Research on birds and their behavior. Covers birdwatching and wellbeing, birds as pest control, birdsong, and migration.
Researchers discovered that European starlings and zebrafinches control their songs with the fastest-contracting muscle type yet described. These songbirds can alter volume and frequency of their songs up to 250 times per second, providing precise control over their vocalizations.
Researchers tracked bird flight patterns using radar and found that some birds fly in tandem even when 200 meters apart, suggesting active social behavior.
Researchers discuss how noise affects marine mammals, including beaked whales and killer whales, as well as the impact of urbanization on bird communication. The study highlights various mechanisms animals use to compensate for elevated noise and explores the effects of sonar and other human sounds on marine and land animals.
Research at Queen's University reveals that migrating songbirds observe and learn from local birds' 'mob' behavior to avoid predators. By recognizing social cues, they can gain valuable information about predator location and identity.
A new Montana State University study utilizes thousands of bird watcher reports and a satellite sensor to analyze biodiversity across the continental United States, Canada, and Alaska. The research team found that MODIS technology provides comprehensive measures of vegetation, allowing for broad-scaled ecological studies.
Researchers analyzed bird migration patterns in eastern Massachusetts and found that 8 out of 32 species are arriving earlier due to warming temperatures. Species that winter in the southern US are generally keeping pace with climate change, while those further south are slow to adapt.
Researchers found that migratory songbirds can learn from the songs of successful birds, leading them to choose habitats with high reproductive potential. This complex communication ability suggests that songbirds may be more than just visually selecting habitats.
A new family tree of all British birds provides clues about which species might be endangered next, with declining populations clustered together on the same branches. The study found a link between closely related birds and chances of population decline, but also noted that geographical area inhabited by species is not a key factor.
Researchers found that New Zealand birds can change their nesting behavior in response to introduced predators, reducing the risk of predation. This adaptation allows island birds to survive even in areas with high levels of predator activity, providing new insights for conservation efforts.
A new study by Arizona State University researchers found that artificially coloring the breast feathers of male barn swallows increased their testosterone levels, challenging the traditional view that internal processes determine external features. The study suggests a dynamic system where physical appearance affects physiology.
A new CU-Boulder study reveals that artificial darkening of a male North American barn swallow's breast feathers leads to an increase in testosterone levels, challenging the traditional view that physiology forms external features.
Shorebirds like phalaropes exploit contact angle hysteresis and capillary ratchets to propel food into their mouths, overcoming gravity. The efficiency of this process depends on beak shape and wettability, making it vulnerable to oil spills.
A new report by the Ecological Society of America finds that restoring fish populations in the Great Lakes leads to a shift in herring gull diet, with birds opting for terrestrial food instead. This change may have severe consequences for other species, such as terns, which are more closely tied to aquatic environments.
A new system of smart buoys installed along Massachusetts Bay's busy shipping lanes is helping to reduce collisions between right whales and ships. The buoys recognize the whales' distinctive calls and provide real-time warnings to ships, allowing them to avoid deadly encounters.
A meta-analysis of over 50 studies found that bird feeding can lead to immediate positive outcomes, such as increased chick survival, but also creates ecological traps and disrupts natural selection. The study highlights the need for more comprehensive research on the impact of bird feeding on ecosystems.
Research suggests that increased competition between species for resources limits new species evolution, with rates of speciation slowing down over time. Studies analyzed bird family phylogenies and found a decrease in new species formation as the number of competitors increases.
Female zebra finches strongly preferred directed, courtship songs with less variability in pitch, indicating an ear for detail. The study's findings also suggest that females' preferences shape male song behavior over time, highlighting the importance of social communication in birdsong production and perception.
Ornithologists have discovered a new bird species, Zosterops somadikartai, or Togian white-eye, in the Togian Islands of Indonesia. The species is believed to be endangered due to its limited range and numbers.
Researchers found that bird brain structures for singing and learning are embedded in areas controlling movement, indicating a possible evolutionary link between vocal learning and motor control. This discovery may also shed light on human language origins, with spoken language possibly emerging from pre-existing motor pathways.
Researchers found that pigeons increase slow-wave sleep to recover from sleep loss, mirroring human brain function. This discovery sheds light on the role of sleep in animals and may provide insights into human sleep patterns.
Research by the University of Exeter and Queen's University Belfast shows that providing extra food to garden birds in winter makes for a more successful breeding season in the spring. Birds that receive extra food, such as peanuts, lay eggs earlier and produce more fledglings.
Scientists have found that male Anna's hummingbirds create a distinctive chirping sound by spreading their tail feathers during dive displays, which is used to attract females and deter rivals. The unique mechanism, similar to the whistling of ducks, sheds new light on bird sound production.
Scientists have found that avian flu viruses must bind to umbrella-shaped alpha 2-6 glycan receptors to infect humans. This new interpretation explains inconsistencies in previous models and could aid in the development of vaccines against a deadly flu pandemic.
Scientists have found that natural variation is a built-in mechanism to allow the nervous system to explore and maintain motor skills, even in highly practiced skills like those seen in top athletes and musicians. This discovery has implications for rehabilitating patients following strokes and other damage to the nervous system.
A recent study published in Conservation Biology found that threatened bird species tend to have their ranges overestimated by 40-70% compared to actual surveys. This overestimation is particularly pronounced for narrow-ranging and specialized species, which are also more vulnerable to extinction.
Researchers found that avian polyomaviruses spread through an 'upwards vertical' route, from offspring to parents via nestling faeces, highlighting a previously unnoticed cost of parental care. This study may open new research agendas on the evolution of virulence and coevolution of vectors, viruses, and hosts in the wild.
Researchers found that reducing FoxP2 levels impaired zebra finch song development, showing a critical role for the gene in vocal learning. This similarity with humans suggests shared molecular substrates for vocal learning across species.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered that migrating adult sparrows possess an internal navigational map, enabling them to find their way after being thrown off course by thousands of miles. In contrast, juvenile birds, lacking experience, use only a compass to orient themselves southward and struggle to adjust their flight plan.
Research on male dark-eyed juncos reveals that fluctuations in testosterone levels drive males to seek mates but also cause them to lose interest in parenting. Males with stable testosterone levels are more likely to invest time and energy in parenting, while those with fluctuating levels exhibit mixed behavior.
Researchers investigated the evolution of army-ant following in tropical bird species, revealing specialization categories from casual to professional dependency. The study found army-ant following has persisted for millions of years, with implications for bird populations facing threats like deforestation and global warming.
Research finds that female bird species develop a sexual preference for males of their own species, driven by genes on the sex chromosome inherited from the father. This discovery sheds light on how new species are formed and may explain the existence of new species despite occasional hybridization.
A team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison identified a single change in a viral protein that facilitates the H5N1 avian flu virus's ability to infect the upper respiratory system in mammals. This adaptation enables efficient transmission through coughing and sneezing, potentially setting the stage for a pandemic.
A study published by the University of Washington found that urban bird species can endure a wider range of environmental conditions than their rural counterparts. The researchers discovered that these birds have adapted to survive in cities, which are often harsher habitats than their natural environments.
New evidence from a tiny Mongolian dinosaur suggests that small size evolved before flight in dinosaurs, forcing paleontologists to re-examine their assumptions about the evolution of birds. The study found that some dinosaur lineages actually increased in size over time, contradicting previous theories.
Research published in Biology Letters finds that dog-walking in bushland causes a significant reduction in bird diversity and abundance, with ground-dwelling birds most affected. The study's findings support the long-term prohibition of dog-walking from sensitive conservation areas.
In a study on the superb fairy-wren, researchers found that mothers who receive child-care assistance from helpers produce smaller eggs with less nutritious yolks, allowing them to live longer and breed more often. This unique adaptation suggests that helper birds may play a crucial role in the survival of some bird species.
Researchers have linked unpredictable rainfall to cooperative breeding in birds, particularly among African starlings living in savannas. This evolutionary adaptation allows more chicks to survive over long periods of uncertain environmental conditions.
African starlings exhibit cooperative breeding behavior in savannas with high rainfall uncertainty, maximizing reproductive success. The strategy may become more widespread as environmental variability increases due to climate change.
A CU-Boulder study found that bird presence in conifers increases tree growth by up to one-third, removing damaging insects. The study's findings suggest a complex relationship between birds and trees, with implications for forest health and management.
Gambel's white-crowned sparrows use testosterone to trigger seasonal growth of brain regions responsible for song production. The study found that deafened birds still grew larger song control areas as large as hearing birds, but sang less often.
Research found that birds with brightly colored plumage and those that migrate long distances are more adversely affected by Chernobyl radiation due to their high antioxidant levels. Populations of these species declined significantly, while drab species were less affected.
A Duke University study found that female white-crowned sparrows prefer newer versions of their love song, indicating a shift in mate selection and territorial behavior. The researchers used controlled laboratory tests to assess bird responses to different song versions, revealing subtle yet significant differences.
The BBVA Foundation is funding 12 research projects in Ecology and Conservation Biology, focusing on climate change's impact on shorebird populations and mercury pollution in biodiversity hotspots. The projects also include studies on noise pollution's effect on tropical birds and the conservation status of the monito del monte marsupial.
A recent study published in PNAS U.S.A. utilized functional MRI to examine the brain activity of awake, mildly sedated zebra finches during song stimulation. The research found that the right side of the birds' brains discriminated sounds better, suggesting a possible link between bird song and human speech disorders like stuttering.
A Humboldt penguin was found in Alaskan waters, and researchers believe it was brought there by being kept as a pet on a fishing boat. The penguins were probably kept by the crews of the vessels, which would have traveled far north from their native southern waters.
A study warns that climate change and deforestation will lead to significant declines in global bird diversity over the next century. According to the research, even under optimistic scenarios, at least 400 bird species are projected to become imperiled by 2050 due to reductions in their geographic ranges.
Australian magpie-larks' synchronized duets signal strength and cooperation, eliciting more aggressive responses from rival males. The study found that coordinated displays are crucial for assessing coalition quality and defending territories.
Researchers found that young birds learned more than half of their songs by eavesdropping on adult tutors interacting with another bird. Direct interaction with a tutor accounted for only 19% of the songs, highlighting the role of eavesdropping in song learning.
A recent study by Stanford University researchers found that tropical forest birds can thrive in coffee plantations with minimal restoration, highlighting the importance of preserving remnant trees and riparian corridors. The study suggests that humans and birds may coexist successfully if farmers leave small reserves of native forest.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that tropical birds expend less energy at rest compared to northern bird species. The researchers measured basal metabolic rate (BMR) and peak metabolic rate (PMR) in 69 species of tropical birds, finding they used about 18% less energy than temperate birds.
A study of female waterfowl reproductive tracts reveals two unexpected structures that may be designed to selectively exclude the male phallus. The findings suggest a dynamic co-evolution between male and female genitalia in response to sperm competition and forced copulations.
Researchers analyzed 24 years of data from a cooperative bird species, finding that delayed breeding was not costly to lifetime reproductive success for females. In contrast, males showed reduced reproductive success due to shorter breeding careers. The study challenges the long-held assumption that delayed breeding is always detrimental.
Data from decades of bird surveys show a decline in total birds in the region, but some species' populations increase due to habitat changes, while others decrease despite migration or expansion into new habitats.
Research suggests that a video of an extinct woodpecker in Arkansas may be a case of mistaken identity, as it closely resembles another native species. The analysis compares the footage with fresh recordings of the Pileated Woodpecker, revealing similarities in wing movement and plumage
Researchers found that food scarcity is the primary driver of bird migration, contradicting previous theories. The study also revealed that flock foraging is less likely to lead to migration.
A study by University of New Hampshire professor Brett Gibson found that humans and pigeons primarily rely on corners of an object to recognize it, rather than shading and color. This similarity in visual processing could lead to future technological advancements, such as small visual prosthetics for the visually impaired.
Researchers have assembled a genetic portrait of birdlife in the U.S. and Canada, identifying 15 new species that are nearly indistinguishable from human eyes and ears. The team also successfully logged DNA attributes of 87 bat species of Guyana, revealing six new species.
A team of computer scientists from Texas A&M University and the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a robot called ACONE to scan skies for birds near Brinkley, Ark. The robot uses AI-powered object detection to identify potential ivory-billed woodpeckers.
Researchers from UC Berkeley and Texas A&M University deploy high-resolution intelligent robotic video system to locate the ivory-billed woodpecker, a species considered extinct for decades. The system provides detailed video sequences of other birds, suggesting a new approach to field biology work.
A new forest reserve in Colombia has been created to protect the chestnut-capped piha, an Endangered bird species restricted to a few tiny remnant forest patches. The reserve also safeguards habitats for seven Vulnerable and four Endangered frog species, including one believed to be found only at this site.