Research on birds and their behavior. Covers birdwatching and wellbeing, birds as pest control, birdsong, and migration.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Research reveals differences in growth rates, parental care, and survival rates among tropical and temperate songbirds. Tropical birds tend to grow faster and have higher parental investment per offspring, leading to improved survival rates outside the nest.
A study describes general structure of scavenger communities worldwide, revealing that birds dominate consumption with 65.8% frequency, while mammals and large predators also play key roles in structuring these communities. The findings highlight the global impact of human activities on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
Researchers have discovered a neurological mechanism that explains how songbirds refine and alter their songs as adults, shedding light on the human brain's learning complex motor skills. The finding may have long-term implications for treating neurological conditions.
Climate change is affecting UK's blanket bogs, impacting rare upland bird species like dunlin, golden plover, and red grouse. The loss of crane fly prey due to summer droughts could lead to a 50% decline in dunlin numbers, 30% in golden plover, and 15% in red grouse by 2051-80.
Researchers found that mowing down cattails and phragmites in stormwater basins leads to a boom in mosquito populations and an increased risk of West Nile virus transmission. Mowing also disperses bird species, which are natural reservoir hosts for the virus, contrary to initial expectations.
A recent study published in Science Advances found that temperature changes are the primary environmental influence on bird species distribution in Mexico. The researchers analyzed historical data and current distributions of 115 bird species to find that only temperature change had significant impacts on avifaunal turnover.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that climate change will not lead to widespread interbreeding among closely related species. Only about 6 percent of species with non-overlapping ranges are likely to come into contact by the end of this century.
A study by the University of Exeter found a 35% decline in bird species in agricultural habitats compared to natural areas. The researchers recommend incorporating patches of natural vegetation into agricultural landscapes to maintain biodiversity.
A $1.35 million grant will fund research on predicting deadly avian flu outbreaks by understanding the influenza virus's transmission from birds to humans. The team, led by Lukas Tamm of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, aims to develop a new tool for predicting outbreak risk based on viral envelope changes.
Researchers discovered that chestnut-crowned babbler birds can rearrange meaningless sounds to create new meanings, similar to human language formation. This finding suggests a potential early step in the evolution of complex language systems.
A new study has deciphered the sounds of chestnut-crowned babbler birds to reveal a key element of human language, where rearranging meaningless sounds creates meaningful signals. This finding suggests that the ability to generate new meaning may have evolved early in the emergence of complex communication systems.