Vegetarian birds more sociable than insect eaters
Weaver birds that eat seeds flock together and nest in colonies more commonly than those species that eat insects, suggests new research by an international team of scientists led by the Milner Center for Evolution at the University of Bath. For the.....»»
Urban light pollution linked to smaller eyes in birds: Study
The bright lights of big cities could be causing an evolutionary adaptation for smaller eyes in some birds, a new study indicates......»»
Birds’ problem-solving skills linked to song complexity
But other measures of intelligence, like learning associations, are unconnected. Enlarge / Despite the gaudy clothing, this guy is remarkably crafty. (credit: Arthur Morris) One of the ways we try to understand the origi.....»»
Clever lapwings use cover to hide in plain sight
Ground-nesting birds called lapwings use the shape of their nests and surroundings to hide from predators, new research shows......»»
For the first time, research reveals crows use statistical logic
The birds can associate images with distinct reward probabilities. Enlarge (credit: John Dreyer) Whether playing tricks, mimicking speech, or holding “funerals,” crows and ravens (collectively known as corvids) have.....»»
Light pollution threatens coastal marine systems, study suggests
Artificial light at night has a profound effect land-based life—from birds to fireflies to humans. But a new study suggests we need to widen our view to include light pollution's effect on coastal marine ecosystems, impacting everything from whales.....»»
Farms with natural landscape features provide sanctuary for some Costa Rica rainforest birds
Small farms with natural landscape features such as shade trees, hedgerows and tracts of intact forest provide a refuge for some tropical bird populations, according to an 18-year study in Costa Rica......»»
Who"s that singing? As fall migration arrives, apps that ID birds by sound have taken off
I was sitting in solitude earlier this summer in an Adirondack chair in my backyard, when I realized I wasn't as alone as I'd thought......»»
Apple Arcade is getting 4 new games and 40+ updates in September
Apple Arcade has announced September will bring four new games to the platform along with 40+ notable updates to popular games like Angry Birds Reloaded, WHAT THE CAR?, Jetpack Joyride 2, and Hello Kitty Island Adventure. more….....»»
Invasive spotted lanternfly may not damage hardwood trees as previously thought
In 2012, when the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) arrived in the U.S. from its home in China, scientists, land managers, and growers were understandably concerned that the sap-feeding insect would damage native and commercial trees. New long-.....»»
It"s a bird! No, it"s a ... moth? Heavy rainfall spurs unique insect sightings in Bay Area
A Marin County park ranger was visiting her in-laws two weeks ago when she spotted a baby hummingbird hovering over a thistle in their backyard—or so she thought......»»
New fossil species suggests tropicbirds originated in Zealandia
A team of paleontologists from the University of Canterbury has discovered a remarkably intact fossil of one of the earliest ancestors of a group of birds now restricted to the tropics. Tropicbirds, now represented by only three living species, have.....»»
Titanium micro-spikes skewer resistant superbugs
A new study suggests rough surfaces inspired by the bacteria-killing spikes on insect wings may be more effective at combating drug-resistant superbugs, including fungus, than previously understood......»»
Curious and cryptic: New leaf insects discovered
An international research team including the University of Göttingen has described seven previously unknown species of leaf insects, also known as walking leaves. The insects belong to the stick and leaf insect order, which are known for their unusu.....»»
Which radio waves disrupt the magnetic sense in migratory birds?
Many songbirds use the Earth's magnetic field as a guide during their migrations, but radio waves interfere with this ability. A new study published has found an upper bound for the frequency that disrupts the magnetic compass......»»
Study shows deforestation limits nesting habitat for cavity-nesting birds
With an extendable pole fitted with a small camera, Alison Ke could get a clear view of the inside of a nest box, including one time when a small, green Pacific parrotlet laid eggs. Ke, who earned a Ph.D. in ecology from UC Davis, led a research proj.....»»
Birds living on a university campus found to be less afraid of humans after the pandemic closure
When UCLA shifted to remote instruction during the early days of COVID-19, the campus was much less populated—but it wasn't totally empty. Several species of animals continued to go about their daily lives, just with far fewer disturbances from hum.....»»
Insecticides affect aquatic insects in unexpected ways
Pesticide pollution of streams in agricultural areas has adverse effects for stream organisms. A new study, led by researchers from the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB), provides evidence that aquatic insect larvae resp.....»»
Hundreds of Andean bird species at risk due to deforestation: New research shows how to protect them
Birds native to the tropical Andes, many of which cannot be found anywhere else, are threatened by increasing agricultural development in the region. A new study details how the resulting habitat loss affects specific species and lays out possible wa.....»»
Scientists study the evolutionary origins of coronary arteries
Coronary arteries are a vital part of the human heart, providing it with oxygen-rich blood so that it can work. By comparing the hearts of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and frogs, a multi-institutional team of researchers appears to have found evide.....»»
Wild tobacco mutants are more susceptible to insect attack but grow faster, shows study
Plants are not exposed to herbivores without defenses. When an insect feeds on a leaf, thereby wounding it and releasing oral secretions, a signaling cascade is elicited in the plant, usually starting with a rapid increase in the amount of the plant.....»»