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.....»»
How large turkey vultures remain aloft in thin air
Mountain hikes are invigorating. Crisp air and clear views can refresh the soul, but thin air presents an additional challenge for high-altitude birds. "All else being equal, bird wings produce less lift in low density air," says Jonathan Rader from.....»»
Scientists using new sound tech to save animals from extinction
Research, conducted by The University of Warwick and the University of New South Wales in Australia, analyzes animal sounds from endangered species including types of elephants, whales and birds......»»
Mass extinction 66 million years ago triggered rapid evolution of bird genomes, study finds
Shortly after an asteroid slammed into Earth 66 million years ago, life for non-avian dinosaurs ended, but the evolutionary story for the early ancestors of birds began......»»
Researchers explore cancer susceptibility in birds
In one of the largest studies of cancer susceptibility across bird species, researchers at Arizona State University describe an intriguing relationship between reproductive rates and cancer susceptibility......»»
Invasive insect herbivore alters ecosystem services delivered by cycads
A study published in the June 2024 issue of the journal Pedosphere looks at how a non-native armored scale insect alters the leaf litter decomposition dynamics of the novel host cycad species on newly invaded islands. The scale insect, known as cycad.....»»
Plants" hidden allies: Root microbiota fight back against leaf-mining flies
Plants encounter various biotic stresses, with insect herbivory being particularly destructive. Traditional chemical insecticides used to combat these pests pose environmental and health risks......»»
Birds of a feather flock together but great white sharks have swum apart "forever"
Great white sharks separated into three distinct population groups up to 200,000 years ago and continue to mix only within these separate groups, new research has found......»»
Winter breeding offers lifeline for monarch butterflies in Northern California
Monarch butterflies in Northern California are adapting to a changing climate by embracing an unexpected strategy: breeding in the winter. The shift could be key to the survival of the iconic insect, according to a new study published in the Journal.....»»
Ghosts of species past: Shedding new light on the demise of NZ"s moa can help other flightless birds
New Zealand was once home to giant flightless birds called moa. They had grown accustomed to life without predators. So the arrival of humans in the mid-13th century presented a massive—and ultimately insurmountable—challenge to their existence......»»
Scientists figure out why there are so many colorful birds in the tropics and how these colors spread over time
The color palette of the birds you see out your window depends on where you live. If you're far from the Equator, most birds tend to have drab colors, but the closer you are to the tropics, you'll probably see more and more colorful feathers......»»
When it comes to butterflies, people prefer pretty ones: That"s a problem for scientists.
Research shows humans often perceive attractive people as more intelligent, healthier, better leaders and more trustworthy. It turns out this bias extends to the insect world......»»
From trash to treasure: Machine learning enhances organic waste recycling
Biological treatment methods such as anaerobic digestion, composting, and insect farming are essential for managing organic waste, converting it into valuable resources like biogas and organic fertilizers. However, these processes often face challeng.....»»
Want to cook like a Neanderthal? Archaeologists are learning the secrets
There were distinct patterns of cut marks, bone breakage in cooked vs. uncooked birds. Enlarge / A scientist defeathers one of the birds used in hands-on experiments to replicate Neanderthal butchering and cooking methods. (cred.....»»
Scientists try to replicate ancient butchering methods to learn how Neanderthals ate birds
It's hard to know what Neanderthals ate: food preparation, especially when it comes to smaller items like birds, can leave few archaeological traces. But understanding their diets is critical to understanding these incredibly adaptable hominins, who.....»»
Counter-drug strategies in Central America are worsening deforestation, threatening many species of birds
Activities associated with cocaine trafficking threaten two-thirds of the most important landscapes in Central America for 196 forest bird species, including 67 migratory species. This is the key takeaway from a study that colleagues and I published.....»»
Lethal bird flu could decimate Oceania"s birds—from vigilance to vaccines, here"s what Australia is doing to prepare
Avian influenza viruses have infected the world's birds for millennia. We first became aware of them in the 19th century, when mass deaths of poultry triggered interest in what was then called "fowl plague.".....»»
Insect pests study finds public surveillance is critical to early detection
A new study from the University of Maryland identifies key patterns and factors influencing insect pest establishment and detection across the U.S. and suggests public surveillance awareness and involvement is a critical component of efforts to prote.....»»
Insect infestation ravages North African prickly pear
Amor Nouira, a farmer in Tunisia's Chebika village, has lost hope of saving his prickly pear cacti, ravaged by the cochineal insect spreading across North Africa......»»
Stepping stones for wildlife: How linking up isolated habitats can help nature thrive in our cities
Imagine you're a fairywren living in a patch of scrub behind a schoolyard in the suburbs. It's been pretty nice so far, but a recent increase in neighborhood cats and the council's insect control tactics mean it's time to look for somewhere safer to.....»»
Researchers see lower meat consumption after veggie month at student canteen
What effect does a vegan/vegetarian month have on a student canteen? For this experiment, the Studierendenwerk Bonn sought scientific support from researchers at the Universities of Bonn and Kassel. They found that the impact could still be felt up t.....»»