Researchers found that pelicans primarily eat native fish species like Utah sucker and chub, with only a small percentage of cutthroat trout consumed. This discovery provides managers with more insight into the ecological dynamics of the reservoir, allowing them to focus on other factors impacting trout populations.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis found that birds with bigger brains relative to their bodies reduced their body size by only about one-third compared to smaller-brained birds. This suggests that cognitive power may play a role in helping certain species adapt to climate change.
Researchers found that migratory birds, such as bar-tailed godwits and whimbrels, can fly for up to 9 days at a time, more efficiently than previously thought. The birds also demonstrate exceptional meteorological knowledge, adapting their routes to weather systems over long distances.
A recent Penn State survey found that most respondents strongly support bird conservation, but are largely unaware of the current state of bird populations in Pennsylvania. The study revealed significant misconceptions about bird populations and their decline over the past 50 years.
Researchers found that migratory bird species tend to be lighter colored than non-migratory species, reducing the risk of overheating during extreme journeys. The study's findings suggest that lighter plumage coloration helps birds absorb less heat and stay cooler in the hot sun.
Researchers found that males and females have different heat-sensing systems, which may be related to reproduction and offspring care. This difference leads to segregation between the sexes at certain periods during breeding cycles.
Researchers tracked five species of large land birds flying nonstop over the open ocean, exploiting wind and uplift conditions to save energy. The study reveals that many land birds rely on atmospheric support to complete their migrations, making them vulnerable to climate change.
Researchers have identified global hotspots where bird malaria is spreading rapidly, with significant impacts on bird populations. The study found that climate and forest conditions play a crucial role in predicting infection risks, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect bird species from this deadly disease.
Great snipes and great reed warblers have been found to fly at much higher altitudes during the day than at night, with one bird reaching an altitude of 8,700 meters. This pattern may be a general trait among migratory birds, which could help explain their behavior and migration patterns.
Research reveals that cocoa agroforestry systems can support diverse bird populations by maintaining canopy cover from native trees. Intensified, low-shade cocoa monocultures lead to sharp declines in bird diversity. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable agroforestry practices to conserve habitats and biodiversity.
Researchers discover that cryptochrome 4, found in birds' retinas, is sensitive to magnetic fields and could be the long-sought magnetic sensor. The team deciphered the mechanism behind this sensitivity, which arises from electrons moving within the molecule after blue-light activation.
A recently discovered letter by Albert Einstein discusses a link between physics and biology, suggesting new discoveries could come from studying animal senses. Researchers have now found that recent studies on migratory birds support Einstein's thinking, which was first proposed 72 years ago.
Research published in Ibis found that call rates of migratory birds were significantly higher in urban areas compared to villages, indicating a impact of artificial light on bird migration. The study suggests that improved management of urban lighting is necessary to mitigate this effect.
The Bornean subspecies of Rajah scops owl may be its own unique species and deserving of a conservation designation. Researchers recommend nocturnal surveys to study habitat, record vocalizations, and collect blood or feather samples to resolve the taxonomic relationship.
Researchers used weather radar to create a forecasting system for nocturnal bird migration in the US, finding that just 10 nights of action can reduce risk by 50% for avian migrants passing over an area. This data enables more 'mindful' approaches to protect migrating birds from threats like light pollution and collisions with structures.
A new NASA-funded project aims to understand the effects of cities as ecological traps for migrating birds. Researchers will use radar data and community science tools to count up to 1.1 million birds in urban areas, measuring their behavior and impact on populations.
Researchers at Bangor University discovered that birds displaced beyond their normal migratory route can still use the Earth's magnetic signature to find their way back, a feat known as true navigation. The Eurasian reed warbler was found to be able to extrapolate its position from magnetic signals even when far beyond familiar territory.
A new study from Cornell University confirms that most birds synchronize their migrations with seasonal vegetation changes, but carnivores and insect-eaters show weaker ties. Climate change threatens these patterns as vegetation cues become less reliable.
A new study reveals that European migratory bird populations are most affected by changes in climate on breeding grounds, while land cover changes have a greater impact on their migration routes. The research highlights the importance of considering multiple factors in conservation efforts to mitigate population declines.
A doctoral student at Virginia Tech has been awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to research how migratory birds transmit diseases and carry pathogens. She aims to screen birds for various diseases in Trinidad and Virginia, determining which vectors and viruses are introduced during the winter months.
Researchers tracked the migration routes of little ringed plovers, a freshwater wader species, covering 3,108-4,226km over 32-136 days. The study found rice paddy fields to be their preferred wintering sites, with increased reliance during non-breeding seasons.
A study published in the journal Science reveals that US and Canadian bird populations declined by 29% between 1970 and 2020, with losses across diverse groups of birds and habitats. The results show pervasive declines among common birds across all habitats, including backyard birds.
A new study identifies a crucial stopover region in southern Mexico and Guatemala where songbirds fuel up before crossing the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers found that birds preparing for migration spend most of their time in this region to build energy reserves.
A new study proposes a blueprint for conserving habitat across the Western Hemisphere to protect migratory birds. The research uses eBird data to calculate how much land must be conserved for each species, finding that working lands are more efficient than protected areas.
A new analysis of 40 years of bird collision data reveals that nocturnal flight calls increase building collisions among migrating birds, especially in areas with artificial light. The study suggests that the faint chirps may lure other nearby birds to their death.
Scientists at Cornell Lab of Ornithology used data on 77 North American migratory bird species to predict that climate change will lead to unpredictable ecosystem disruption. By the middle of the next century, migratory birds will experience novel climates during all phases of their annual life cycles.
A new study provides the first survival estimates for small migratory birds crossing the Gulf of Mexico, revealing that fatter birds and stronger tailwinds significantly increase their chances of survival. By understanding these factors, conservation efforts can be implemented to improve birds' ability to cross the Gulf.
A study found that spring is arriving early in 76% of US National Wildlife Refuges, but not uniformly across migratory bird routes. The team's analysis suggests that higher latitudes are advancing more rapidly than lower latitudes, threatening the synchronization of species with their habitats.
A recent study found the Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus in ticks collected from migrating birds in the Mediterranean basin. The discovery suggests that birds may contribute to the spread of the virus to new geographical areas. Continuing surveillance is essential to understand the ecology of the virus and prevent its potential spread.
Researchers at Lund University found that migratory birds have a less variable immune system than sedentary birds, possibly due to the reduced diversity of pathogens in their breeding grounds. This adaptation could provide a survival advantage, as dealing with multiple pathogens is often difficult for birds when they first encounter them.
Research predicts that climate change will disrupt the fueling-up stage of migratory birds in late summer, threatening their survival. The study used bird observations from eBird to identify locations and times when populations may be at risk under future climate change.
Migratory birds use a light-dependent protein called cryptochrome 4 to navigate, which is specifically expressed in the outer segment of double-cone photoreceptor cells. This discovery provides new insights into magnetoreception and could help protect wildlife from human disturbances.
Researchers found that migratory birds prefer fields with cover crops like cereal rye, providing a safe area to escape predators and increasing insect abundance. This leads to improved bird habitat and increased fueling time for migrants.
University of Delaware doctoral student Desiree Narango found that native trees are better at providing caterpillars for birds, which is a crucial food resource. In contrast, non-native plants offer little to no resources for breeding birds.
Researchers found that non-migratory birds like zebra finches utilize a built-in magnetic compass to orient themselves using the Earth's magnetic field. The study suggests that this mechanism is more general and not specific to migration.
Researchers found that barnacle geese cannot accurately anticipate climate change due to the unpredictability of polar region warming. The birds' reproductive success will be reduced if they continue to mistime their arrival at breeding grounds, despite some compensation from a longer breeding season and smarter migration strategies.
A University of Guelph study suggests that conditions in wintering grounds are key factors affecting songbird population numbers during spring and summer breeding seasons. Warmer wintering grounds improve overall survival, but predictions of climate change may lead to new threats.
Researchers tracked three migratory bird species and found they adjust their routes to match future changes in food availability. By 2080, climate change may make it challenging for birds to find sufficient resources, posing a threat to their survival.
Researchers at Utah State University have developed a new tool to help wetland managers create healthier, more productive wetlands. The computer model suggests altering water levels in individual diked wetland units and focusing on invasive plant control at a specific time of year.
Researchers found that Manx shearwaters suffered decreased breeding success when they had to spend more time rearing chicks, leading to delayed migration and reduced resting time. This study provides insights into the consequences of carry-over effects on migratory birds' annual cycles.
A new study predicts that climate change will restrict migratory birds to small islands in the Arctic Ocean as they retreat north, leading to declines in hard-hit regions and changes in migration pathways.
Research found that species with diverse migration patterns are less likely to decline, while those funneling into smaller areas are more vulnerable. Partial migrants, like Blackbirds and Robins, showed greater resilience to human impacts.
A new study reveals that just 9% of migratory birds have adequate protection across their migration cycle. Many species face declining numbers over the past 30 years, emphasizing the need for improved conservation efforts.
A new study highlights huge gaps in the conservation of migratory birds, particularly across China, India, and parts of Africa and South America. More than half of migratory bird species have suffered serious population declines over the past 30 years.
A new study shows that cuckoos use a highly complex individual decision-making process to navigate during migration. The birds can assess advantages and disadvantages of different routes, adjusting their behavior based on health, age, experience, or personality traits.
A Dartmouth-led study finds that black-throated blue warblers can adjust their breeding time to avoid phenological mismatches caused by climate warming. The birds' flexibility allows them to optimize reproductive success, but this resilience may have limits as warming continues.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology found that birds can save energy and time by using optimal wind conditions. They calculated global aerial flyways that allow efficient traveling, suggesting a new strategy for migratory birds to reduce travel time and increase reproductive output.
Researchers found exotic ticks carrying disease-causing bacteria on thousands of migratory birds arriving in the US each spring. The estimated 19 million exotic ticks introduced annually pose a potential threat to the ecosystem and human health.
A new study reveals that shorebird species employ distinct strategies to cope with raptor predation. Early-migrating species cut short their breeding seasons to minimize risk, while later-migrators do not need to shorten theirs. This complex decision process allows shorebirds to optimize their survival and reproductive success.
A new study by University of Chicago researchers found that long-distance migration in New World birds evolved from ancestral species in North America. Contrary to previous hypotheses, the team discovered that shifts southward were more common than northward movements.
A new study published in PNAS suggests that migratory birds evolved from species that lived year-round in North America. Researchers created a model to analyze the evolutionary changes of migratory bird species and found that most species originated from temperate regions before migrating to tropical areas.
A new study found that migratory birds are responsible for spreading plant species across the Americas, with seeds trapped in their feathers offering clues to plant distribution between hemispheres. The research provides critical insight into the ecology and evolution of plants represented across both continents.
A team of researchers found that migratory birds carry small plant fragments, including mosses and spores, on their feathers, which can be used to establish new plant populations. This discovery suggests that birds may play a role in the long-distance dispersal of plants.
Researchers discovered that migratory birds carrying ticks can transmit Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever to new areas in southern Europe. The study found one bird species, the woodchat shrike, was a carrier of virus-infected ticks.
Researchers found that migratory birds have smaller brains than resident birds, contrary to the protective brain theory. The study suggests that migrating reduces energetic and cognitive costs, making brain size an adaptation for survival.
Research on blackcap birds found that strong directional selection for lower migratory activity leads to the evolution of partial migratory populations and finally, to non-migratory birds. This reduction in migration distance saves energy and time, allowing birds to occupy better breeding territories and produce multiple broods.
Certain bird species prefer darkly colored fruits, which are found to have higher antioxidant levels than lighter-colored fruits. These antioxidant-rich foods may help birds combat stress and inflammation during long migrations.
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island have found that migratory birds prefer certain fruits rich in antioxidants and pigments. This study may provide insights into how humans can prevent disease through diet. The discovery highlights a potential partnership between plants and birds, where berries are eaten and seeds are dispersed.
Researchers discovered a magnetometer system in the upper beak of birds, composed of over 500 dendrites that encode the magnetic field information. This system helps birds create a magnetic map for spatial orientation, contradicting previous myths about iron-based magnetoreception.
Migratory birds prefer smaller, protected areas over large forest patches for rest stops and food, according to a Purdue University study. Small woodlots can provide essential refuges for birds vulnerable to predators in open habitats.