Research on birds and their behavior. Covers birdwatching and wellbeing, birds as pest control, birdsong, and migration.
Researchers found that songbirds rely on patterns in much the same way as people do when learning to recognize and categorize speech sounds. By training starlings to differentiate between complex auditory patterns, the study showed that birds can learn to categorize motifs into meaningful categories.
A new study by the U.S. Geological Survey and Florida Atlantic University reveals that past water conditions and availability are crucial factors affecting wading bird populations in the Everglades. The research found a 'lag effect' where wet conditions can take several years to impact bird numbers.
A study led by Duke University researchers found that parrots have distinct brain regions, called 'shells,' that are involved in vocal learning and may contribute to their ability to imitate human speech. The study also suggests that the shells may be responsible for the species' exceptional vocal mimicry abilities.
A study found that a single gene mutation causes the distinctive head crest in pigeons and domesticated ringneck doves, with similar mutations occurring in both species.
Researchers have pushed back the time period of sophisticated Pueblo culture by at least 150 years, suggesting a more complex society with relationships to Mesoamerican cultures. The discovery of scarlet macaw remains in ancient settlements has provided early evidence of social hierarchy and trade networks.
African songbirds use color and pattern traits to recognize forgery eggs from cuckoos, but the system is not foolproof. Researchers found that heavily parasitized birds create unique egg patterns by combining individual traits, which may have security implications.
A study by Zoological Society of London reveals that bachelor males in small, threatened populations can maintain genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding. These 'floaters' have a significant impact on population size and sex ratio, helping to increase breeding birds and influence the survival of the species.
A recent study published in Conservation Biology makes a strong case for using detailed wildlife density data to inform conservation planning. The research found that prioritizing areas with higher species richness led to the protection of more individuals of each species.
Researchers found that hierarchical social structures, where individuals follow a single leader with rapid information passing down the 'chain of command', enable pigeon flocks to navigate accurately. This allows for better decision-making even when individual birds make navigation errors.
Etienne Benson's research explores the impact of birds on the power grid in 1920s California, revealing how avian waste caused short circuits. The study highlights the importance of considering non-human actors in infrastructure systems and the need for 'insulation' and 'interconnection' strategies to mitigate nature's effects.
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that birds like magpies utilize a tiny vortex formed at the alula feathers tip to improve flight maneuverability. The researchers observed this phenomenon through wind tunnel experiments, demonstrating how the vortex helps air flow attach to the wing surface.
The Merlin Bird Photo ID system can identify 400 bird species in the US and Canada with accuracy of 90% and is designed to improve with user input. The system combines AI techniques with millions of data points from humans to present the most likely species, including photos and sounds.
A study published in Functional Ecology found that late-rising songbirds are more susceptible to being cuckolded, meaning they raise offspring fathered by other males. This suggests a potential role for sexual selection in shaping circadian traits in wild vertebrates.
Researchers combined local bird survey data from 16 point counts in Northeast and Midwest forests, revealing significant declines in populations of four ecological indicator species. The study highlights the need for more formal monitoring in rare habitats and suggests that some species may be increasing in certain regions.
Researchers discovered that Mexican Jays can 'weigh' peanuts by shaking them in their beaks, producing sounds that help identify the content. The birds prefer heavier nuts with more content over lighter ones, even when they appear identical.
Researchers found that male Java sparrows synchronize their bill-clicking sounds with the melody of their song, similar to human percussionists. This behavior suggests that birds may have an innate ability to produce and coordinate non-vocal sounds with vocalizations.
The accumulation of perfluoroalkyl substances in Canadian birds' eggs is a complex issue with varying trends among species. Some toxins are decreasing due to manufacturing phase-outs, while others continue to rise in the oceanic environment.
Scientists at UC San Diego have created thin films of material that produce a wide range of pure colors, from red to green, by arranging synthetic melanin nanoparticles. The colors are determined by the physical structure rather than pigments.
A University of Montana study found that songbird species vary in time devoted to warming eggs due to factors such as lifespan and predation risk. Longer-lived species with more future breeding opportunities invest less effort in keeping eggs warm, while those with shorter lives put more effort into caring for their young.
Researchers found a teeter-tottering climate pattern behind boreal bird irruptions, driven by boom-and-bust cycles in forest seed production. Persistent shifts in rainfall and temperature drive mass migrations of pine siskins and other species.
A new bird species, the Sichuan bush warbler, has been discovered in central China by an international team of scientists. The bird is characterized by its distinctive low-pitched drawn-out buzz and shorter click song, and can be found in dense brush and tea plantations at lower elevations.
Researchers found that bold field crickets suffer from higher mortality rates compared to shy individuals, likely due to increased predation. This study, published in Behavioral Ecology, highlights the importance of considering individual personality traits when studying animal survival and ecology.
Researchers discovered that birds with complex courtship displays have muscles sensitive to testosterone, enabling them to perform impressive acrobatics. This groundbreaking study sheds light on how hormones control social behavior in birds, paving the way for further research into the evolution of bird brawn.
The documentary follows University of Miami researcher J. Albert C. Uy as he investigates a genetic mutation causing two bird populations to split into separate species. Uy's research aims to unlock secrets of speciation and the planet's animal diversity.
A new study found that 79% of southeast African birds were infected with haemosporidian parasites, including novel malaria parasite lineages. The study's findings indicate that lifestyle characteristics of birds can influence their association with different parasite genera.
A new species of terror bird, Llallawavis scagliai, has been discovered with exceptionally preserved fossils revealing details about its anatomy and sensory capabilities. The study provides insights into the evolution, behavior, and ecology of this group of fossil birds.
Residents in both cities value bird enjoyment more than most, spending over average on bird food and supporting activities. This has a positive impact on local economies as residents invest in bird-friendly structures.
A US Forest Service-led study found that 195 out of 201 bird and mammal species in northwest Alaska could face habitat loss or gain due to climate change. The research projects up to 52% of species may experience habitat expansion, while 45% will see contractions.
Researchers analyzed mouse songs using a new statistical tool, finding that males sing more complex songs when they smell a female's urine but don't see her. The songs' dynamics are influenced by social contexts and can be used to study vocal communication and disorders, including autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers tracked tiny birds with tracking backpacks and found they flew directly over the Atlantic Ocean to reach their wintering grounds in South America. The birds took 2-3 days to complete the journey, storing up fat reserves to fuel their flight.
Researchers tracked tiny geolocators on blackpoll warbler birds to confirm their non-stop migration over the Atlantic Ocean. The journey, spanning up to 2,770 kilometers, is one of the longest recorded for a songbird.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee researchers found that bird plumage color is influenced more by natural selection than sexual selection. The study analyzed nearly 1,000 species of birds and discovered that the sexes have become closer in color over time to blend into their surroundings and hide from predators.
Flocking behavior of European starlings is studied in a computational model called Star Display. Researchers found that agitation waves form when individuals repeat the fear reaction or escape maneuver of a close neighbor.
A study found that listening to classical music enhances gene activity related to learning, memory, and synaptic function, while down-regulating genes associated with neurodegeneration. Musically experienced participants showed the most significant effects, suggesting familiarity plays a key role in music-induced changes.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that rural landowners who hunt and bird watch are more likely to engage in conservation efforts. These individuals, often referred to as 'hunter/bird watchers,' were found to be eight times more likely to participate in conservation actions than non-recreationists.
A University of Kent study reveals supplemental feeding improves Mauritius parakeet brood productivity, but increases disease susceptibility. Long-term monitoring highlights the importance of evidence-based conservation strategies.
A long-term study on house sparrows found that offspring of older parents produced fewer young. This transgenerational age effect was confirmed by researchers for the first time in free-living animals.
A University of Oklahoma research team found a link between severe weather and feather malformations in young birds. The study revealed that the stress caused by hailstones during a tornado led to abnormal nitrogen levels in the developing feathers, resulting in 'pallid bands'.
Researchers studied plain wrens' precise phrase-by-phrase modifications to achieve careful coordination in their duets. The study found that females perform longer intervals when their mates don't answer, and males modify intervals based on both the phrase type sung and the female's response.
Researchers found that mountain chickadees living at harsher high elevations exhibit superior spatial memory and problem-solving abilities. However, these birds tend to avoid novel objects, contradicting the expectation that enhanced problem-solving skills would come with increased innovation.
A study published in PLOS ONE identified wood rats and western gray squirrels as hosts for Lyme disease-causing bacteria in California, but birds were found to be more important than previously recognized. The study also discovered a new subtype of Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia bissettii, in birds for the first time in California.
Scientists have identified the canary genome and deciphered the evolution of hormone-sensitive gene regulation in seasonal singing birds. The study reveals specific evolutionary changes in different parts of the song system that control seasonal singing behaviour.
A study using satellite tracking reveals the home range of bearded vultures in the Pyrenees spans an average 11,700 km2, with notable differences between individuals. The birds' movements are also influenced by supplementary feeding points and predictable food sources.
Researchers studied bar-headed geese's migratory biology during high-altitude flights across the Tibetan Plateau, revealing a unique 'roller coaster' flight strategy. The birds employ this strategy to track underlying terrain and minimize energy expenditure due to decreasing air density and oxygen availability at high altitudes.
A recent study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that human behaviors, such as disturbance, may be driving changes to bird communities in residential areas. Despite contrasting geographies, exurban development appeared to have similar effects on birds in two regions, with some species benefiting and others negatively impacted.
Researchers found that swamp sparrows can perceive sound categories in context, a skill shared with humans. This ability may be crucial for understanding how human language arose.
A new study shows that focusing on biodiversity conservation can make current spending on threatened birds four times more effective. The research identifies the top 20 birds for safeguarding maximum biodiversity with minimum spend, including Botha's Lark, which currently receives no conservation spending.
Researchers observed golden-winged warblers leaving their breeding grounds before a historic tornado-producing storm, traveling 1,500 kilometers to avoid it. The birds likely sensed infrasound associated with the severe weather, a phenomenon known as tornadic storm avoidance behavior.
Researchers found that Dutch barnacle geese invest less energy in their immune systems, particularly resistance to general disease, compared to those breeding in the Netherlands. This allows for more energy available for reproduction and plumage changes.
A recent engineered pulse of water to the lower Colorado River Delta resulted in significant improvements, including a 23% increase in riparian zone vegetation's greenness. The event also led to germinated new willows and cottonwoods, which can grow quickly enough to keep up with receding water tables.
A new study reveals that increases in parasite prevalence and diversity are linked to offshore winds, while infected vagrant birds have a limited impact on local bird populations. The findings provide insights into the complex factors driving island biogeography and parasite persistence.
A new study reveals that crows have a minimal impact on bird species abundance, contradicting conservation efforts to control their populations. Corvids are actually being threatened by human activities unrelated to their presence.
A team of scientists has decoded the avian genome, revealing that bird evolution occurred rapidly 65 million years ago. The study provides new insights into the evolutionary history of birds, including the discovery of ancient viruses and unexpected kinship between waterbirds and landbirds.
A new method called statistical binning has been developed to help researchers construct more accurate species trees detailing the lineage of genes and relationships between species. By combining gene data using statistical optimization techniques, scientists can use all available data without having to throw away any.
A new computational technique developed at UT Austin has enabled the construction of an avian tree of life that sheds light on bird evolution, including a 'big bang' in timing and rearranged evolutionary relationships. The study analyzed entire bird genomes, providing new insights into song pattern recognition and other traits.
A study found that female great tit birds excel in spatial and learning abilities compared to males. This cognitive superiority may be linked to their lower social standing and increased need for food pilfering, allowing them to supplement their limited food supply.
Researchers used electrodes to record single neurons' activity in singing Bengalese finches, finding that precise timing of spikes contains more information than rate. The study's findings could improve prosthetic limb control and provide insights into brain function.
University of British Columbia researchers found that hummingbirds lose positional stability when exposed to moving visual patterns, even with prolonged exposure or combination of moving and stationary stimuli. This discovery highlights the complex relationship between a hummingbird's visual field and its ability to hover in place.
Researchers at UBC found that hummingbirds struggle to control their hovering when faced with visual stimuli like moving images. This phenomenon was observed in virtual reality experiments where birds were unable to adapt to dynamic visual input.
New Caledonian crows exhibit preferences for holding tools on the left or right sides of their beaks due to their unique binocular vision. This adaptation enables each bird to maintain visual control over its tool, with one eye seeing further than the other towards the opposite side of the head.