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Birds

Life reconstruction of the Jurassic bird Baminornis zhenghensis

Discovery of the oldest Jurassic fossils sheds light on bird origin

The fossils provide the evidence yet that birds were diversified by the end of the Jurassic period.

eagle flying against sky

Discovering the traits of extinct birds

Birds endemic to islands, lacking flight, with large bodies and pointy wings are the most vulnerable.

D. rarus

The mystery of the ‘Dinky’ dinosaur’s unusually long stride solved

UMD paleontologist helped recreate the movements of a bird-sized raptor.

The three fossil specimens (from left to right), Avisaurus darwini, Avisaurus sp., and Magnusavis ekalakaensis, all of which are represented by a tarsometatarsus. They are all shown to scale with one another.

Newly-discovered bird species may have hunted, like modern hawks and owls

Predatory birds are from the same fossil formation as SUE, the T. rex.

large birds engaged in raptorial behavior and could carry proportionally large prey.

Exploring the fascinating world of cretaceous birds

New fossil species reveal diverse body sizes and lifestyles of birds before mass extinction.

Yellow-nosed Albatross

How do penguins and albatrosses find their food?

This is the first time this ability has been identified in seabirds.

Kestrel.

Kestrels could unlock the secrets to safer flight

Making drones safer and more stable in turbulent conditions.

redheaded vulture

How large turkey vultures remain aloft in thin air?

Turkey vultures fly faster at altitude to defy thin air.

Image showing A reconstructed image of Pakudyptes at a New Zealand coast.

Fossil shows penguin wing evolution

According to an international study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, a tiny fossil penguin is crucial to understanding...

The Broad-billed Tody, Todus subulatus, is a member of the bird group Coraciimorphae.

Rapid evolution of bird genomes is linked to end-Cretaceous mass extinction

Life for non-avian dinosaurs ended, but the evolutionary story for the early ancestors of birds began.

Hens blush when they are scared or excited

Hens blush when they are scared or excited

Domestic chickens use flushed skin and feather fluffing to display different emotions, levels of excitement.

Image showing A new family tree of the plant genus Solanum, created by Penn State biologists, helps explain the striking diversity of their fruit color and size.

Tomato & potato fruit color, size evolved together

In-depth Phylogeny reveals linked evolution of fruit traits in Solanum L.

Madeiran chaffinch has flown to the mans hand for food levada dos balcoes madeira portugal

Birds adapt flight mechanics using lungs

Respiratory system affects light in soaring birds.

A female blue tit on her nest

Older males outcompete young males in extramarital breeding

When adult male blue tits were absent, young males were more likely to father “extra-pair” offspring.

Pigeon in natural environment

The social influences on pigeon flight routes: Study

Pairing older and younger birds improves social proximity and flight paths across generations.

Wing-beat-frequency data

The fascinating world of frequencies in animal flight and diving

The wing and fin beats of flying and diving animals can be predicted using just body mass and wing area.

Climate change

Climate change and its impact on North American animal species

North American cities may see a significant species turnover by the end of the century.

Birds Flock

How do birds flock? Uncovering aerodynamic mysteries through mathematics

Findings have potential applications for transportation and energy.

Bird receiving oral swab

The link between West Nile Virus and Agricultural activities

Direction of spread also associated with wetland urbanization and migratory bird patterns.

Birds flying from the tree during sun rise

Scientists built the most extensive and most detailed bird family tree to date

Computational tools fuel reconstruction of new and improved bird family tree.

An Anna's hummingbird

How hummingbirds can fly through dense, narrow spaces?

Hummingbirds have evolved their own unique strategies.

Northern cardinal bird

Bright light in big cities is linked to smaller eyes in birds

The findings have implications for conservation efforts amid the rapid decline of bird populations.

The endangered red-crowned parrot

Endangered parrot species are thriving in urban areas

High-tech tracking reveals red-crowned parrots have four main roosts in Texas.

Image showing starling

Vocal learning linked to problem-solving skills

Explore the cognitive skills of vocal learners in North American birds.

Minimal world animal day creative poster design

Most species are uncommon but not excessively, So

Exploring the worldwide distribution of species abundance.

Image showing Tern-thumb.

Arctic terns navigate environmental hazards

Arctic terns may adapt to climate change risks.

Image showing black and white warbler.

Birds track environmental conditions seasonally

North American birds year-round weather preferences across migratory routes.

Tick

Scientists discovered static electricity attracts ticks to hosts

Ticks attract hosts through accumulated static electricity in air gaps.

Image showing bird nest.

Beak shape predicts bird nest material usage

Researchers have shown that the size of the beak influences the material used for bird nests.

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