Ten years of survey work in the San Rafael National Park in Paraguay have established that it is “as important for both avian diversity and threatened species as any other location in South America”. read more at birdlife
Category: news
More Than One-quarter Of US Bird Species Imperiled, Report States
One hundred seventy-eight species in the continental U.S. and 39 in Hawaii have the dubious distinction of landing on the newest and most scientifically sound list of America’s most imperiled birds. WatchList 2007, a joint effort of Audubon and American Bird Conservancy, reflects a comprehensive analysis of population size and trends, distribution, and threats for […]
Breeding Project Begins for Endangered Okinawa Rail
Japan’s Ministry of Environment has announced that it will undertake a breeding project for the Okinawa Rail, categorized as “critically endangered” (the most threatened species) on the Ministry’s bird Red List. The Ministry has set a numeric target of two hundred for captive breeding by the end of FY2017. read more at Japan for Sustainability
Kiwi smarter than the average bird
The kiwi has a large brain similar to “smarter” flighted birds compared with its long-lost compatriot, the giant moa, which has a significantly smaller brain, say researchers. read more at stuff nz
Bird-flu Expert Calls For Changes In Early-warning System
Global surveillance is critical for identifying and tracking potential pandemic viruses such as highly pathogenic H5N1. But the current surveillance strategy in wild birds is piecemeal and risks missing important virus sources or subtypes, Walter Boyce writes in a commentary.* Boyce says scientists must take several steps to catch avian influenza viruses before they catch […]
Some research papers
Natal Dispersal in the North Island Robin (Petroica longipes): the Importance of Connectivity in Fragmented HabitatsAskia K. Wittern and sa Berggren Long-distance Dispersal Patterns of Male Cerulean Warblers (Dendroica cerulea) Measured by Stable-hydrogen IsotopesM. Katherine Girvan, Jason Jones, D. Ryan Norris, Jennifer J. Barg, T. Kurt Kyser, and Raleigh J. Robertson Pre-Migratory Movements by Juvenile […]
Penguins In Peril As Climate Warms
The report, Antarctic Penguins and Climate Change, shows that the four populations of penguins that breed on the Antarctic continent – Adlie, Emperor, Chinstrap and Gentoo – are under escalating pressure. For some, global warming is taking away precious ground on which penguins raise their young. For others, food has become increasingly scarce because of […]
Songbirds Offer Clues To Highly Practiced Motor Skills In Humans
The melodious sound of a songbird may appear effortless, but his elocutions are actually the result of rigorous training undergone in youth and maintained throughout adulthood. His tune has virtually ‘crystallized’ by maturity. The same control is seen in the motor performance of top athletes and musicians. Yet, subtle variations in highly practiced skills persist […]
Helping Hand From The Grandparents, Observed In Birds
A team of scientists led by the University of East Anglia has discovered the existence of ?grandparent’ helpers in the Seychelles warbler – the first time this behaviour, which rarely occurs except in humans, has been observed in birds. read more at sciencedaily
Bali Climate Change Conference revives hope for tropical forests
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) begins today (December 3rd) on the island of Bali. The Conference, hosted by the Government of Indonesia, brings together representatives of over 180 countries together with observers from intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, and the media. The two week period includes the sessions of the Conference of […]