Spending time with offspring is critical to their survival, research shows. Read More “Darwin’s finches altering behaviors due to parasitic fly”
A male Small Ground-Finch in the Galapagos. Photo by Harold Stiver/Shutterstock
Science
Discoveries about birds, behaviors, migration, and more. Plus, Eldon Greij’s popular column, “Amazing Birds.”
New Caledonian Crows recognize the value of better tools
Valuable hooked tools more likely to be kept safe between uses. Read More “New Caledonian Crows recognize the value of better tools”
Watch a penguin’s amazing agility as it feeds on a school of fish
New footage shows a penguin repeatedly diving and twisting through schools of sardines with startling speed and agility. Read More “Watch a penguin’s amazing agility as it feeds on a school of fish”
Lead ammo stunts Bald Eagle recovery
Despite rising numbers of Bald Eagles, poisoning from eating carcasses contaminated by lead shot has reduced population growth. Read More “Lead ammo stunts Bald Eagle recovery”
Mass die-off of Magellanic Penguins occurred during 2019 heat wave
More than 350 penguins died at one breeding site, and nearly three-fourths of them were adults. Read More “Mass die-off of Magellanic Penguins occurred during 2019 heat wave”
Study suggests isolated tropical bird populations merit species status
White-crowned Manakin is not just one species, scientists find. Read More “Study suggests isolated tropical bird populations merit species status”
Lighter-colored feathers help migratory birds stay cool
The findings are a reminder of the important role of temperature and climate factors more broadly in shaping the evolution of animal coloration. Read More “Lighter-colored feathers help migratory birds stay cool”
New research: Redpoll species are all one
A ‘supergene’ controls differences in redpolls’ plumage color and morphology, researchers say. Read More “New research: Redpoll species are all one”
Evidence that birds are dinosaurs is outstandingly good
Author of book Dinopedia explains that fossil finds over the last 25 years have solidified our understanding of the bird/dinosaur connection. Read More “Evidence that birds are dinosaurs is outstandingly good”
New tanager species described from Bolivia, Peru
The species is named Inti Tanager, after the Quechua word for “sun,” because of its yellow plumage and because it occurs in open, sunny habitat. Read More “New tanager species described from Bolivia, Peru”