Articles tagged with Birds
During the pandemic closure, UCLA's urban junco bills evolved to resemble those of mountain juncos, as they had less human-provided food. Once campus life returned, the bills reverted to their previous shape. This finding demonstrates how quickly traits can evolve under changing selective pressures.
Conservation organizations are using eBird data to select priority species, manage habitat for waterfowl, identify important bird areas, and monitor populations at regional scales. The study demonstrates how eBird data products help fill critical information gaps and support conservation planning across many Joint Ventures.
Researchers found thousands of hutia fossils in a Caribbean cave, including nests made from compacted soil and coated with a waxy substance. The discovery provides evidence of the presence of bees in the area thousands of years ago, challenging initial findings on wasp nests.
A new study found that wood warblers have borrowed color-related genes from neighboring species, leading to the evolution of diverse plumage colors. This gene exchange, known as introgression, occurred across multiple genera and is believed to have played a role in the group's rapid diversification.
Scientists at Lund University have tracked migratory red-backed shrikes using new data loggers, showing precise schedules and minimal variation between individuals. The study provides insight into genetics influencing small bird migrations across continents.
A new study found that 63% of bird species in four large European mountain ranges have shifted uphill in the past two decades, with an average movement of half a metre per year. This trend is driven by broader climatic trends and is observed in regions such as Scandinavia and the Alps.
Researchers found that male green hermit hummingbirds' bills are straighter (3%) and sharper (69%) than females', allowing for more efficient energy expenditure and stress resistance during fights. These differences were driven by the birds' tendency to fight for mates, rather than solely by ecological factors.
A new study found that insectivorous birds in the Eastern Himalayas are declining in survival rates and body mass due to changes in forest microclimates after selective logging. The team suggests conserving primary forests and creating shade covers or supplementing water sources to support vulnerable species.
A new global study found a correlation between a species' aesthetic value and its likelihood of being traded, particularly in live markets. The study highlights the troubling pattern that people's preference for visual beauty may unintentionally increase conservation risks for certain species.
The project aims to quantify the link between water conditions, fish populations, and wading bird nesting success in the Florida Everglades. Researchers will collect data on aquatic prey and habitat conditions during the dry season to provide essential insight into restoration efforts.
Researchers discovered that woodpeckers brace their head, neck, abdomen, and tail muscles to hold their bodies rigid while pounding on wood. The birds synchronize their breathing with each impact, like ace tennis stars grunting noisily to stabilize core muscles.
Researchers used hydrogen isotope analysis to track the origins of six American warbler species. The study found that vagrants originated from western parts of their breeding ranges, contradicting long-held assumptions. The findings provide new insights into bird migration mechanisms and range expansion.
Researchers found that zebra finches categorize calls into about a dozen call-types, similar to how humans hear and group them. The birds' ability to distinguish between calls with similar meaning suggests they have a mental representation of the meaning behind these vocalizations.
A new study published in Nature Conservation assesses the threat status of bird species from Vietnam, revealing critical conservation needs. The study highlights areas for improved protection and calls for integration of expanded ex situ conservation efforts.
A study has identified priority areas to reduce macaw deaths from electrocution in Brazil. Modifying 10% of high-risk poles could prevent 80% of these deaths, according to the research.
A 30-year study in southern Sweden finds that rising spring temperatures have doubled the incidence of avian malaria, with a specific period from May 9 to June 24 being particularly critical. The researchers believe that warmer years trigger blood-sucking insects to seek out nests, allowing parasites to thrive and spread disease.
Researchers have discovered a tiny foot bone in New Zealand that belongs to an extinct bird species with potentially unique courtship behaviors. The St Bathans bowerbird, found to be smaller than living species, has been given the name Aevipertidus gracilis.
Under climate change scenarios, backyard birders in South Africa can still appreciate diverse bird species, but declining biodiversity and climate change may reduce birding opportunities in protected public parks. The study found that cultural ecosystem services, like birding, have non-market value and are essential to human well-being.
A global study has discovered that birds' fear of novelty is strongly linked to their dietary specialization and migratory behavior. The research found that species with narrower diets and those that migrate may exhibit higher levels of neophobia, or fear of new things.
In a study published in PLOS Biology, researchers found that young European great tits learn essential life skills from their older siblings and non-parental adults, rather than primarily from their parents. This suggests an alternative pathway to cultural inheritance and highlights the importance of sibling relationships in shaping bi...
A new study from Lund University maps the hidden highways of the sky, revealing how environmental factors and species interaction affect animal distribution in the aerial habitat. The research highlights the importance of understanding the air as a dynamic environment that requires adaptation to preserve flying animals.
Researchers found over 20 bird species across four continents produce nearly identical whining calls when spotting parasites, suggesting a shared learned response.
Recent studies using portable nanopore sequencing technologies document and sequence Amazonian wildlife, increasing representation of Peruvian species in global genetic libraries. This initiative empowers conservationists to generate their own data, making informed decisions to combat species extinction.
Scientists successfully derive and maintain self-renewing and pluripotent ESCs from chickens and seven other bird species using a growing medium of egg yolk. The study holds promise for applications in studying embryonic development, producing lab-grown poultry, and reviving endangered birds.
The BIRDBASE dataset covers 78 ecological traits across 11,589 bird species, revealing that 54% are insectivores, with many tropical forest species under pressure. Fruit-eating birds disperse seeds in tropical forests, and fish-eating seabirds face elevated extinction risk.
A new research paper from Colorado State University finds that precipitation levels are the key environmental factor influencing genetic variation in the warbler's beak, which is crucial for heat retention. The study reveals that birds struggling to adapt to climate change experience higher stress levels and population declines.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered a unique hybrid bird that combines characteristics of green and blue jays, sparking insights into the impact of climate change on biodiversity. The finding sheds light on how changes in weather patterns can lead to unexpected species interactions.
A new study analyzes over 31 million bird observations from eBird to show regional variation in bird responses to fire, revealing nuanced impacts on bird populations. The results can inform refined fire management techniques to support biodiversity and bird conservation.
A recent study on Block Island's bird populations found that 18 species have stabilized or recovered since the 1970s and 1980s. Despite a decline in overall North American bird numbers, these findings suggest environmental conditions are adequately supporting smaller current populations.
A video study of wild spectral bats reveals social greetings, food provision, and cooperative foraging behaviors. The bats were found to exhibit gentle and cooperative behavior, recognizing researchers and forming tight cuddle-balls while roosting.
A new study sheds light on how river birds adapt their communication depending on social and environmental cues. White-throated dippers use visual signals, such as blinking bright white eyelids, to convey messages when noise levels are high.
Researchers discovered seabirds, like streaked shearwaters, drop feces every 4-10 minutes while flying to avoid fouling feathers and attracting predators. This unique habit may help the birds stay clean and fertilize the ocean below with nutrient-rich droppings.
The 66th Supplement to the Check-list of North American Birds includes significant updates to bird species classification, including new species splits for Myiarchus nuttingi, Vireo gilvus, and Larus argentatus. These changes reflect detailed analysis of sound recordings and other data.
A new, extinct shelduck species discovered on the Rēkohu Chatham Islands evolved shorter wings and longer leg bones due to its environment. The study found that flying was not energetically efficient in this context, leading to the adoption of more robust leg bones for support.
A study found that the red-headed wood pigeon's unique genetic history, shaped by centuries of gradual inbreeding, enabled its population to survive and rebound dramatically. The team's analysis revealed lower levels of highly deleterious mutations in the endangered species compared to the more widespread Japanese wood pigeon.
Researchers found that cockatoos display a wide repertoire of dance moves, with at least 10 out of 21 species exhibiting this behavior. The study reveals that dancing may have originated as courtship behavior redirected towards owners, and playing music to parrots could improve their welfare.
Researchers captured unique footage of Indian Ocean seabirds catching flying fish in mid-air using lightweight cameras. The study showed that these birds exploit windy conditions to conserve energy while hunting, suggesting a possible adaptation to patchy food sources.
The study found that bird species richness declined on nearly all Izu Islands, resulting in a degradation of bird communities. The degradation is likely due to direct predation and reduced food resources caused by introduced Japanese weasels.
Researchers at Kyoto University discovered that crested serpent eagles possess a unique genetic mutation allowing them to resist the toxins of invasive cane toads. The eagle's toxin resistance is attributed to the same amino acid sequence as the Siamese red-necked keelback snake.
Wild great tits exhibit clear behaviors signalling 'divorce' long before the breeding season, according to a study by Oxford researchers. The team used data from the Wytham Woods great tit project and found that faithful birds visited feeding stations with their partners more often than those that went on to divorce.
Researchers conducted the world's biggest bird survey in Colombia, recording 971 species and finding that clearing rainforest for cattle pasture causes a 60% greater biodiversity loss than previously thought. The study highlights the need for policymakers to consider the larger-scale impact of deforestation on biodiversity.
Researchers used AI to analyze bird songs and calls of 53 European forest bird species, revealing far more activity types than previously thought. The study showed that some species are active around dawn and twilight, and their song patterns need adjustment for breeding bird surveys.
Researchers found that Magellanic penguins alternate between traveling in direct routes and swimming with the flow of strong currents to maximize navigation efficiency. By doing so, they conserve energy while maintaining accurate headings towards their colonies.
The American Ornithological Society (AOS) has awarded 2025 Kessel Fellowships to Dr. Teresa Pegan and five others, while seven LACCR Grants were given to researchers from Latin America and the Caribbean for conservation-related research on migratory or resident birds.
Researchers found that a specific wrist bone, called pisiform, appeared in bird ancestors millions of years earlier than previously thought. This discovery suggests that the integration of this bone into the wrist was crucial for stabilizing wings during flight, tying arm musculature to wrist motion.
A recent study reveals that discarded plastic materials are a significant hazard to young birds, causing entanglements that lead to deaths. The study found that soft plastics and synthetic ropes were the most prevalent materials in bird nests, with baler twine accounting for 63% of entanglements.
Recent advances in molecular clock models and paleontological discoveries suggest many bird lineages originated during Late Cretaceous period. This early diversification coincided with the Cretaceous Angiosperm Terrestrial Revolution, a pivotal phase of terrestrial ecosystem restructuring.
Researchers are investigating whether boobies create a protective 'bubbly barrier' to reduce the impact of their high-speed dives. Preliminary findings suggest that supercavitation may indeed help mitigate the forces of impact, and further experiments are planned to confirm this effect.
A new study found that people's intuitive perception of biodiversity through visual and audio cues is remarkably accurate, aligning closely with scientific measures. Participants sorted images and audio recordings of forests based on perceived biodiversity, noticing vegetation density and light conditions visually, while acoustically d...
A study by researchers from the University of Reading predicts that over 500 bird species will face extinction within the next century. The study highlights the importance of targeted conservation measures, including breeding programs and habitat restoration, to preserve global bird diversity.
The American Ornithological Society (AOS) recognizes outstanding contributions to ornithological research, conservation, and publication. This year's awardees include Kristen Ruegg and Hugh Drummond for their work on bird genomics and behavioral ecology.
A new genomic study offers a unique lens for understanding the extinction crisis in Hawai'i, revealing that there is still time to save the critically endangered honeycreeper 'akeke'e. With only 17 species of iconic honeycreepers remaining, efforts to control mosquito populations and conservation breeding programs are underway.
Scientists have discovered fossils of multiple bird species in the Arctic, including diving birds and gull-like birds, that were breeding during the time of the dinosaurs. The findings push back the known record of birds nesting in polar regions by 25-30 million years.
Researchers discovered a novel connection between the amygdala brain region and social learning in zebra finches. Young birds preferred approaching tutors with longer but less frequent songs, suggesting the amygdala plays a role in socially selective behavior. This finding sheds new light on the neural mechanisms underlying song learning.
A Cooper's hawk learned to exploit long car queues at a street intersection to ambush unsuspecting birds. The bird understood the connection between sound signals and increasing car queue lengths, allowing it to hunt with remarkable precision.
The University of Oldenburg has secured funding for three research clusters: Hearing4all, Ocean Floor, and NaviSense. These clusters aim to improve hearing loss prediction, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as animal navigation research. The funding enables the continuation of high-quality research with social relevance.
The American Ornithological Society recognizes outstanding contributions to ornithology and bird conservation by three early-career researchers, Teresa Pegan and Valentina Gómez-Bahamón, who will deliver plenary talks at the 2025 AOS annual meeting in St. Louis, Missouri.
Researchers have made new discoveries about the ancient bird Archaeopteryx, including its ability to fly and its evolutionary history. The Chicago specimen, a well-preserved fossil found in Germany, provides insights into the species' cranial kinesis and soft tissues, challenging previous assumptions about its behavior.
Researchers have discovered that flamingos employ a range of active feeding strategies, including stomping, head jerking and beak chattering, to concentrate brine shrimp and small animals into their mouths. These behaviors create whirlpools and eddies that funnel prey towards the birds' mouths.
A major global review of bird flu in cats found 607 cases, including 302 deaths, from 18 countries and 12 cat species. The virus is highly infectious and can spread through direct contact with infected birds or other mammals, leading to severe symptoms like brain swelling.