Five Australian animals that could be extinct by 2050
Some 39 Australian mammals have gone extinct since Australia was colonized in 1788.
Plants & Animals
19 hours ago
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Research news on Perching Birds (order)
Perching birds correspond to the order Passeriformes, the largest avian order, characterized by an anisodactyl foot arrangement (three toes directed anteriorly and one posterior hallux) that facilitates strong grasping of branches and other substrates. They exhibit a specialized tendon-locking mechanism in the leg that passively tightens when the limb is flexed, enabling secure perching during rest and sleep. Passeriformes typically display well-developed vocal organs (syrinx) and, in many lineages, complex song behavior. The group encompasses extensive ecological diversity, but is unified anatomically by perching adaptations, particular skeletal features of the feet and pelvis, and distinctive syringeal musculature.
City animals act in the same brazen ways around the world
The urban monkeys in New Delhi are so bold they'll steal the lunch right off your plate. If you've spent time in New York, you've probably seen squirrels try to do the same. Sydney's white ibises got the nickname "bin chickens" ...
Ecology
Apr 8, 2026
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Global trade in wild birds is poorly monitored: The risks to wildlife, ecosystems and human health
Birds have, for centuries, been captured from the wild to be kept in cages—valued for their looks, songs and ability to imitate sounds. Data compiled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), ...
Ecology
Apr 8, 2026
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Spring cold snaps harm nesting tree swallows, but some show resilience
Warming temperatures from climate change cause tree swallows to nest up to two weeks earlier than they did in the 1970s, but early spring cold snaps can hinder nestlings' growth and survival, according to a new study that ...
Plants & Animals
Apr 6, 2026
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'Nothing is changing,' researcher warns British Columbia's endangered species lacking protection
Thousands of endangered species in British Columbia are not receiving the help they need to survive, according to new Simon Fraser University research. B.C. is Canada's most biodiverse province, but analysis of nearly 20 ...
Ecology
Apr 1, 2026
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Study in search of a tropical spring is first to show some birds flip their breeding season in response to climate
In 2014, Felicity Newell joined the Florida Museum of Natural History as a doctoral student, then promptly left the country in search of a tropical spring. It's a concept she started thinking about while doing biological ...
Plants & Animals
Mar 27, 2026
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Urban stormwater ponds support rich bird life
Urban stormwater ponds provide important habitats for birds, including both resident and migrating species, according to research led by the University of Toronto. For the study, researchers placed audio recorders at 16 stormwater ...
Plants & Animals
Mar 24, 2026
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How birds send heat into space measured for the first time—a hidden reflectance of feathers
As human-caused climate change continues to raise temperatures across the globe, understanding how birds regulate their temperature is vital for their conservation. But how much heat birds emit—an invisible spectrum of radiation ...
Plants & Animals
Mar 22, 2026
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Why drawing eyes on food packaging could stop seagulls stealing your chips
The increasingly urban lifestyles of seagulls in the UK and around Europe has made them experts at grabbing food from unsuspecting outdoor diners. Herring gulls in particular are gaining a reputation for food theft in seaside ...
Ecology
Mar 21, 2026
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You probably agree with animals on which bird calls, frog noises and cricket chirps are most attractive—new study
Animals do all sorts of things to attract each other as potential mates. Many birds, for example, produce feathers with elaborate color patterns—from the iridescent plumage of many hummingbirds to the famously brilliant tail ...
Evolution
Mar 20, 2026
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