How Do Birds Know When to Migrate?
Lengthening days set off a cascade of events in migratory birds that culminates in the birth of a clutch of chicks.....»»
The genetic underpinnings of plumage for Eurasian white wagtails
For birds, simple does not always equal simple—and that difference can create interesting variations in plumage, according to new findings from University of Colorado Boulder researchers and their colleagues......»»
Warming climate slows tropical birds" population growth rates
The mountain forests of Tanzania are more than 9,300 miles away from Salt Lake City, Utah. But, as in eastern Africa, the wild places of Utah depend on a diversity of birds to spread seeds, eat pests and clean up carrion. Birds keep ecosystems health.....»»
Tracing malaria"s ecology using blood samples from birds
Malaria is the deadliest pathogen in human history. Nearly half the people on Earth are at risk of contracting the disease from the parasites that cause it. But humans aren't the only ones who can get these parasites—different forms are found in ot.....»»
Energy company to breed endangered California condors to replace birds killed by turbine blades
They are among the top goals of California environmentalists: preserving endangered species and replacing fossil fuels with clean energy......»»
Masters of mimicry, male lyrebirds use their skill to deceive potential mates
When birds see a predator in their midst, one defensive strategy is to call out loudly, attracting other birds of the same or different species to do the same. Sometimes individuals within this 'mobbing flock' will fly over or at the predator or atta.....»»
Scientists find strongest evidence yet of "migration gene"
A team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Cardiff University say they have found the strongest evidence yet of a "migration gene" in birds......»»
Researchers offer new insights on bird migration
During their seasonal migration, birds typically travel between breeding and non-breeding grounds along migratory routes grouped into major flyways, such as the Indo-European flyway between Europe and the Indian subcontinent. In a new study published.....»»
Coffee for the birds: Connecting bird-watchers with shade-grown coffee
Since 1970, bird populations in North America have declined by approximately 2.9 billion birds, a loss of more than one in four birds. Factors in this decline include habitat loss and ecosystem degradation from human actions on the landscape......»»
Improving water quality could help conserve insectivorous birds
A new study shows that a widespread decline in abundance of emergent insects—whose immature stages develop in lakes and streams while the adults live on land—can help to explain the alarming decline in abundance and diversity of aerial insectivor.....»»
Zebra finches choose nest materials based on past experience, new research shows
When building a nest, previous experience raising chicks will influence the choices birds make, according to a new study by University of Alberta scientists......»»
Bats, birds among wildlife pummeled during Southern freeze
As many people in the southern U.S. hosted neighbors who had no heat or water during the vicious February storm and deep freeze, Kate Rugroden provided a refuge for shell-shocked bats......»»
Dynamics of nanoparticles using a new isolated lymphatic vessel lumen perfusion system
Nanoparticles used in drug delivery systems, bioimaging, and regenerative medicine migrate from tissues to lymphatic vessels after entering the body, so it is necessary to clarify the interaction between nanoparticles and lymphatic vessels. Although.....»»
Migratory birds track climate across the year
As climate change takes hold across the Americas, some areas will get wetter, and others will get hotter and drier. A new study of the yellow warbler, a widespread migratory songbird, shows that individuals have the same climatic preferences across t.....»»
Is odor the secret to bats" sex appeal?
When falling in love, humans often pay attention to looks. Many non-human animals also choose a sexual partner based on appearance. Male birds may sport flashy feathers to attract females, lionesses prefer lions with thicker manes and colorful male g.....»»
Birds use massive magnetic maps to migrate—some could cover the whole world
Every year, billions of songbirds migrate thousands of miles between Europe and Africa—and then repeat that same journey again, year after year, to nest in exactly the same place that they chose on their first great journey......»»
Higher elevation birds sport thicker down "jackets" to survive the cold
Feathers are a sleek, intricate evolutionary innovation that makes flight possible for birds, but in addition to their stiff, aerodynamic feathers used for flight, birds also keep a layer of soft, fluffy down feathers between their bodies and their o.....»»
Birds can "read" the Earth"s magnetic signature well enough to get back on course
Birdwatchers get very excited when a 'rare' migratory bird makes landfall having been blown off-course and flown beyond its normal range. But these are rare for a reason; most birds that have made the journey before are able to correct for large disp.....»»
Using genetic sequencing to determine if bird and mammal brains work the same
A team of researchers from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the University of California–San Francisco and the University of Texas has used genetic sequencing to compare the brains of birds and mammals. They've published their results in the jo.....»»
"Swirlonic" super particles baffle physicists
In recent years, active, self-propelled particles have received growing interest amongst the scientific community. Examples of active particles and their systems are numerous and very diverse, ranging from bacterium films to flocks of birds or human.....»»
Gulls: Sentinels of bacteria in the environment
Gulls are one of the main wild birds that act as reservoirs of Campylobacter and Salmonella, two most relevant intestinal antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing gastroenteritis in humans. Therefore, according to an article published in the journal Sci.....»»