Research on birds and their behavior. Covers birdwatching and wellbeing, birds as pest control, birdsong, and migration.
A new study from the University of Chicago found that female birds' color vision is essential for mate selection and sexual dimorphism. The research, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, suggests that the expression of a specific opsin gene is linked to the evolution of colorful plumage in males.
Researchers have confirmed the discovery of a new bird species, the Sulawesi streaked flycatcher, after 15 years. The bird has distinct plumage, body structure, song and genetics compared to other flycatchers, confirming its classification as a new species.
A recent study published in Nature sheds new light on how species diverge, finding that prolonged periods of landscape stability are more important than dramatic geographical changes. The research shows that longer the length of time a species can inhabit an area, the more likely it will disperse and diverge.
Researchers discovered that estrogen-producing glial cells play a crucial role in controlling inflammation within hours of brain injury, potentially leading to new therapies. This rapid response could help preserve vital brain function and hasten recovery from brain injuries such as stroke.
A new study led by Dartmouth researcher Jodi Brandt shows that China's conservation efforts have displaced ancient community-managed protections, accelerating old-growth logging. Total forest cover increased, but biodiversity value decreased as scrub and secondary forests dominated the landscape.
A USGS study predicts that bird species will breed, feed, and live in the conterminous US differently by 2075. Climate change and human activities like land use and deforestation are expected to drive these shifts.
Fidel Santamaria and his team aim to transform traditional approaches to understanding brain networks using a power-law framework. They will build computational tools to analyze and model power-law dynamics at multiple scales, from molecules to behavior.
A Virginia Tech graduate student has received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fellowship to study the effects of mercury contamination on red-winged blackbird populations. Her research aims to investigate how stress hormones and disease are connected in birds, with potential implications for understanding avian malaria infections.
Common bird species across Europe are experiencing significant declines in population, with many providing essential services for humans such as pest control and seed dispersal. The study's findings highlight the critical importance of birds in maintaining ecosystem balance and human health.
Bird populations across Europe have experienced sharp declines, with the majority of losses from the most common species. However, some less common birds have shown increases in recent years due to conservation efforts and legal protection. The study highlights the need for greater efforts to halt these continent-wide declines.
A University of Adelaide-led project has developed a new test that can identify vaccinated birds with live H5N1 virus, preventing the spread of emerging strains. This breakthrough could help track and control the highly contagious avian influenza virus.
New research reveals that Swainson's warbler populations are increasing in pine plantations, which could support majority of breeding populations by 21st century. The species, one of North America's rarest songbirds, has been found to thrive in a surprising new habitat, boosting conservation hopes.
Dinosaurs had highly developed color vision, including the ability to see ultraviolet light, which likely contributed to the evolution of feathers. This discovery sheds new light on the origin of feathers and their role in dinosaur communication and mating.
Researchers found that zebra finch pairs utilize their innate calls for bonding and cohesion, with brain activity correlating to these calls. This suggests an evolution of songbirds' brain regions from simple vocalization systems to specialized networks for learned songs.
Researchers found that birds grouped together are less susceptible to West Nile virus infection, with a significant decrease in exposure compared to solo birds. This phenomenon, known as the 'encounter-dilution effect', suggests that individual risk is minimized when multiple birds roost together.
Researchers from the University of Southampton have discovered that feather shafts exhibit varying layer thickness and orientation according to flight style. This finding challenges previous assumptions about feather morphology and opens doors for innovative engineering applications.
A study found that artificial light in city centres extends the daily activities of blackbirds, allowing them to forage for longer. Males are more active later than females due to their larger eyes and differing sensitivity to light.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that climate change is causing smaller, southerly distributed bird species to move northwards, altering the composition of winter bird communities in eastern North America. This shift is likely driven by warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns.
A comprehensive new evolutionary 'tree of life' for the tropical cotinga family has been generated, providing insight into the evolution of over 60 species. The study reveals that sexual selection appears to have played a role in the evolution of non-plumage gender differences in some cotinga species.
Research finds that a vaccine protecting against an old avian flu strain primes the immune system for a rapid response when a new vaccine is given a year later. Combining this with an adjuvant, a lower dose of the new vaccine works better in triggering an immune response than a stronger dose without it.
A new computational method suggests that Darwin's 'jump dispersal' theory is supported by strong evidence, especially for island species. The study found that jump dispersal can explain the biogeography of Hawaiian Islands and other archipelagos with a greater statistical probability than vicariance methods.
UConn scientists have found a way to prevent Monk Parakeet nests from causing power outages and public hazards on utility poles. By blocking the pathway to their nests, researchers can keep these invasive birds from building huge nests that weigh up to 200 pounds and cost electric utility companies millions of dollars annually.
A comprehensive family tree of meat-eating dinosaurs reveals the gradual emergence of bird-like features, such as feathers and wishbones. The study supports a theory that sudden evolutionary changes led to an explosion in avian diversity, resulting in thousands of species today.
Researchers found no significant difference in take-off performance between peacocks with and without their iconic trains. Despite initial expectations, the elaborate plumage does not seem to be a costly sacrifice for male birds. However, it may still affect flight stability and running ability.
A team of researchers challenged traditional views on how birds ended up in the Neotropics, proposing speciation driven by bird movements across physical barriers. The CCNY analysis suggests that geological changes may not have been the primary driver of biodiversity.
Researchers find that geographic isolation is more often due to bird movements across physical barriers, suggesting a generalizable explanation for speciation initiation. The study also highlights the importance of prolonged landscape stability and human alterations in killing the speciation process.
A new study reveals that tropical bird speciation is driven by movements of birds across physical barriers, contradicting the long-held view that it's linked to geological and climate changes. The research found most speciation occurred in the Pleistocene era, long after the origin of mountain ranges.
A new study suggests that conserving the precious Atlantic Forest in Brazil could be achieved by investing US$198 million per year, equivalent to 0.01% of the country's annual GDP. This would require setting aside land for reforestation and preserving at least 30% of native habitat to maintain current levels of biodiversity.
Research reveals that the population structure of feather lice matches that of Galápagos hawks across the archipelago, indicating a co-evolutionary relationship. This study provides evidence for the hypothesis of co-divergence between parasites and hosts as a major driver of biodiversity.
Researchers found that New Caledonian crows can discriminate between different volumes of water and pass a modified test, previously only achieved by 7- to 10-year-old children. The birds' ability to choose options that displace more water suggests they attend to cause-and-effect relationships.
A team of researchers from York University created the first ever migratory connectivity map produced for a songbird, using tracking from both breeding and winter sites. The study reveals that wood thrushes have dual citizenship, with Canadian birds migrating to Nicaragua for the winter.
Research finds hybrid birds take longer, more difficult routes than their parent species, with strong genetic control of migratory behavior. The study suggests that mixed genetic background helps maintain the diversity of songbirds.
Researchers used geolocators to track songbirds' migration patterns, finding that hybrid species exhibited increased variability in their routes. This study supports the hypothesis that differences in migratory behavior can act as postmating reproductive isolating barriers.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London developed an automatic analysis technique to identify characteristics of bird sounds from recordings. The system combines feature-learning and classification algorithms to distinguish between bird species in a large dataset, with promising results in public contests.
A new model analyzing bird responses to climate change suggests that precipitation, not temperature, is the key factor influencing population trends. The study found that changes in precipitation can affect plant growth, soil moisture, and insect abundance, leading to declines in certain species.
A recent study reclassifies Scansoriopteryx as a non-dinosaurian bird, with characteristics like elongated forelimbs and wing feathers. The findings validate predictions from the early 1900s that small, tree-dwelling archosaurs are the ancestors of birds.
A new study using geolocators on lark sparrows reveals individual migration routes and differences in pace. The birds took unique routes to Central Mexico, differing in their overall pace.
Researchers discovered a specialized bird pollination system in Axinaea flowers, where birds consume male reproductive organs to receive pollen and nutrients. This complex mechanism involves the 'bellows' organ, which blasts pollen onto the birds' beaks as they forage.
Scientists have discovered a new pathogen, Trichomonas stableri, linked to recent mass die-offs of Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons. The parasite, along with ancient species Trichomonas gallinae, causes severe lesions that can block the esophagus or trachea, leading to suffocation.
A new study explains how Avibase, an online global database of birds, successfully addresses issues related to standardized scientific names and their meanings. The database pairs scientific names with citation definitions using taxonomic concepts.
A new study by ecologists at Penn State found that grassland bird populations declined due to the loss of habitat, rather than insecticide use. The researchers analyzed population data from the US Geological Survey and found a strong positive association between CRP lands and grassland bird trends.
Researchers dispel the idea of evolutionary trade-offs between plumage and song in a large study of tanagers, a family of songbirds from Central and South America. The study found that some species can exhibit both flashy colors and complex songs without sacrificing one for the other.
A UCI-Wesleyan study found that caterpillars with varied diets are less camouflaged and easier prey for birds. This increased risk is offset by the benefits of reduced predation on plants that caterpillars with restricted diets consume.
The new Birdsnap app, developed by Columbia Engineering researchers, can identify 500 common North American bird species using computer vision and machine learning techniques. It offers users various ways to organize species and even annotates images with distinctive parts for easy identification.
Researchers from India, US, Germany, and Sweden study songbirds in the Himalayas, finding significant genetic differences between closely related species. The team concludes that the region's saturated habitats hindered new species evolution.
A new study by the University of Adelaide's Australian Centre for Ancient DNA has solved a 150-year-old evolutionary mystery about the origins of giant flightless birds. The research found that the kiwi is most closely related to the extinct Madagascan elephant bird, contrary to previous claims.
Researchers found that conventional oil and gas development in northern Pennsylvania is altering bird communities, with songbird species being pushed out and generalist species taking their place. The study revealed changes in avian guilds resulting from oil and gas development, suggesting a loss of community uniqueness.
New indicators of social and environmental well-being are being used to measure a nation's success beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These include birth weight, hours slept, eyeglasses, city birds, washing machines, and teenage schoolgirls, highlighting the need for broader measures of societal progress.
Researchers found that European birds are expanding their ranges into UK nature reserves, but non-native wetland birds such as the Black Swan and Egyptian Goose are also invading protected areas. The study highlights the importance of conservation efforts to tackle these invasions and protect native species.
A recent study assembled a large dataset using ancient moa DNA and found convincing evidence that tinamous are closely related to extinct moas, leading to independent loss of flight. Morphological characters of ratites were mostly convergent, evolving independently as adaptations to a cursorial lifestyle.
Researchers from the University of Missouri found that juvenile songbirds are vulnerable to environmental hazards, especially during the first three weeks after leaving their parents' nests. The study emphasizes the importance of providing suitable habitats for young birds to survive on their own.
A study found that birds underwent rapid body size changes to exploit new ecological niches, while other dinosaur lineages stagnated. The team estimated the body mass of 426 species using leg bone thickness, revealing a prolonged period of high evolutionary rates in the lineage leading to birds.
A study found that dinosaurs showed rapid rates of body size evolution in early forms, but these slowed down over time. However, the evolutionary line leading to birds continued to change size at this rate for 170 million years, producing new ecological diversity not seen in other dinosaurs.
Researchers discovered that finches in the Galapagos Islands use treated cotton to kill parasitic fly maggots, protecting baby birds and potentially helping endangered species. The biologists tested this self-fumigation method on Darwin's finches, showing that it is effective against the nest fly Philornis downsi.
Researchers found a negative relationship between predation pressure and bird longevity, supporting the classical theory of ageing. The study analyzed data from nearly 1400 bird species, revealing that larger species with faster reproductive rates tend to live shorter lives.
Researchers found that filling of ecological niches slows the diversification of Himalayan songbirds. The study, which analyzed genetic relationships between 461 songbird species, discovered that eastern Himalayan species are separated from each other by six to seven million years, suggesting a slowing of evolution.
Researchers found that effective communication involves both signalers and receivers, with groups of males called leks increasing accuracy for females. Investing in ecological structures showed a weak improvement in signaling ability, while using non-food items reduced accuracy.
Researchers analyzed breeding bird surveys for 40 songbird species over 35 years and found they shifted either northward or to higher elevation in response to climate change. This suggests previous studies may have underestimated the effects of environmental warming by only looking at one factor.
A Yale-led research team developed a new approach to species conservation that prioritizes genetic and geographic rarity. The method was applied to all 9,993 known bird species, revealing areas where maximum conservation of bird diversity can be achieved with minimal investment.
A new study finds that several iconic Adirondack birds are in trouble, with declines driven by the size of their wetland habitats, connectivity, and proximity to human infrastructure. The analysis suggests that these species face challenges in this environment, particularly due to climate change and habitat alteration.