Research on birds and their behavior. Covers birdwatching and wellbeing, birds as pest control, birdsong, and migration.
Researchers found that ski pistes above tree line have fewer species and lower bird numbers compared to natural grassland at similar altitudes. Ecologists warn of potentially serious threat to wildlife habitat conservation in the Alps.
A recent study published in Science has found that the size of Amazon forest reserves is crucial for protecting bird species. The research, led by Gonçalo Ferraz, used a 13-year data set of over 40,000 bird captures to show that larger areas are more important than isolation in maintaining biodiversity.
Current UK agri-environment schemes have worked well for rare and localised species but struggled to reverse declines of more widespread bird species. A new study suggests that tailored habitat management to regional differences could be key to success.
University of Alberta researchers identified a specific nuclei in the hummingbird's brain that detects visual motion, enabling it to stay stationary mid-air and hover. This neural specialization is two to five times larger than in any other species, relative to brain size.
A comprehensive worldwide map of mammals, birds, and amphibians shows that endangered species from different groups don't inhabit the same areas, contradicting conservationists' assumptions. This discovery has significant implications for conservation planning and decision-making.
A global study has found that pinpointing rare bird species isn't a reliable way to assume where other endangered animals occur. The research gathered data on 9,626 bird species, 4,104 mammal species, and 5,619 amphibian species to show that closer examination is needed for conservation efforts.
Researchers identified 'sociality' neurons in bird brains, which promote positive affiliation and are more active in gregarious species. The study's findings have implications for understanding social behavior in animals, including humans.
Researchers have created antibodies against H5N1 virus, showing complete protection in mice at low doses when administered before infection. Higher doses are required for later administration, with less effective results from a second antibody.
Researchers found that female house finches deposit significantly more antioxidants into eggs sired by unattractive males, which protects the embryo during development. This strategic allocation allows females to maximize reproductive output despite potential limitations from suboptimal pairings.
A new research by University of Calgary paleontologist Nick Longrich challenges the traditional idea that birds began flying by taking off from the ground. Instead, it suggests that the earliest known ancestor of modern-day birds took to the skies using primitive feathered wings on their arms and legs.
Researchers found that pied babblers continue to care for their young during this period, using a special "purr" call to recruit inexperienced fledglings. This novel form of extended parental care prolongs offspring care and sheds light on the sophistication of bird parenting.
European blackbirds born in cities exhibit a reduced stress response compared to those from forests, which may be the result of urban-specific selection pressures. This adaptation helps them thrive in concrete habitats around the globe.
Incomplete vaccination of poultry flocks can lead to undetected spread of deadly avian flu strains like H5N1, according to a new study published in Nature journal. The research suggests that nearly all birds must be vaccinated to prevent silent transmission between farms.
Asian vulture populations are critically endangered due to diclofenac poisoning; diclofenac residues can cause lethal kidney failure if birds feed on treated carcasses. Recent government measures restrict veterinary use of diclofenac, promoting meloxicam as a safe alternative.
Scientists from NASA and the University of Maryland used a new tool to track possible habitats of the ivory-billed woodpecker in delta regions along the lower Mississippi River. The study aims to determine if the species is extinct or still living.
The study estimates that birds have been going extinct at a rate of about one species per year since 1500, exceeding the natural rate by 100 times. Conservation efforts are reducing extinction rates to about one bird species every three or four years, but more species are likely to disappear during the 21st century.
The study analyzes data on 9,500 bird species and finds that most have small geographic ranges, while the northern hemisphere shows high variation. Biodiversity peaks in tropical regions, and there's a link between species richness and range size, with high biodiversity areas having smaller ranges.
The study found that species with smaller range areas are at higher risk of extinction due to increased vulnerability to habitat changes. Larger range sizes, on the other hand, result in fewer but larger populations, making them less susceptible to population wipeouts.
Researchers found that female domesticated canaries varied the size of their eggs in response to the attractiveness of the male's song. The study highlights the importance of behavioral stimuli for reproductive physiology. In this experiment, attractive songs led to larger eggs, but no difference was observed in brood sex ratio.
A study using bird assemblages data from 1968 to 2003 found evidence that human activities have shaped large-scale ecological patterns. Many bird species experienced geographic range expansion and an increased abundance of common species over time.
A team of Princeton University researchers tracked 14 green darner dragonflies for up to 10 days and found their flight patterns showed similarities to bird migration patterns. The study suggests that the rules for animal migration may have been established in Earth's history, with implications for agriculture and ecological management.
An Emory study found that estrogen affects the selectivity of gene expression in response to song and beeps. Hormone-treated female white-throated sparrows responded with mating moves to seductive male songs but ignored synthetic beeps, while untreated females showed no reaction.
Researchers found that juvenile birds, like chukar partridges, use a form of locomotion called 'wing-assisted incline running' (WAIR) to climb steep slopes. This behavior may have been crucial for the evolution of flight in birds, as it would have provided an advantage when pursuing prey or escaping predators.
Researchers found that starlings can classify acoustic sequences defined by recursive grammars, a feature thought to be exclusive to humans. The birds learned to distinguish between two sets of songs using abstract patterns and performed well above chance when tested with novel combinations.
Researchers found that starlings can learn to distinguish between two different patterns of organizing sounds used for communication, including recursive center-embedding. This ability challenges the long-held assumption that human language is uniquely complex and computational.
Researchers found that birds control overtones by changing the shape of their upper esophagus and larynx. This technique allows for more tonal purity in song production, mirroring a human vocal tract used for speech.
Researchers found that a dose of 90 micrograms per shot was most effective in producing protective antibodies against bird flu. To make the vaccine available to more people, studies are underway to test an adjuvant called alum, which could allow for reduced doses and increased supply.
Researchers at Indiana University found that plant species can be just as easily divided into categories as animal species, contrary to previous claims. The study also revealed that many bird and fish species successfully hybridize in the wild, while ferns are less likely to produce fertile hybrids.
Research suggests that birds with large forehead spots, indicating good health, are more likely to produce antibodies against Newcastle virus. This study provides insight into the evolutionary pressures driving the development of attractive features in animals.
A team of scientists from Conservation International and the Indonesian Institute of Science discovered dozens of new species, including a rare bird of paradise, a new honeyeater, frogs, butterflies, and a tree kangaroo. The expedition revealed an untouched tropical forest ecosystem, providing insights into biodiversity conservation.
The spread of avian influenza in Turkey highlights the need for increased global funding to combat bird flu and prevent human pandemics. Donors at the International Pledging Conference acknowledged that funds should be scaled up to address this failure, with estimated costs ranging from $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion.
Researchers discovered that zebra finches store auditory memories of caregivers' songs in a specific part of the brain involved in hearing, which may underlie vocal learning in songbirds and provide clues to human speech acquisition. This finding supports independent evidence from Patricia Kuhl's work on infant language development.
Researchers discovered that toucan beaks are made of a bio-composite consisting of keratin tiles glued to a rigid foam-like interior, providing exceptional lightweight strength. The study's findings could lead to the development of ultra-light aircraft and vehicle components with improved impact-absorption systems.
Researchers find mouse songs have syllabic diversity and temporal regularity, similar to birdsong, but with less complexity. The study adds mice to the list of creatures that sing during courtship, paving the way for future investigation into mouse vocalizations in wild populations.
Researchers discovered that male mice produce ultrasonic calls with complex passages, syllable types, and regular time signatures, meeting the definition of song. The findings suggest that mouse song may approach that of many songbirds, opening new avenues for research into the genetic contributions to song and learning.
A new study by Janis Dickinson found that accumulated wealth encourages delayed dispersal in Western bluebirds, leading to close-knit family relationships. By manipulating the mistletoe resource, Dickinson demonstrated that reducing wealth causes sons to leave their parents' territory.
Recent discoveries in China have led to new questions about the claim of direct derivation between birds and theropod dinosaurs. Researchers found no evidence for protofeathers on dinosaurs and suggest decomposition patterns may be mistaken for feathers.
In a study published in Science, researchers found that female barn swallows prefer males with darker breast and belly feathers, which signal high quality and health. This dynamic and continual process allows females to assess potential mates daily, influencing the evolution of showy ornamental traits.
A team of scientists, led by Henry Howe from the University of Illinois Chicago, will conduct a multi-year test to restore diversity to agricultural landscapes in Veracruz, Mexico. They aim to demonstrate that bird- and bat-dispersed seeds can connect isolated tree species, promoting species diversity.
The discovery of avian flu in a new family of mammals highlights the possibility that the virus may be capable of infecting other mammal species. Critically endangered civet cats in Vietnam are at risk due to lack of screening, prompting concerns for biodiversity hotspots.
Researchers at Cornell University have provided new evidence for the existence of the ivory-billed woodpecker, a species once thought to be extinct. The video analysis highlights key differences in wing coloration between the two bird species, supporting the claim that the footage shows an ivory-billed woodpecker.
Researchers have released new audio recordings of ivory-billed woodpeckers, showing striking similarities to existing evidence. The findings suggest a high probability that multiple birds exist in the area, providing additional hope for the species' survival.
The study uses a new global database to show that different measures of biodiversity, such as species richness and extinction risk, do not map consistently across the globe. This finding highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to conservation strategy.
A team of biologists has discovered that plumed feather structures involve the coordination of at least two genes that activate and inhibit barb growth. This finding provides the best experimental evidence for a classical theory of growth in complex biological structures.
Cornell researchers have discovered audio recordings that suggest at least two birds, including the ivory-billed woodpecker, are present in Arkansas. The sound of a distinct double rap and nasal 'kent' calls have been confirmed by several top ornithologists, who initially disputed the initial evidence.
Researchers have identified a key role for two proteins, SHH and Bmp2, in the development of barbs on feathers. The dynamic signaling interaction between these proteins supports an activator-inhibitor mechanism, which explains how feather patterning is achieved.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new breeding program that selects passive livestock animals, leading to increased productivity and improved animal well-being. The program, which avoids inbreeding problems, also reduces competition among animals for resources, resulting in less aggressive behavior and injuries.
Researchers at Yale University discovered that male birds produce unique songs by rubbing their wings together. The wing song is as loud as a typical bird vocal and can be heard tens of meters away. This unusual behavior supports the theory that sounds made by feathers evolved through sexual selection.
The club-winged manakin, a rare species found in Ecuador's cloud forest, produces a unique sound by rubbing its inner feathers together. This adaptation is driven by sexual selection and makes the male more attractive to females.
The study reveals that wintering waterbirds, primarily tufted ducks and coots, deplete mussel populations by over 90% in waters up to 11m deep. This top-down effect has a significant impact on the littoral community, with mussels recovering during summer months.
A K-State professor developed a landscape-based model to assess extinction risk for migratory songbirds affected by habitat loss and fragmentation. The study found that the rate of habitat destruction, rather than its extent, may be crucial in determining extinction risk.
A study found that gene UCHL1 is consistently low in replaceable neurons, associated with increased survival and reduced neuronal death. Researchers discovered UCHL1 levels increase when birds sing, suggesting a link to improved neuron replacement.
Young canaries learn atypical songs but recast them into adult canary syntax as they mature. As they approach sexual maturity, rules interfere with the freedom of youth, leading to a reprogramming of their songs.
A research team has rediscovered the ivory-billed woodpecker in the Big Woods of eastern Arkansas, with multiple sightings and frame-by-frame analyses of brief video footage. The evidence gathered during an intensive year-long search confirms that at least one male ivory-bill still survives in vast areas of bottomland swamp forest.
Independent sightings of the ivory-billed woodpecker have been reported in eastern Arkansas, with video evidence suggesting that the bird may still exist. The birds were spotted in the region's swamps and hardwood forests, where conditions are becoming increasingly favorable for population growth.
Researchers found that whooping cranes exhibit high-amplitude head movements to control their visual world while searching for food. By holding the head still more than 50% of the time, they permit close and stable examination of objects in view, allowing accurate detection, localization, and recognition of food items.
Researchers argue that a narrow focus on just a few songbird species provides a fragmentary picture of brain function. They propose studying the diversity in how birds learn to sing across different species and age groups.
A bird IQ test, developed by Dr. Lefebvre, ranks species based on their innovative feeding behaviors observed in the wild. The study found that birds with greater behavioral flexibility and larger forebrains are more successful in new environments.
A study on young zebra finches reveals that dramatic degradation in song quality occurs after waking up from sleep, only to improve with morning rehearsal. Ultimately, better singers have poorer post-sleep deterioration of song development.
Neurobiologists studying finch brains found a crucial learning circuit that generates trial and error necessary for mastering sophisticated motor skills. The region, LMAN, tunes song variations by introducing different pitches and frequencies, allowing birds to improvise and learn.