How Arctic spring kills birds in Africa
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.
Birds
Articles tagged with Birds
These audio cues are for the birds
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
Why vultures matter -- and what we lose if they're gone
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.
Similarities in species diversity and range in both terrestrial birds and marine bivalves
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.
Birds of a different color: Why some birds have more than one color type
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.
Despite their small brains -- ravens are just as clever as chimps
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.
Computers play a crucial role in preserving the Earth
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.
Research reveals trend in bird-shape evolution on islands
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.
Researchers document how broadbills make loud wing song
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.
Strong effects of climate change on common bird populations in both Europe and the USA
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.
The first 3-D atlas of the extinct dodo
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.
Storks give up on winter migration in favor of junk food
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.
Unique beak evolved with tool use in New Caledonian crow
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.
Rapid response for inflammation control in songbirds' brains could lead to therapies in humans
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.
Bird communication: Chirping with syntax
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.
Syntax is not unique to human language
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.
Songbirds pinpoint effects of Huntington's disease
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.
Woodpecker drumming signals wimp or warrior
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.
Breeding birds use alligators to protect nests from raccoons, opossums
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.
New basal bird from China reveals the morphological diversity in early birds
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.
Black widows are color-coded to deter predators without tipping off prey
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.
The couple that sings together stays together
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.
Adult male gorillas call more during feeding than females, juveniles
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.
Nocturnal migrating songbirds drift with crosswinds and compensate near coastal areas
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.
Incentivizing citizen science discovery for a sustainable world
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.
Fruit flies adjust their courtship song based on distance
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.
The 5 bird species that Darwin couldn't discover in Madeira and the Azores
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.
Neighborhood watch and more: How reed warblers watch out when there's a cuckoo about
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.
New species of bird discovered in India and China by international team of scientists
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.
New species of bird discovered in India and China by international team of scientists
A new species of bird, the Himalayan Forest Thrush, has been discovered in north-eastern India and adjacent parts of China by an international team of scientists. Genetic analysis reveals three distinct species within a previously thought to be single species, Plain-backed Thrush.
Study reveals how birds learn through imitation
Researchers found that early in adolescence, listening to a father's song activates brain cell networks used later for singing, while inhibitory interneurons 'lock' learned notes into memory by suppressing surrounding nerve activity. Fast learners showed faster brain changes.
Singing in the brain: Songbirds sing like humans
A recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that songbirds' vocal muscles can change their function to produce different sound parameters, similar to a trained opera singer. The research, led by Samuel Sober, shows that the bird's brain directs complex changes in muscle combinations to create complex songs.
Seventy-four cuckoos in the nest: A new key to all North European cuckoo wasp species
A new key to all North European cuckoo wasp species has been published, featuring descriptions and illustrations of 74 species, including the newly described Chrysis borealis. The research team used DNA sequence information and morphometric analysis to distinguish the new species from its evolutionarily young sibling.
New evidence of tool use discovered in parrots
Researchers at the University of York and University of St Andrews observed greater vasa parrots using small pebbles or date pits to grind calcium from seashells, a behavior never seen before in this species.
A common mechanism for human and bird sound production
A recent study found that humans and birds employ the exact same myoelastic-aerodynamic theory (MEAD) mechanism to produce sound. This discovery sheds light on the sophisticated vocal talents of songbirds and offers insights into the neural mechanisms underlying vocal learning in both humans and birds.
Bird decline shows that climate change is more than just hot air
A new study reveals that climate change is driving bird declines in the Western Cape, with factors such as changing fire and rainfall patterns playing a significant role. The research found striking similarities between bird population declines and increases in average temperature, highlighting the need for urgent conservation action.
Why are some wild animals more tolerant to human interaction than others?
A meta-analysis of 75 studies found that birds in urban areas are more tolerant of humans than those in rural areas, while larger birds are more tolerant than smaller ones. This challenges previous recommendations about large-bodied species being vulnerable to human presence.
Researchers reveal acoustic complexity of chickadee songs
Female black-capped chickadees produce acoustically distinct vocalizations from those of males, with birds able to tell apart the two sexes through different acoustic cues. The researchers found that females rely more on information in the second note of the song, while males focus on the first note.
The great tit bird is less attractive due to exposure to heavy metals
The study found that mercury affects the bright yellow hues on the great tit's breast, making males less attractive to females. Copper increases the size of the bird's 'black tie', while chrome reduces its area, impacting dominance and aggression.
Juvenile cowbirds sneak out at night, study finds
Researchers tracked juvenile cowbirds using automated telemetry systems, finding they leave host nests at dusk and spend nights in nearby fields before returning just after daybreak. This behavior helps young birds avoid imprinting on their host parents and learn essential survival skills.
West Nile virus killing millions more birds than previously thought, UCLA researchers find
West Nile virus is killing millions more birds and affecting many more species than initially thought. Survival estimates dropped dramatically in nearly half of the 49 studied species, highlighting the long-term effects of the disease. The research provides a warning for future infectious diseases that may affect humans as well.
Risk assessment, for the birds
Researchers studied three species of songbirds crossing the Gulf of Mexico, finding they use weather and body fat to assess migration risk. The findings can help protect migrating birds by identifying high-quality habitats along their routes.
What ever happened to West Nile?
A study analyzing 16 years of mark-recapture data found large-scale declines in roughly half of the species studied, including Swainson's thrush and tufted titmouse. Roughly half of the afflicted species managed to rebound within a year or two, including corvids like crows.
Hawaii's rarest birds may lose range to rising air temperatures, disease
Climate shifts may drive up temperatures in Hawaii, allowing mosquitos into high elevation habitats where native vegetation persists. 20 Hawaiian forest bird species risk losing more than 50% of their range under climate change scenarios.
Siberian jays can recognize unfamiliar, distant relatives
Researchers discovered that Siberian jays can identify fine-scale differences in kinship to other individuals, even those who are unfamiliar before settling into a group. This ability is linked to their cooperative behavior, particularly when sharing food at carcasses of large herbivores.
European birdwatchers unravel how birds respond to climate change
A large dataset of bird sightings across Europe shows that some species benefit from warmer winters and more productive spring times, while others decline due to changing conditions. The study suggests that climate change will favor some species over others, with the most vulnerable being those adapted to colder regions.
From hummingbird to owl: New research decodes bird family tree
Researchers at Florida State University have created the first complete bird family tree, showing that all land birds diverged from a group of dinosaurs. The study reveals unexpected relationships between different bird species, including the connection between hummingbirds and nightjars.
125-million-year-old wing sheds new light on the evolution of flight
A new study of a 125-million-year-old bird fossil from central Spain reveals intricate wing structures that match those of modern birds, supporting the idea that early birds could fly efficiently. The discovery provides key insights into the evolution of avian flight and sheds light on the capabilities of ancient birds.
Finches offer researchers a new tool with which to study Huntington's disease
Scientists have developed finches with a genetic mutation linked to Huntington's disease, enabling them to study the disorder's effects on speech. The transgenic birds display behavior disorders associated with the condition, providing valuable insights into its neurological basis.
Cold rush: Bird diversity higher in winter than summer in Central Valley
A study by UC Davis researchers found that bird diversity in the Central Valley's riparian areas is similar between summer and winter, with genetic diversity even higher in winter. Neotemperate migrants from Canada fill the gap during winter months.
Love's labors: Study shows male lizards risk becoming lunch for a bird to attract a mate
A study found that male lizards' bright colors signal attraction to females but increase risk of being attacked by birds. Despite this, 83% of male lizard models survived over five days due to color adaptations.
Birds that eat at feeders more likely to get sick, spread disease
Researchers found that birds' feeding preferences, rather than social position, are key factors in contracting and spreading a common eye disease. The study suggests targeting high-risk individuals to reduce disease transmission.
UT study: Invasive brood parasites a threat to native bird species
Research by Vladimir Dinets and Mark Hauber found that two invasive Eurasian cuckoo species are on the verge of invading North America, posing a threat to native bird populations. The cuckoos' sophisticated parasitic behavior, including egg mimicry, may evade defenses developed by Native American birds against cowbirds.
Birds reveal the evolutionary importance of love
A new study by Malika Ihle and colleagues found that zebra finches choose mates based on stimulation, leading to increased reproductive success. The research suggests that this mate-choice process is essential for the survival of the species, as it maximizes gene perpetuation through successful offspring.
As demand for African timber soars, birds pay the ultimate price
Ghana's Upper Guinea rain forests have seen a decline of over 50% in understory bird species due to increased illegal logging, which has more than doubled between 1995 and 2010
Could more intensive farming practices benefit tropical birds?
A study in the Chocó-Andes of Colombia found that intensive farming practices lead to a loss of more than 650 million years of evolutionary history in bird species. Land-sparing approaches, which protect larger blocks of natural habitat, are recommended as a more effective way to preserve biodiversity.
Many North American birds may lose part of range under climate change scenarios
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that nearly 600 surveyed bird species in North America may lose more than half of their geographic range by the end of the century due to climate change. The researchers used correlative distribution modeling to assess potential range shifts under three different climate scenarios.
UNH research: Species lines blur between 2 sparrows in New England's tidal marshes
Research by UNH scientists finds that appearance alone is not enough to identify hybrid zone birds; DNA analysis reveals complex combinations of plumage traits. The study provides insights into the challenges of monitoring hybrids in natural populations and aids in conservation initiatives for both species.
Nocturnal, compass-guided insects have a sense for turbulence too
Researchers discovered that nocturnal moths rely on turbulent fluctuations in the airstream to determine wind direction, whereas songbirds do not. This ability helps them cope with wind when traveling at high altitudes and allows for more accurate navigation.
Life histories may explain songbird paradox
Research suggests tropical songbirds invest more resources in their offspring, leading to higher survival rates, whereas temperate species prioritize quantity over quality due to high mortality rates among young adults.