Birds - Science & research news

Surprising discovery in Arctic songbird may reveal how it survives challenging migrations

October 6, 2021 // 0 Comments

By K.E.D Coan, science writer Snow buntings in winter. Image: Mircea Costina/Shutterstock.com There is still much to learn about how Arctic migratory birds adjust their [...]

Bird nests attract flying insects and parasites due to higher levels of carbon dioxide

August 5, 2020 // 0 Comments

By Nora Belblidia, science writer Researchers in Spain have examined bird nests in order to understand how flying insects and parasites detect gases as a way to locate their [...]

Big brains or many babies: how birds can thrive in urban environments

March 25, 2020 // 0 Comments

Birds can thrive in cities either by having larger brains or breeding more often: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. [...]

Spot the difference: Two identical-looking bird species with very different genes

November 26, 2019 // 0 Comments

Similar birds actually diverged 500,000 years ago: Frontiers in Genetics [...]

It’s not trails that disturb forest birds, but the people on them

January 4, 2019 // 0 Comments

Image of people walking on a forest trail. Research finds that frequently used forest trails have fewer birds - even when the trails have been used for decades - showing a negative environmental impact of trails: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

Frequently used forest trails have fewer birds and not as many species - even when the trails have been used for decades: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

DNA in albatross feces reveals diet of fishery discards

October 9, 2017 // 0 Comments

Marine-fisheries-conservation-albatross-diet

A new, non-intrusive way to assess seabird diet described in Frontiers in Marine Science could help improve fisheries management and monitor marine biodiversity. [...]

House sparrow decline linked to air pollution and poor diet

October 6, 2017 // 0 Comments

City sparrows have higher levels of free-radical damage than their country cousins, especially during breeding season, finds a study in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. [...]

Birds avoid crossing roads to prevent predation

August 8, 2017 // 1 Comment

Birds can find roads challenging - they are less likely to be found next to roads and are hesitant to cross them.

Recent research, in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, demonstrates that roads can be problematic to birds, especially small, forest-dwelling species. [...]

Birds and the City

April 3, 2017 // 0 Comments

Songbirds’ innovative behavioral adaptation in urban environments has fitness costs and benefits. [...]