Articles tagged with Birds
A University of Queensland study found humans can correctly identify the emotional context of chickens' clucks, with 69% accuracy. The ability to detect emotional information from vocalisations could improve the welfare of farmed chickens.
A new study reveals that humans have driven the extinction of 1,430 bird species, with many becoming extinct before written records. The research suggests that major human-driven extinctions occurred in the 14th century and ninth century BC, with ongoing threats including climate change and invasive species.
The study found that urban design favours species with varying characteristics, with implications for ecosystem improvement and public health. Land-sparing areas support birds with short life cycles, while land-sharing areas host species with longer life cycles.
Male songbirds need daily singing to exercise their vocal muscles and produce attractive songs. Regular practice is necessary to maintain social bonds and attract females, which can also hear the difference in a male's voice after exercise.
Research reveals that an average of 1,000 times more birds are in the air close to fireworks on New Year's Eve, with effects strongest within the first 5 km. Larger birds like geese and ducks fly for hours at remarkable altitudes, risking accidents.
A research paper reveals a suburban backyard is home to 1,150 unique species of animals, plants, and fungi. The study's authors discovered unexpected diversity, including 436 moth and butterfly species, 56 spiders, and eight reptiles.
Researchers analyzed 13,000 hours of audio data from Okinawan forests before, during, and after typhoons, finding that ecosystems responded differently than expected. The study suggests that developed sites were more resilient to extreme weather than anticipated, but climate change may push these ecosystems to their limits.
Researchers found that Eurasian jays settle for less preferred food options when rivals are present, while New Caledonian crows consistently choose the better, delayed reward. The study suggests that species' social tolerance and competition levels influence self-control in animals.
Eurasian jays wait for higher-quality food when alone but choose low-quality reward with competitor birds present. Researchers studied delayed gratification in New Caledonian crows and Eurasian jays.
The study used various tests to analyze the memory performance of jackdaws, finding that their performance decreased when working memory demands increased. The researchers found that corvids, like humans, show reduced accuracy and biased representations when working memory demands are high.
Researchers have identified Australia's most hard-to-find species using over 3.8 million volunteer hours of birdwatching data, including the elusive Coxen's fig-parrot.
A new study found that urban waterfowl, including mallards and Canada geese, play a crucial role in spreading native and alien plants through seed dispersal. The birds disperse seeds for both aquatic and terrestrial plants, with mallards focusing on aquatic plants and geese on terrestrial ones.
A Cornell University study found that temperature variability, such as cold snaps and heat waves, reduces nesting success in songbirds. Nestlings are particularly vulnerable to these extremes, which can trigger mass die-offs if eggs and young birds are left exposed.
A team of researchers discovered 27 avian footprints on the southern Australia coast dating back to the Early Cretaceous period. The tracks provide evidence for early avian evolution and suggest a possible migratory route, with some tracks showing similarities to modern-day shorebirds.
A new study by University of Exeter researchers predicts which regions will be colonized by non-native birds, mammals, and plants. The study found that suitable habitats, dispersal ability, and history of introduction are key predictors of spread.
Researchers found that mothers increase egg size when they have more female helpers to feed their chicks. The study suggests that helpers allow mothers to invest more in offspring at the egg stage by lightening maternal workloads at the chick-feeding stage.
Researchers investigating sihek health have found that female birds are at greater risk for death and disease than males. The study also highlights reproductive diseases as a major threat to the species' survival, with females succumbing to these diseases more frequently.
Research by Hokkaido University's Masayo Soma found that Java sparrows show increased swelling in their eye rings when paired with a preferred mate. This change serves as a rapid indicator of mating readiness and plays a crucial role in communication between pair-bonded birds.
Researchers investigated rooster mirror self-recognition, finding that their behavior indicates recognition despite failed traditional tests. The study's results provide new insights into the cognitive ecology of mirror self-recognition in birds.
A new study has identified specific genes associated with diet and brain structure in kingfishers, which are capable of diving at high speeds. The findings suggest that these birds have evolved unique traits to protect their brains from concussive forces.
A new study reveals that periodical cicada emergences have a cascading effect on forest ecosystems, shifting bird diets and leading to increased abundance of caterpillars and subsequent leaf damage. This research has implications for bird conservation and understanding the interconnectedness of complex food webs.
Researchers analyzed over 150,000 bird nests across the U.S. and found that extreme heat diminishes reproductive success in agricultural landscapes, but forests provide shade to increase nesting success. Curtailing emissions and promoting thermal refuges are crucial for conserving birds.
Researchers used AI models to analyze animal sounds in reforested areas, finding that vocalizing species communities mirror biodiversity recovery. The study suggests potential applications for monitoring biodiversity and could lead to certifications or credits for environmental projects.
Researchers from Kobe University found that birds dispersing the eggs of eaten insects' help flightless stick insects expand their geographical range. Genetic analysis revealed a correlation between geographic distance and genetic differentiation among populations.
The American Ornithological Society (AOS) has awarded four $15,000 Kessel Fellowships to support the research of Dr. Lucia Mentesana and three others focused on conservation, behavior, evolution, and ecology. The fellowships aim to advance ornithology globally by funding innovative projects.
A recent University of Helsinki study reveals that bird communities inside and outside protected areas are converging due to climate change, posing challenges for conservation. Southern species are accelerating community-level change, spreading northward in search of suitable climates.
A new method using big data and AI models the interactions of entire ecological communities across continents, revealing patterns of biodiversity. The collaboration between Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Cornell Institute for Computational Sustainability provides vital information for conservation efforts.
In Southeast Anatolia, 11,000 years ago, early Neolithic settlers hunted a large spectrum of bird species, including small passerine birds and cranes, for meat and possibly ritual purposes. The extent of their bird-hunting activities varied between settlements, with some prioritizing certain species over others.
Researchers have extracted ancient DNA from Caribbean parrots, revealing two species were more widespread and diverse in the past. The study helps explain how parrots became the world's most endangered group of birds, with many island populations gone extinct.
New research reveals similarities between dinosaurs and birds in terms of protein composition in their feathers. Analysis of fossil feathers from Sinornithosaurus and Confuciusornis showed beta-proteins, similar to those found in modern bird feathers.
Researchers found that great-tailed grackles are expanding their range into urban and arid environments due to increased behavioral flexibility. This allows them to adapt to changing conditions and find new food sources. In contrast, boat-tailed grackles only expanded slightly northwards in response to climate change.
A new study published in Science finds that advanced vocal learners in songbirds are also superior problem solvers, with a strong correlation between the two abilities. Starlings, blue jays, and catbirds were ranked as top vocal learners, with larger brains relative to their body size found in more complex species.
A new study by Lund University reveals that disease affects blackbirds for three weeks, rather than just a day or two. The simulated bacterial infection stimulates the birds' immune system, causing them to stop their activities earlier in the evenings and have reduced daily activity periods.
The study found that rising testosterone levels trigger full song development and territorial behavior in thrush nightingales. Full songsters were never found to settle close to each other, while plastic songsters settled close to both full and plastic songsters, indicating a connection between song and territoriality.
A study found that deforestation in tropical regions destroys nesting habitats for certain bird species, limiting their reproduction. Nest boxes can provide a successful conservation strategy for these birds, particularly in agricultural lands where they are more abundant.
New research reveals that open farmlands result in up to a 60% decline in Andean bird species, with specific habitats affecting different species. Conservationists can protect birds by sparing forest fragments and maintaining shrubby habitats.
A study found that urban great tits have paler plumage than their forest-living counterparts due to inadequate carotenoid intake from city diets. Researchers suggest planting native trees and plants can help provide a healthy diet for these birds.
A new study by North Carolina State University researchers found that artificial light at night links with lower survival for two backyard bird species, the gray catbird and house wren. The study used data from a citizen-science program to investigate how light pollution affects birds' survival rates.
A new study published in the Journal of Raptor Research found that two colonies of white-rumped vultures in Nepal demonstrated stable reproductive rates over an 11-year period. The number of occupied nests and productivity appeared to be stable, indicating a potential turning point for the critically endangered species.
A 10-year study found that golden-crowned sparrows resettled an average of just 90 feet away from the center of their previous year's range when returning to California after winter migration. The study suggests that social bonds and familiar faces help anchor the birds to specific spaces, even when resources are scarce.
A recent study reveals that illegal bird shootings are now the leading cause of death for birds found dead near power lines in the western United States. Researchers analyzed 410 carcasses collected over four years and found that 66% died from being shot, surpassing electrocution as a leading cause.
Researchers developed a novel method combining satellite imagery and bioacoustic data to monitor bird species on cropfields, finding larger habitat areas and greater variety in texture are associated with more bird species overall. However, grassland birds relying solely on the habitat for their life cycle seem to benefit less.
A new study found that European breeding birds have shifted their ranges by an average of 2.4km per year over the last 30 years, but these changes were not as rapid as predicted based on climate change alone. Local factors such as habitat availability and population connectivity played a key role in determining range shifts.
Scientists will use AI-powered monitoring stations to track species populations and assess the effectiveness of agri-environment schemes in improving biodiversity. The study aims to demonstrate how different farming systems and practices affect species populations, providing crucial evidence for sustainable land management policies.
Researchers tracked eastern wild turkey nesting in five southern U.S. states over eight years, finding slight changes in nest timing linked to temperature and rainfall. However, these shifts were minimal and less than three hours, suggesting turkeys may be inflexible in their reproductive activities.
A meta-analysis reveals that birds generally have a net benefit on production for some crops by controlling pests. Non-lethal measures to deter birds are effective in reducing crop losses. The study found that around 10% of bird species consume crops, with 65% showing a positive effect on woody crop yield.
A study by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology found that great tits are struggling to adapt their breeding timing to cope with climate change, leading to a decline in population numbers. The researchers used innovative methods to speed up evolution and predict the impact of climate change on natural selection.
Researchers found no conclusive evidence of bird-honey badger cooperation in accessing honey from African bees' nests. Despite anecdotal reports, most communities surveyed denied seeing the two species interact, with only three communities in Tanzania reporting sightings.
Researchers found that precise repetition of song notes is key to attracting a female mate, while changing songs prevents habituation. A balance between consistency and diversity in birdsong may resolve the paradox of variability in singing styles.
A 225-million-year-old Brazilian fossil provides the oldest evidence of air sacs in dinosaurs, which enabled these creatures to grow into giants. The discovery sheds light on how these structures evolved over time, contradicting previous assumptions about their development.
Great tits in urban environments have lower levels of stress hormone corticosterone than those living in woodland habitats. The high cognitive capacity of the great tit allows it to adapt well to human environments, reducing stress levels.
A recent study published in Scientific Data reveals that Finland's most visually appealing bird species are colourful birds, with large birds of prey also ranking high. The top 10 most attractive species include the snowy owl and kingfisher, which receive high scores on a visual aesthetic attractiveness scale.
A new biodiversity study shows that even seemingly healthy ecosystems with increasing species numbers may already be on the path to decline and loss of species. The study's findings suggest that species richness is not a reliable metric for monitoring ecosystems, as it can mask negative trends in species extinction.
Researchers discovered that the early avian bauplan was shaped by natural selection driven by powered flight, with forelimb evolution constrained to basic 'blueprint' needed for flight. The study found avialan-like limb proportions established earlier in forelimbs than hindlimbs in theropod history.
Researchers from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Virginia Tech are teaming up with three ornithological societies to create widespread cultural change and increased inclusivity within the field of ornithology. The project aims to design affinity groups that will facilitate transformative resilience among historically marginalize...
A study found that establishing fallow land can increase the populations of farmland birds and improve biodiversity. The benefits depend on landscape complexity, particularly in regions with a moderate density of boundary lines between fields and woody structures.
A study reveals that birds in multispecies flocks from Southeast Asia converge on similar appearances, blurring species distinctions. This phenomenon may contribute to diversity by allowing birds to adapt and evolve distinct traits within a species.
The American Ornithological Society has honored outstanding contributions to the scientific study and conservation of birds with its 2023 award winners. The recipients represent collaborative work in research, conservation, publications, and service, exemplifying dedication to fostering the next generation of ornithologists.
The new CALANGO software helps untangle genetic factors associated with shared characteristics, such as antibacterial resistance and agricultural improvements. It enables scientists to explore vast amounts of genomic data across thousands of organisms.
Researchers found that black and turkey vultures ingest more plastic in landscapes with more developed landcover and higher densities of commercial food providers. They may eat plastic thinking it's nutritious bone fragments or intentionally to collect bulk for vomiting up indigestible parts of carrion.