Douglas Levey from the University of Florida, Gainsville, led a unique field study aimed at revealing the route birds travel when moving between forest patches.

His research team set out to track the paths of southern bluebirds (Sialia sialis). They sprayed fluorescent powder on wax myrtle seeds, a preferred food of the bluebirds. The birds ate the seed and, as they flew, left a trail of fluorescent droppings for Levey's team to follow.

The study revealed that the bluebirds travel along the edges of vegetation corridors that connect larger patches of habitat. The width of the corridor was not crucial, good news as often wide corridors between undisturbed areas are not available.

You can read more at the news@nature.com website, 'Bird travels tracked by fluorescent droppings'.

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