One bird"s joy is another bird"s sorrow
Ruffs are characterized by three supergene variants that lead to different appearances and courtship behavior in males. Whether these variants affect females was previously unknown. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence,.....»»
Logging and climate change threaten montane birds
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have studied the effects of forest logging and climate change on bird communities in tropical mountains, by examining over 10 years of data......»»
Feathers from deceased birds help scientists understand new threat to avian populations
As concerns over the world's declining bird population mount, animal ecologists have developed an analytical approach to better understand one of the latest threats to feathered creatures: the rise of wind and solar energy facilities......»»
Fossil birds: Surfaces of cervical vertebrae show conspicuous tubercles that may have served as "internal bony armor"
An international research team has examined unusual skeletal structures of various European bird fossils from the Eocene. The bone surfaces of the approximately 40- to 50-million-year-old cervical vertebrae show conspicuous tubercles, whose origin as.....»»
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth will make you cry tears of laughter and sorrow
Whether its tears of laughter or sorrow, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth doesn't seem like it'll leave a dry eye in the house based on what we've played so far......»»
This bird is like a GPS for honey
The honeyguide recognizes calls made by different human groups. Enlarge / A greater honeyguide (credit: Keabetswe Maposa) With all the technological advances humans have made, it may seem like we’ve lost touch with na.....»»
Avian influenza has killed millions of seabirds around the world: Antarctica could be next
Antarctica is often imagined as the last untouched wilderness. Unfortunately, avian influenza ("bird flu") is encroaching on the icy continent. The virus has already reached the sub-Antarctic islands between the Antarctic Peninsula and South America......»»
Vaccinating livestock against common diseases is a form of direct climate action, say researchers
Animal diseases have a devastating impact on livestock production. In 2022, for example, 131 million domestic poultry died or was culled as a result of avian influenza (also called "bird flu")......»»
Conservation detection dogs sniff out rare curlew nests
Once an iconic native bird ubiquitous to the Irish landscape, Europe's largest wading bird, the curlew, is now threatened with extinction and disappearing from the Irish countryside. Over the last 40 years, the number of breeding curlew has decreased.....»»
Study uncovers major hidden human-driven bird extinctions
Humans have wiped out around 1,400 bird species—twice as many as previously thought—with major implications for the ongoing biodiversity crisis, a new study has found......»»
Researchers fear the British spoken "r" is ready to roll away from the last bastion of rhoticity
How do you pronounce your "r"s towards the ends of words like Shearer, purr, nerd and pore? And what about those in car, bird and her?.....»»
Several groups of birds and mammals avoid wind turbines, finds review
While wind power is an important part of the green transition, its downsides include the disturbances caused by wind turbines in animal habitats. According to the international review of the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), many bird and m.....»»
Extremely rare half female, half male bird captured on film
A striking and extremely rare half female, half male bird has been spotted by a University of Otago zoologist......»»
Millions of birds lose precious energy due to fireworks on New Year"s Eve, research reveals
Birds are affected by the mass use of fireworks on New Year's Eve up to a distance of 10 km away. With data from weather radars and bird counts, an international team of researchers revealed how many birds take off immediately after the start of the.....»»
Seeing the forest for the birds: Ten principles for bird-friendly forestry
Most of the world's natural forests are subject to logging operations, many of which are highly detrimental to forest birds and other wildlife, and demand for timber is expected to continue to grow. Europe has the highest proportion of the world's fo.....»»
Future of 200 migratory bird species put at risk by cyclones and droughts
About 200 migratory bird species across the world—including swifts and eagles—are impacted by cyclones and droughts, and with these extreme weather events only set to worsen under a warming planet, the future of these species is at risk......»»
How bird feeders help small species fight infection
Every day, throughout the world, people put huge quantities of food out at feeding stations for birds and other wild animals......»»
Grunt or whistle: Successful honey-hunters know how to communicate with wild honey-seeking birds
In many parts of Africa, humans cooperate with a species of wax-eating bird called the greater honeyguide, Indicator indicator, which leads them to wild bees' nests with a chattering call. By using specialized sounds to communicate with each other, b.....»»
Why dozens of North American bird species are getting new names: Every name tells a story
This winter, tens of thousands of birders will survey winter bird populations for the National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count, part of an international bird census, powered by volunteers, that has taken place every year since 1900......»»
Bird behavior study finds jays jump in while crows hold out for the treat
New research has found that two similar species of birds—both capable of displaying self-control through delayed gratification—behave very differently around their favorite food when they have company......»»
Bird feeding may give humans something to chirp about
Associate professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech, Ashley Dayer is the lead author of an article published in People and Nature that argues not only for the acknowledgment of the activity's benefit to humans, bu.....»»