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,.....»»
New deadly bird flu cases reported in Iowa, joining 3 other states as disease resurfaces
Two commercial turkey farms in Iowa have been hit by the reemerging highly pathogenic bird flu, causing about 100,000 birds to be killed to prevent the disease from spreading......»»
Q&A: Do we need a new approach to prevent bird window strikes?
In early October, nearly 1,000 birds perished after colliding with the windows of a convention center near Lake Michigan in Chicago, marking the largest mass bird die-off in decades. But bird window-strike fatalities are an ongoing threat. Illinois N.....»»
First confirmed cases of avian influenza in the Antarctic region
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in brown skua populations on Bird Island, South Georgia—the first known cases in the Antarctic region......»»
Why you should count your chickens (and kookaburras, lorikeets or other backyard birds)
This year is the tenth annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count, which Professor Simon Griffith says highlights the important role citizen science projects play in our understanding of changes taking place in our world......»»
Heat waves harm bird reproduction on agricultural lands, research suggests
Bird populations are in rapid decline across North America. While climate change is just one of the many factors influencing North American birds, its effects are significant and can interact with other stressors, such as habitat loss. A team of Univ.....»»
Current bird flu epidemic found to have originated in Europe and Africa
An international team of biologists, public health specialists and infectious disease experts reports that the current near-global bird flu epidemic has its roots in Europe and Africa. In their study, published in the journal Nature, the group analyz.....»»
House of Marley’s new earbuds make sustainability more affordable
House of Marley has always been big on eco-friendly designs, but the Little Bird wireless earbuds break new ground on affordability......»»
These Gene-Edited Chickens Were Made to Resist Bird Flu
Avian influenza can wipe out entire poultry flocks. An early experiment with Crispr suggests that gene editing can protect chickens against infection......»»
Mimicking a bird"s sticky spit to create cellulose gels
Using a small bird's nest-making process as a model, researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a nontoxic process for making cellulose gels. The freeze-thaw process is simple, cost-effective, and can create cellulose gels that a.....»»
Solar Storms Can Hinder Bird Migration
New research suggests that solar storms interfere with the magnetic compass that birds use for long-distance travel.....»»
Gene-edited chickens in the fight against bird flu
Scientists have used gene editing techniques to identify and change parts of chicken DNA that could limit the spread of the bird flu virus in the animals......»»
Space weather disrupts nocturnal bird migration, study finds
It's well-known that birds and other animals rely on Earth's magnetic field for long-distance navigation during seasonal migrations......»»
Vaccine may save endangered California condors from succumbing to bird flu
Avian flu vaccines are being used on birds for the first time in the US. Enlarge / A numbered and tagged California Condor in the wild. (credit: Educational Images via Getty) Early March last year, an endangered Californ.....»»
Bewick"s swans choose wintering areas based on the weather, shows long-term GPS data study
Bewick's swans fly less far during their autumn migration when the weather is warm. Climate change has therefore led to a shift in their common wintering areas. Now, for the first time, bird researchers from the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and the.....»»
It wasn"t just a tree: Why it feels so bad to lose the iconic Sycamore Gap tree and others like it
The famous Sycamore Gap tree was felled last week, prompting global expressions of sorrow, anger and horror. For some, the reaction was puzzling. Wasn't it just a single tree in northern England? But for many, the tree felt profoundly important. Its.....»»
Ruffed grouse population more resilient than expected, genetic study finds
Despite decades of decline, a genetic analysis of ruffed grouse reveals that Pennsylvania's state bird harbors more genetic diversity and connectivity than expected. The findings suggest that the iconic game bird could be maintained in persistent num.....»»
AI analyzes bird sightings to help conserve species
For the first time, big data and artificial intelligence are being used to model hidden patterns in nature—not just for one bird species, but for entire ecological communities across continents......»»
Bird species changing faster than expected in protected areas
A recent study by University of Helsinki researchers has found that bird communities inside and outside protected areas are beginning to resemble each other as a result of climate change. In both areas, southern species increased in abundance, while.....»»
"Invasion" of tropical birds known as limpkins reported in Illinois—invasive snails may be attractive food source
While on a recent visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden, Ann Harness spotted a creature she'd never seen before. The tall brown bird with a long bill looked like a cross between a rail and a heron......»»
Research: Electrons in a strange metal world
Imagine a flock of birds as they wheel across the sky: surging into a mass, flowing into ribbons that twist and turn again into fantastic shapes. If you follow one bird within the flock, you can describe its actions, the way it flaps its wings or use.....»»