Why Is the Kiwi's Egg So Big?
(audubon.org)
The flightless kiwi is so unbirdlike that many biologists call it an “honorary mammal.”
The flightless kiwi is so unbirdlike that many biologists call it an “honorary mammal.”
Hooded pitohui, one of the only toxic birds
(australiangeographic.com.au)
This is one of the only known birds to be toxic. Its feathers contain one of the most potent toxins known to science – but why?
This is one of the only known birds to be toxic. Its feathers contain one of the most potent toxins known to science – but why?
New study of birds shows citizen science can be trusted
(ucdavis.edu)
Platforms such as iNaturalist and eBird encourage people to observe and document nature, but how accurate is the ecological data that they collect?
Platforms such as iNaturalist and eBird encourage people to observe and document nature, but how accurate is the ecological data that they collect?
Bird Went Extinct and Then Evolved into Existence Again
(vice.com)
The Aldabra white-throated rail, a flightless bird that lives on its namesake atoll in the Indian Ocean, doesn’t look like anything special at first glance. But the small bird has big bragging rights, because it has effectively evolved into existence twice after first going extinct some 136,000 years ago.
The Aldabra white-throated rail, a flightless bird that lives on its namesake atoll in the Indian Ocean, doesn’t look like anything special at first glance. But the small bird has big bragging rights, because it has effectively evolved into existence twice after first going extinct some 136,000 years ago.
How to Recognize Woodpeckers by Their Drumming Sounds
(allaboutbirds.org)
One of the first indications of springtime in North America is the rat-a-tat sound of woodpeckers drumming.
One of the first indications of springtime in North America is the rat-a-tat sound of woodpeckers drumming.
Intelligence Evolved at Least Twice in Vertebrate Animals
(quantamagazine.org)
Humans tend to put our own intelligence on a pedestal. Our brains can do math, employ logic, explore abstractions and think critically. But we can’t claim a monopoly on thought. Among a variety of nonhuman species known to display intelligent behavior, birds have been shown time and again to have advanced cognitive abilities.
Humans tend to put our own intelligence on a pedestal. Our brains can do math, employ logic, explore abstractions and think critically. But we can’t claim a monopoly on thought. Among a variety of nonhuman species known to display intelligent behavior, birds have been shown time and again to have advanced cognitive abilities.
Parrots and humans share a brain mechanism for speech
(sciencenews.org)
When it comes to speech, parrots have the gift of gab. And the way the brains of small parrots known as budgerigars bestow this gift is remarkably similar to human speech, researchers report March 19 in Nature.
When it comes to speech, parrots have the gift of gab. And the way the brains of small parrots known as budgerigars bestow this gift is remarkably similar to human speech, researchers report March 19 in Nature.
The Hole Story: How Woodpeckers Make Homes for the Rest of the Forest
(allaboutbirds.org)
Woodpecker nest holes are valuable pieces of real estate that may be used by hundreds of other species over many years. Researchers are using the concept of "nest webs" to understand how this valuable resource passes from one owner to the next.
Woodpecker nest holes are valuable pieces of real estate that may be used by hundreds of other species over many years. Researchers are using the concept of "nest webs" to understand how this valuable resource passes from one owner to the next.
A Few of the Birds I Love
(wordpress.com)
Whenever you feel that there is no joy in the world, you must go to a place with swallows. Few things are more euphoric than a swallow in flight.
Whenever you feel that there is no joy in the world, you must go to a place with swallows. Few things are more euphoric than a swallow in flight.
Flashy exotic birds can glow in the dark
(arstechnica.com)
Found in the forests of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Eastern Australia, birds of paradise are famous for flashy feathers and unusually shaped ornaments, which set the standard for haute couture among birds.
Found in the forests of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Eastern Australia, birds of paradise are famous for flashy feathers and unusually shaped ornaments, which set the standard for haute couture among birds.
Birds have developed complex brains independently from mammals
(phys.org)
Two studies published in the latest issue of Science have revealed that birds, reptiles, and mammals have developed complex brain circuits independently, despite sharing a common ancestor.
Two studies published in the latest issue of Science have revealed that birds, reptiles, and mammals have developed complex brain circuits independently, despite sharing a common ancestor.
Let's talk about bird tongues (2014)
(toughlittlebirds.com)
You don’t have to look at many birds to realize that they are very variable in appearance: hawks look different from hummingbirds, and both look different from peacocks. You can spend a lot of time looking at birds, though, before you realize that they are hiding a lot of variation inside their mouths: long tongues, short tongues, spiky tongues, curly tongues, forked tongues, frayed tongues, brush-like tongues.
You don’t have to look at many birds to realize that they are very variable in appearance: hawks look different from hummingbirds, and both look different from peacocks. You can spend a lot of time looking at birds, though, before you realize that they are hiding a lot of variation inside their mouths: long tongues, short tongues, spiky tongues, curly tongues, forked tongues, frayed tongues, brush-like tongues.
Bird Buddy Launches 'Wonder' Camera for Watching Insects
(macrumors.com)
The creators of Bird Buddy, a camera-equipped bird feeder, today showed off two products that are designed for watching insects, flowers, birds, and other flora and fauna.
The creators of Bird Buddy, a camera-equipped bird feeder, today showed off two products that are designed for watching insects, flowers, birds, and other flora and fauna.
Oldest known wild bird lays egg at 74
(bbc.co.uk)
The world's oldest known wild bird has laid an egg at the approximate age of 74, US biologists say.
The world's oldest known wild bird has laid an egg at the approximate age of 74, US biologists say.
Bird brain from the age of dinosaurs reveals roots of avian intelligence
(cam.ac.uk)
A ‘one of a kind’ fossil discovery could transform our understanding of how the unique brains and intelligence of modern birds evolved, one of the most enduring mysteries of vertebrate evolution.
A ‘one of a kind’ fossil discovery could transform our understanding of how the unique brains and intelligence of modern birds evolved, one of the most enduring mysteries of vertebrate evolution.
Listening in on the Mysterious Marbled Murrelet
(hakaimagazine.com)
The marbled murrelet is an elusive creature. At sea, the stubby seabird dives at the first sign of predators. On land, it lays its eggs high in the mossy branches of the Pacific Northwest’s old-growth forests—a fact only serendipitously discovered by a utility-company employee climbing trees in the 1970s.
The marbled murrelet is an elusive creature. At sea, the stubby seabird dives at the first sign of predators. On land, it lays its eggs high in the mossy branches of the Pacific Northwest’s old-growth forests—a fact only serendipitously discovered by a utility-company employee climbing trees in the 1970s.