Research / Discoveries
Research / Discoveries
Aircraft to Steer Clear of Barn Swallows
Last November, BirdLife International raised concerns over the South African Government's plans to build an international airport near the Mount Moreland Reedbeds. The proposed development threatened millions of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) who use the reedbeds as roosting habitat each winter, from early November through mid-April.
Last November, BirdLife International raised concerns over the South African Government's plans to build an international airport near the Mount Moreland Reedbeds. The proposed development threatened millions of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) who use the reedbeds as roosting habitat each winter, from early November through mid-April.
Bird Eggs Strengthened by Speckles
For decades, a debate about why birds' eggs are speckled has focused on two possible explanations. But now a new explanation has emerged, one that suggests the speckling pattern on birds' eggs helps strengthen the egg shell.
For decades, a debate about why birds' eggs are speckled has focused on two possible explanations. But now a new explanation has emerged, one that suggests the speckling pattern on birds' eggs helps strengthen the egg shell.
Europe's Birds Threatened by Changing Climate, Study Warns
What threat does climate change pose for bird species throughout Europe? This question lies at the heart of a recently-released report, 'A Climatic Atlas of European Breeding Birds' published by a partnership between Durham University, the RSPB and Lynx in association with the University of Cambridge, BirdLife International and the European Bird Census Council (EBCC).
What threat does climate change pose for bird species throughout Europe? This question lies at the heart of a recently-released report, 'A Climatic Atlas of European Breeding Birds' published by a partnership between Durham University, the RSPB and Lynx in association with the University of Cambridge, BirdLife International and the European Bird Census Council (EBCC).
Grenada Dove Threatened by Plans to Build Luxury Hotel
The Grenada dove (Leptotila wellsi) is set to lose a large portion of its dry-forest habitat as plans take shape to build a luxury hotel in what is now Grenada's Mount Hartman National Park.
The Grenada dove (Leptotila wellsi) is set to lose a large portion of its dry-forest habitat as plans take shape to build a luxury hotel in what is now Grenada's Mount Hartman National Park.
Large-Billed Reed-Warbler Rediscovered After 139-Year Absense
A little brown bird in Thailand has a lot of ornithologists celebrating its rediscovery, 139 years after its original identification. In 1867, a single specimen of a Large-Billed Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus orinus) was collected in the Sutleg Valley near Rampoor, Himachal Pradesh, India.
A little brown bird in Thailand has a lot of ornithologists celebrating its rediscovery, 139 years after its original identification. In 1867, a single specimen of a Large-Billed Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus orinus) was collected in the Sutleg Valley near Rampoor, Himachal Pradesh, India.
New Species of Bird Discovered in Northeast India
A new species of bird has been discovered in Northeast India—the first such discovery since 1948. The spectacular new bird, Bugun Liocichla, has an olive body, black cap, orange-yellow lore (the area between the upper bill and eye) and patches of yellow, crimson and white on its wings.
A new species of bird has been discovered in Northeast India—the first such discovery since 1948. The spectacular new bird, Bugun Liocichla, has an olive body, black cap, orange-yellow lore (the area between the upper bill and eye) and patches of yellow, crimson and white on its wings.
New Species of Hummingbird Discovered in Cloud Forests of Columbia
A new species of hummingbird has been discovered in the montane cloud forests of southwest Colombia. The gorgeted puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae) is named for its brilliant, bicolor throat patch (of iridescent blue and green feathers) and the white tufts of feathers above its legs.
A new species of hummingbird has been discovered in the montane cloud forests of southwest Colombia. The gorgeted puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae) is named for its brilliant, bicolor throat patch (of iridescent blue and green feathers) and the white tufts of feathers above its legs.
Rare Rimatara Lorikeets Released on Atiu Island
Twenty-seven rare Rimatara lorikeets (Vini kuhlii) have been released on the Cook Island of Atiu in the South Pacific. The project, lead by Gerald McCormack of the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, aims to establish a reserve population of the endangered bird.
Twenty-seven rare Rimatara lorikeets (Vini kuhlii) have been released on the Cook Island of Atiu in the South Pacific. The project, lead by Gerald McCormack of the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, aims to establish a reserve population of the endangered bird.
Ten Million Fewer House Sparrows
In Britain, house sparrow numbers have declined steeply in both urban and rural areas. London's sparrow population has dropped by sixty percent during the past six years. In rural areas of Britain, populations have fallen the same amount over the past thirty years.
In Britain, house sparrow numbers have declined steeply in both urban and rural areas. London's sparrow population has dropped by sixty percent during the past six years. In rural areas of Britain, populations have fallen the same amount over the past thirty years.
Woodpecker Defies Extinction, Found in Arkansas
The ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) has been rediscovered in the Big Woods area of Arkansas, scientists announced late last week.
The ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) has been rediscovered in the Big Woods area of Arkansas, scientists announced late last week.