Rearing young is a costly business that often affects an individual’s own future survival or reproduction prospects. And so it makes sense for individuals to find ways to ensure the energy they spend on…
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Articles on Birds
Displaying 461 - 480 of 522 articles
Why are some animals blue and others red? Explaining the diversity of colours in nature is a central issue in evolutionary biology. And part of the answer may lie in the most obvious place: the eye. In…
The profile of science has risen dramatically in policy making in recent years. Climate change mitigation, the Murray Darling Basin Plan, debate over the MV Margiris: all are talked about in terms of whether…
Vibrant blue plumage of breeding male fairy-wren may be linked to their higher visual sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light…
Scientists have mapped the first family tree for all known living bird species, showing that new species appeared on Earth much faster than originally thought. The research, which links all 9993 known…
Contrary to expectations, the rate of bird evolution appears to be accelerating. Scientists discovered this by creating an…
Moa birds disappeared from New Zealand following the arrival of human settlers in the 13th century, but their fossils now provide us with a valuable clues about long-term DNA survival and how DNA decays…
All endangered birds tend to have eggs that fail to hatch: captive endangered birds produce more infertile eggs, whereas…
Choosing a mate is one of the most important decisions an individual of any species will make in its life. It is therefore perhaps a surprise that a new study, of which I’m a co-author, has revealed a…
New research shows birds are aware of their dead and respond with cacophonous gatherings. The research, which was carried…
Can the nests of some birds be regarded as works of art, as aesthetic creations worthy of our admiration? Charles Darwin wrote in The Descent of Man that some birds have “fine powers of discrimination…
While social networking is something many of us have only recently become aware of, a new study by University of Oxford and ANU researchers shows birds have been hanging out on the social network for a…
Two new species of owl have been confirmed in the Philippines. Researchers had been aware for some time of new subspecies…
In Australia we are all too familiar with devastating environmental impacts of introduced species such as foxes, rabbits and cane toads. But did you know that some introduced species may have a relatively…
Humans are very good at innovating and it would seem reasonable to expect our children would be too. But a recent study questions these assumptions, suggesting young children’s ability to problem-solve…
Maybe it’s just a normal part of growing older and “taking the time to smell the roses”, but I’ve been finding over the past few years that I’m much more interested in birds. That hasn’t yet turned me…
Blood is thicker than water when it comes to being a team player – at least if you’re a bird in outback Australia. So shows a new study I was involved in, published this week in the journal Proceedings…
Lyrebirds are some of the most proficient when it comes to imitating other bird species’ calls and songs. Grey Shrike-Thrush…
Physiological stress and reproductive success in some species have been found to be unaffected, or very little affected by…
One of my most vivid and lasting memories as an ecologist dates back to 1997. I was in the office of the then Environment Minister. I was told by the Minister and his minders that “we already knew everything…
Top contributors
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Professor of Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University
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Professor of Avian Behavioural Ecology, Macquarie University
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Emeritus Professor in Animal Behaviour, University of New England
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Professor of Conservation Biology, Charles Darwin University
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Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian National University
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Professor in Evolutionary Biology (jointly appointed with South Australian Museum), Flinders University
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Researcher, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University
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Professor of Environmental Management, The University of Queensland
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Adjunct Lecturer/ Ecologist, University of New England
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Associate Professor, Vertebrate Palaeontology Group, Flinders University
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Reader, Manchester Metropolitan University
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Professor in Conservation Science, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland
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Professor of Evolutionary and Conservation Biology, Australian National University
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Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University
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Research Director and Curator, Australian National Wildlife Collection, CSIRO, Canberra, CSIRO
