon parrot is thought to have evolved from the White-fronted parrot around 120,000 years ago.
A study by Bielefeld University researchers found that male plover survival rates are significantly higher than females, resulting in a sex bias of only 37% females among adult plovers. This advantage may be due to males having greater body weight and growth rates at hatching.
Research analyzing over 49,000 bird eggs reveals that unique flight adaptations drive variations in egg shape. The study found a correlation between egg shape and hand-wing index, indicating flight efficiency, contradicting previous theories on life history and nesting habits.
A study reveals that birds' flight ability influences egg shape, with more asymmetric and elliptical eggs found in better fliers. The researchers propose that the stretchy egg membrane is responsible for generating diversity in egg shapes.
The São Tomé grosbeak is the world's largest canary, measuring 20 cm long and possessing a flat head and large beak. It is found only on the island of São Tomé in the West African Gulf of Guinea and is 50% larger than the runner-up species.
A Drexel University study reveals that birds of different species cooperate to access food sources by following army ant marches. Facilitation theory supports this behavior, where species help each other exploit shared resources.
A study found that birds living in prime conditions have lower evolutionary potential to cope with climate change, whereas those between extremes exhibit greater adaptability. This reduces the likelihood of survival for populations in optimal and harsh environments.
A new study by researchers at Uppsala University reveals that genetic differences between species are the key to song discrimination in juvenile songbirds. The study finds that even when exposed to songs from other species, young birds selectively learn and discriminate their own species' songs.
New research suggests that bird and bumblebee species nesting late in the year are suffering more from habitat destruction. The study found that larger birds and bumblebees are worst affected due to competition over scarce nest sites.
A team of scientists found that male and female plovers shift incubation more frequently in response to rising temperatures, increasing cooperation between the sexes. This flexibility in parental care helps birds adapt to changing climates and extreme conditions.
Researchers propose that a storm or internal navigation 'compass' malfunction led to the bird's off-course journey. The near-perfect condition of its feathers suggests it wasn't trapped in a plane's wheel well, making ship or plane transport unlikely.
A new study reveals that the main evolutionary force driving the shape of duck, goose, and other waterfowl beaks is their diet. The research, which analyzed the 3-D form of over 136 specimens of waterfowl, found a strong correlation between dietary preferences and beak shape.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have identified conscientiousness in a range of animal species, from birds to insects. This trait, characterized by working hard, paying attention to detail, and striving to do the right thing, is linked to evolutionary benefits such as improved hunting success and mating advantages.
Brown-headed cowbirds prefer larger host nests with smaller-than-average eggs to increase their offspring's chances of survival. Researchers found that female cowbirds adjust the allocation of resources in their eggs based on perceived environmental conditions, but not host species or size variations.
Researchers found that even small amounts of bird feces can significantly impact water quality by altering nutrient conditions and microbial communities. The study suggests that bird droppings may contribute to algal blooms, but further research is needed to fully understand the effects.
A study found that male great tits choose neighbors with similar personalities, while females prefer males based on attractive qualities. This behavior may influence bird survival and social organization.
A new Cornell University study has resolved the debate on brain evolution by determining that overall brain size accounts for most differences among vertebrate species. The research found that once a species evolves a larger brain, specialized neural networks develop in brain regions controlling specific behaviors.
A team of researchers mimics the vibrant color of Stellar's jay bird plumage and demonstrates a new way to control light interaction with materials. The development could lead to engineering new materials for solar cells, camouflage, and more.
Researchers confirm importance of first arrival for promoting species diversification in a test tube experiment with bacterial species. The study extends the 'first arrival' hypothesis with caveats, suggesting that earlier arrival allows for greater diversification if competing species are similar ecologically.
New study finds that current IUCN range maps for birds endemic to India's Western Ghats are inaccurate and overestimate suitable habitat. By incorporating citizen scientist data and environmental factors, researchers have created more accurate models that flag 10 species in need of uplisting.
A study found that urban house finches are better at solving new problems than their rural counterparts due to adaptation to human presence. Rural birds who experienced high levels of human disturbance performed poorly on the problem-solving task.
Researchers have identified the neural basis for password-based species recognition in cowbirds, a behavior that resolves the paradox of species recognition in brood parasites. The study reveals that young cowbirds use a specific chatter call as a 'password' to identify conspecifics and avoid imprinting on host species.
A new study from Hokkaido University found that duet-dancing plays a crucial role in mating success among Java Sparrows, even more so than male-singing. Females often give a copulation solicitation display before males start singing.
A study published in Science found that hunting is a major threat to wildlife, particularly in tropical regions. Within 7-40 km of hunters' access points, mammal and bird populations declined by 83% and 58%, respectively. The impact of commercial hunting was higher than family food hunting, and protected areas were also affected.
A new study reveals that promiscuity in birds slows down the formation of new species, contradicting conventional wisdom. Polygamous bird species, which breed with multiple partners, are less genetically diverse than monogamous species.
Researchers found that male songbirds' ability to learn songs is positively associated with specific cognitive abilities like color reversal and spatial learning, but not overall intelligence. This contrasts with humans and other animals where cognitive abilities tend to correlate across tasks.
Research suggests that biodiversity is linked to lower infectious disease prevalence in people, contradicting concerns that intact ecosystems pose a danger. However, animal species do not present an equal threat of disease transmission, and some families like rodents transmit disease more commonly than others.
A new tyrannosaur species, Daspletosaurus horneri, has been discovered with an unusual mode of evolution called anagenesis. The research reveals a complex sensory web derived from the trigeminal nerve, similar to humans, and a lipless mask of large scales covering its face.
A new study found that birds with longer beaks have larger blind areas in front of their heads, resulting in narrower fields of binocular vision. This finding suggests that the size of the blind area plays an important role in birds' vision.
A PhD student is conducting research on the Australian night parrot, a cryptic and nocturnal species from arid Australia. Preliminary data suggests low breeding success rates, but the project aims to improve conservation efforts through studies of ecology and survival in arid landscapes.
A new species of bird, Eoconfuciusornis, has been found with exceptionally preserved soft tissues, including feathers, skin, and collagen. The discovery provides valuable insights into the evolution of flight in birds, revealing unique features such as wing patagia and plumage patterns.
The study found that Hawaii's older islands have experienced a decline in species diversity over millions of years due to shrinking land areas. The research used a new method to analyze species diversity on the different islands and concluded that most groups are now in long-term evolutionary decline.
A new study from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville shows that diversity within a wild songbird community enhances its members' access to food and increases their ability to solve problems. The research found that mixed-species groups are more effective in finding food sources and using problem-solving skills.
Researchers warn that rising temperatures in US deserts will put songbirds at greater risk of dehydration and mass die-offs. The study found that smaller species are particularly susceptible to lethal dehydration, with the lesser goldfinch facing a 25-day-per-year risk by the end of the century.
The Brazilian spider experts discovered three new species and one new genus in the study, bringing clarity to a long-standing taxonomic problem. The researchers analyzed specimens from around the world, including those deposited in museum collections, to conclude that there are only 12 species in the Avicularia genus.
Research by academics at the University of Exeter found that people living in neighborhoods with more birds, shrubs, and trees are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress. The study also found benefits for mental health when observing birds in the afternoon.
A study found that male birds' mobbing behavior, such as dive bombing and aerial swoops, serves not only as protection against predators but also as a way to showcase their physical qualities to attract females. When females from the same species are present, males increase their participation in these displays.
A new study from Lund University and international researchers reveals that cooperative breeding of offspring is key to successful colonization in harsh environments. By sharing genes, helpers and offspring benefit from monogamous breeding females, enabling species to invade previously inaccessible areas.
A Princeton University-based study found that temperature and habitat predominantly determine the elevations where bird species live in the Himalayas. Competition limits only 12% of species, while temperature and habitat dictate 48% and 40%, respectively. The findings have significant implications for predicting how life on Earth will ...
A new study finds that small bird species in the US desert Southwest are at higher risk of lethal dehydration during heat waves, with some regions becoming uninhabitable for many species. Conservation efforts may focus on thermal refugia and water sources to mitigate this threat.
A comprehensive study published in Nature Climate Change found that nearly 700 bird and mammal species have already been impacted by climate change. The research suggests that around half of threatened mammals and 23% of threatened birds are likely to be negatively affected by future climatic changes.
A new study found that 28 of South Africa's 57 forest-dwelling bird species are declining in range, while 22 species are increasing. The data from the Southern African Bird Atlas Project indicates a link between deforestation and habitat loss, with smaller bird species more vulnerable to extinction.
Researchers found that areas with high deer numbers tend to have fewer birds that rely on forest shrubs for nesting and hunting. This is because white-tailed deer eat away at these plants, leading to a decline in songbird populations such as the Hooded Warbler and Prairie Warbler.
A new study suggests that the Ivory-billed Woodpecker may still exist, prompting a call for conservation efforts. The bird is highly elusive and its habitat is difficult to access, making it challenging to obtain conclusive photographic evidence. Researchers believe that a more pragmatic approach is needed to document the species while...
A global map of alien bird species shows that human activities are the main determinants of their presence, but also highlights areas with rich native bird species as hotspots for alien species. The study found a significant increase in bird introductions since World War II and suggests that economic factors contribute to the spread of...
A University of Illinois study found that 19 out of 20 tropical bird species in Panama may experience significantly fewer birds if conditions become drier, due to longer dry seasons and more intense seasonal droughts. The scaly-throated leaftosser is the only species that tends to increase with dryer conditions.
Research finds that urbanization is hindering the ability of certain songbird species to reproduce successfully, even after relocating. The study, published in PLOS ONE, found that forced dispersal due to suburban development can cause birds to abandon their territories and struggle to find new mates.
Researchers discovered that a dinosaur species, Limusaurus inextricabilis, lost its teeth in adolescence and did not grow another set as adults. The finding suggests a significant shift in diet from babies to adulthood, potentially explaining why birds have beaks but no teeth.
A new species of bird, Tingmiatornis arctica, has been discovered in the Canadian Arctic, dating back to approximately 90 million years ago. The fossil finds reveal a hyper-warm interval during the late Cretaceous period, with conditions allowing large birds to thrive.
A new study by the American Museum of Natural History estimates that there are approximately 18,000 bird species worldwide, nearly twice as many as previously thought. The researchers used a combination of morphology and genetic studies to highlight birds with separate evolutionary histories.
The study reveals that the square shape provides greater rigidity and higher resistance to ovalization and buckling than a hollow round shape of the same weight. This unique adaptation enables birds to fly with optimized stiffness and lightness, inspiring advanced engineering designs.
Two studies reveal that dopaminergic neurons in the brain encode errors in singing performance, helping juvenile zebra finches learn to accurately imitate their tutor's song. Meanwhile, another study finds that songbirds adjust song cadence towards an innate template, rather than learning rhythm from other birds.
Researchers at OIST uncover a neural mechanism that uses silent gaps to detect species-specific birdsong. Juvenile zebra finches learn song by mimicking adults and preferentially adopt the song of their own species despite noise and variety of birdsongs.
Researchers found hummingbirds' ability to accelerate and turn is hindered by low air density at high altitudes, affecting their performance. The study suggests climate change may impact species seeking cooler regions, including higher elevations.
A study published in Nature found that mated pairs of wild shorebirds have diverse schedules for parental care of the nest. The researchers used geolocators to track the birds' movements and timing, revealing a range of incubation bouts from every other hour to two days.