A 2018 study found signs of CTE in some woodpecker brains, but it’s unclear if the birds suffer from brain damage from hammering on trees. Read More “Understanding potential brain damage in woodpeckers”
Pileated Woodpecker. Photo by Raven Ouellette
Science
Discoveries about birds, behaviors, migration, and more. Plus, Eldon Greij’s popular column, “Amazing Birds.”
Why some female hummingbirds look like males
New study finds female jacobins that have male-like plumage get more food. Read More “Why some female hummingbirds look like males”
How male Acorn Woodpeckers father more chicks
Males in polygamous breeding groups with one or two other male woodpeckers sire significantly more chicks over their lifetimes. Read More “How male Acorn Woodpeckers father more chicks”
Changes to North America’s bird list in 2021
American Ornithological Society announces splits among gulls, owls, and wrens among other taxonomic changes. Read More “Changes to North America’s bird list in 2021”
Acoustic array detects possible new Upland Sandpiper route
The species is observed regularly east of the Continental Divide and only rarely west of it. Read More “Acoustic array detects possible new Upland Sandpiper route”
Help researchers learn which birds eat periodical cicadas
So far, a survey has found almost 50 bird species preying on cicadas, including some that have never before been observed eating the crunchy critters. Read More “Help researchers learn which birds eat periodical cicadas”
New study sounds the alarm for the world’s seabirds
Researchers: “The prognosis for sustained breeding productivity of Northern Hemisphere fish-eating and omnivorous breeding seabirds is poor.” Read More “New study sounds the alarm for the world’s seabirds”
Scientists record new daily speed record for swifts
Researchers had thought Common Swifts traveled about 500 kilometers per day on average. New evidence shows that’s a conservative estimate. Read More “Scientists record new daily speed record for swifts”
Potential changes to North America’s bird checklist in 2021
We may get a new name for Mew Gull, a lump among buntings, and other changes. Read More “Potential changes to North America’s bird checklist in 2021”
Head of AOS commits to ‘changing exclusionary or harmful bird names’
Says he is forming a diverse committee to handle the next steps in addressing bird names. Read More “Head of AOS commits to ‘changing exclusionary or harmful bird names’”