Discovering the Hidden Species Among Giant Hummingbirds
Researchers at the University of New Mexico have documented the extreme migration of giant hummingbirds, uncovering their journey over 13,000 feet to the high Andes…
Ornithology News
Ornithology is the scientific study of birds, encompassing aspects of their biology, behavior, ecology, evolution, and conservation. This branch of zoology examines the wide variety of bird species, from tiny hummingbirds to large flightless ostriches, exploring their diverse adaptations to environments across the world. Ornithologists study various aspects of avian life including their physiology, genetic makeup, migratory patterns, vocalizations, and interactions within ecosystems. This field is crucial for understanding the roles that birds play in natural systems, such as their contributions to pollination and seed dispersal, as well as their use as indicators of environmental health. Additionally, ornithology is important for conservation efforts, helping to protect bird species and their habitats, especially as many face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and pollution. Birdwatching also serves as a popular recreational activity that fosters public interest and participation in bird conservation and research.
Mini Backpacks Reveal New Giant Hummingbird Species
Researchers at UNM identified a new species of giant hummingbird that migrates between Chile and Peru, revealing its migration routes and genetic distinctiveness through innovative…
Melodic Muscles: The Impact of Daily Singing on Songbird Attractiveness
Research on songbirds demonstrates the critical need for daily singing to maintain vocal muscle strength and attractiveness, with implications for human vocal training and speech…
1,000 Birds Perish in Chicago Collision Catastrophe: Light Pollution’s Deadly Impact on Migrating Birds
A catastrophic event in Chicago, where 1,000 migrating birds died due to collisions with an illuminated building, underscores the dangers of light pollution. A study…
Songbird Nesting Under Threat: Climate-Driven Temperature Extremes
Nestlings are the most vulnerable to temperature extremes Many songbirds are nesting earlier in spring because of warmer temperatures brought about by climate change. But…
Friendship, Food, and Feathers: Jackdaws Switch Friends To Gain Rewards – But Stick With Family
Jackdaws, when faced with rewards, adjust their friendships but remain loyal to family, shedding light on animal social behaviors and the evolution of intelligence. Jackdaws…
Australia’s Rarest Bird of Prey Is Facing Extinction
Australia’s rarest bird of prey — the red goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiatus) — is facing extinction, with Cape York Peninsula now the only place in Queensland…
Crucial New Insights Into Survival of the Critically Endangered Kākāpō Parrot
A new study published in PeerJ Life & Environment has provided crucial insights into the factors that affect the fertility of the critically endangered kakapo,…
Personality and Divorce: Breakups Are More Common in Albatross Couples With Shy Males
In a long-studied population of wandering albatrosses, females are less likely to stick with a shy mate. The wandering albatross is the poster bird for…
Highly Threatened New Species of Owl Discovered in the Rainforests of Príncipe Island, Central Africa
A new species of owl has just been described from Príncipe Island, an island lying off the west coast of Central Africa that is part…
Hubble Space Telescope Goes Galactic Birdwatching
This image from the Hubble Space Telescope shows the barred spiral galaxy NGC 7496, which lies over 24 million light-years away from Earth in the…
For Female Yellowthroats, Beauty Isn’t Just Skin Deep
For female yellowthroats, there’s more than one way to spot a winning mate. For female common yellowthroats, beauty isn’t just skin – or features –…
Variations in Earth’s Magnetic Inclination Are “Stop Signs” for Migrating Songbird
Informing how birds know when and where to stop migrating, researchers using nearly a century’s worth of data report that the Eurasian reed warbler –…
Magnetic Navigation: A Stop Sign for Songbirds During Migration
A new study published on January 27, 2022) in Science Magazine has shed light on how birds navigate back to their breeding site after flying…
Migratory Birds Have Lighter-Colored Feathers – Here’s the Evolutionary Explanation
Migratory birds are specially adapted to find their way over extreme distances that represent remarkable tests of endurance. Now, researchers reported on December 6, 2021,…
The Early Bird Gets…the Truffle? Birds Hunt for Fungi, Too
Humans like truffles, as do many mammals. Now new evidence suggests that birds may also seek out and disperse these ecologically important fungi. A study…
Birds Learn To Avoid Plants That Host Dangerous Insects
Young birds that eat insects with conspicuous warning coloration to advertise their toxicity to would-be predators quickly learn to avoid other prey that carry the…
Late Pleistocene Humans May Have Hatched and Raised “World’s Most Dangerous Bird” 18,000 Years Ago
As early as 18,000 years ago, humans in New Guinea may have collected cassowary eggs near maturity and then raised the birds to adulthood, according…