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A DC Birding Blog
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- July 6, 2011
- 09:00 AM
- 496 views
Study Confirms Importance of Red Knot Migratory Stopovers
by John Beetham in A DC Birding Blog
As many readers know, Red Knots (Calidris canutus rufa) are in serious trouble.* Though they were once an abundant shorebird during spring migration on the Atlantic Coast, their population crashed in the 1990s. This winter, Red Knots suffered another setback, when a third of their current known population disappeared from the wintering grounds for reasons that are not entirely clear. The major crash in the 1990s has long been linked to food availability at migratory stopover sites.... Read more »
McGowan, Conor P., James E. Hines, James D. Nichols, James E. Lyons, David R. Smith, Kevin S. Kalasz, Lawrence J. Niles, Amanda D. Dey, Nigel A. Clark, Philip W. Atkinson, Clive D. T. Minton, and William Kendall. (2011) Demographic consequences of migratory stopover: linking red knot survival to horseshoe crab spawning abundance. Ecosphere, 2(art69). info:/10.1890/ES11-00106.1
- June 2, 2010
- 09:00 AM
- 763 views
Why You Should Record All Species and Bird Outside Hotspots
by John Beetham in A DC Birding Blog
Accurate species distribution data is necessary to address biodiversity challenges. To save endangered species, conservationists need to know which species populations are contracting or expanding. Restoring an ecosystem requires an accurate picture of how the ecosystem existed historically. Unfortunately, existing global data collections such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and IUCN Red List underrepresent some geographic areas, especially in the tropics, and may not show accura........ Read more »
Boakes, E., McGowan, P., Fuller, R., Chang-qing, D., Clark, N., O'Connor, K., & Mace, G. (2010) Distorted Views of Biodiversity: Spatial and Temporal Bias in Species Occurrence Data. PLoS Biology, 8(6). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1000385
- May 8, 2010
- 09:00 AM
- 978 views
How Far Can a Bird Fly Nonstop During Migration?
by John Beetham in A DC Birding Blog
Bar-tailed Godwits / Image: Phil Battley Recent studies using satellite telemetry or geolocators have shown that some bird species are capable of very long nonstop flight during migration, far longer than previously thought. Some of the longest belong to Bar-tailed Godwits, which have been tracked performing nonstop flights of over 11,000 km (or about 7,000 miles). Ruddy Turnstones perform similarly impressive flights. A new study in PLoS Biology tries to measure whether there are any limits to ........ Read more »
Hedenström, A. (2010) Extreme Endurance Migration: What Is the Limit to Non-Stop Flight?. PLoS Biology, 8(5). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1000362
- February 23, 2010
- 09:00 AM
- 884 views
Meat on a String: A Possible Limit to Corvid Intelligence?
by John Beetham in A DC Birding Blog
Common Raven / USFWS Photo Corvids – crows, ravens, jays, and magpies – are well known to be among the most intelligent of birds. Along with parrots, corvids have been a frequent subject of avian intelligence studies. Experiments have documented problem-solving and tool use, both in the lab and in the wild. Many of the recent experiments have tested intelligence in New Caledonian Crows (Corvus moneduloides), but tests of Ravens (Corvus corax) and Rooks (Corvus frugilegus) have also found pro........ Read more »
Taylor, A., Medina, F., Holzhaider, J., Hearne, L., Hunt, G., & Gray, R. (2010) An Investigation into the Cognition Behind Spontaneous String Pulling in New Caledonian Crows. PLoS ONE, 5(2). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009345
- February 21, 2010
- 09:00 AM
- 981 views
House Finches, Disease, and Bird Feeders
by John Beetham in A DC Birding Blog
House Finches at a Feeder Like humans, birds can be infected by various diseases, some of which can be quite contagious. Among feeder birds, House Finches are particularly susceptible to Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis. Avian conjunctivitis causes very noticeable changes to a bird's appearance and behavior. Infected birds appear to have swollen or crusty eyes. Becoming lethargic, they succumb more easily to starvation or predation.A new study examines behaviors that may encourage the spread of ........ Read more »
Bouwman, K., & Hawley, D. (2010) Sickness behaviour acting as an evolutionary trap? Male house finches preferentially feed near diseased conspecifics. Biology Letters. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2010.0020
- February 18, 2010
- 09:00 AM
- 886 views
Iron in the Beaks of Birds
by John Beetham in A DC Birding Blog
Birders know well that birds migrate – the cycle of bird movements keeps birding interesting throughout the year. Many landbird migration routes are well-documented, and even some over-water routes are starting to be determined. What is less understood is how the birds know where they are going. Recent research has focused on how birds might sense, or even see, the Earth's magnetic field for orientation. At least one recent study proposed that some birds use an olfactory sense for guidance. Vi........ Read more »
Falkenberg, G., Fleissner, G., Schuchardt, K., Kuehbacher, M., Thalau, P., Mouritsen, H., Heyers, D., Wellenreuther, G., & Fleissner, G. (2010) Avian Magnetoreception: Elaborate Iron Mineral Containing Dendrites in the Upper Beak Seem to Be a Common Feature of Birds. PLoS ONE, 5(2). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009231
- January 26, 2010
- 09:00 AM
- 529 views
Dunlin Lose Weight to Avoid Peregrines
by John Beetham in A DC Birding Blog
Dunlin at Surf Beach in California / Photo by Alan VernonA new paper based on studies from the Fraser River estuary in British Columbia finds that hunting pressure from Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) is changing the behavior of Pacific Dunlin (Calidris alpina pacifica). The peregrine population crashed forty years ago, primarily thanks to pesticides, and has since rebounded. All of those new falcons need to eat, and shorebirds are suitable prey because of their size, numbers, and penchant ........ Read more »
Ydenberg, R., Dekker, D., Kaiser, G., Shepherd, P., Evans Ogden, L., Rickards, K., & Lank, D. (2010) Winter body mass and over-ocean flocking as components of danger management by Pacific dunlins. BMC Ecology, 10(1), 1. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6785-10-1
- January 14, 2010
- 09:00 AM
- 16,047 views
What Makes Birds Cooperate Against Predators?
by John Beetham in A DC Birding Blog
Pied Flycatcher / Photo by Simon Eugster via WikimediaMany bird species are known to cooperate to mob and scold predators such as hawks, owls, or outdoor cats. In North America this behavior is probably most noticeable among jays and crows since they form the loudest mobs. Chickadees and titmice likewise gather to scold a predator when one is found. Other species may participate or use their own cooperative actions to confuse and drive away predators. The general strategy is to gather around a p........ Read more »
Krams, I., Berzins, A., Krama, T., Wheatcroft, D., Igaune, K., & Rantala, M. (2009) The increased risk of predation enhances cooperation. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 277(1681), 513-518. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2009.1614
- January 7, 2010
- 09:00 AM
- 980 views
Evaluating State Endangered Species Lists
by John Beetham in A DC Birding Blog
Long-billed Curlew / Photo by Mike BairdAt a time when federal listings have been delayed and international standards are difficult to implement, state endangered species lists can play an important role in protecting at-risk species. That is, they can protect globally threatened species, especially ones for which their region bears high responsibility. Jeffrey Wells of the Boreal Songbird Initiative set out to assess how well state lists are identifying and protecting globally threatened specie........ Read more »
Wells, J., Robertson, B., Rosenberg, K., & Mehlman, D. (2010) Global versus Local Conservation Focus of U.S. State Agency Endangered Bird Species Lists. PLoS ONE, 5(1). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008608
- December 24, 2009
- 09:00 AM
- 1,140 views
Twisting Genitals and Forced Copulation: The Strange Sex Lives of Ducks
by John Beetham in A DC Birding Blog
A few years ago, a study explored the strange genitals of waterfowl and found that females typically had complex vaginas if males of the same species had complex phalluses. Waterbirds are among the few bird species that have phalluses at all. Duck species in the Anas, Clangula, and Oxytura genera take this to an extreme, with very long, twisting genitals, sometimes equipped with spines. Phalluses twist counterclockwise, and vaginas twist clockwise. (You can see some examples at the post linked a........ Read more »
Brennan, P., Clark, C., & Prum, R. (2009) Explosive eversion and functional morphology of the duck penis supports sexual conflict in waterfowl genitalia. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2009.2139
Brennan, P., Prum, R., McCracken, K., Sorenson, M., Wilson, R., & Birkhead, T. (2007) Coevolution of Male and Female Genital Morphology in Waterfowl. PLoS ONE, 2(5). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000418
- November 30, 2009
- 09:00 AM
- 1,250 views
A Historic Paper on Cuckoo Behavior
by John Beetham in A DC Birding Blog
In the coming year, the Royal Society is entering its 350th year of existence. It was founded on November 28, 1660, as a forum for scientists and philosophers to discuss their work. Since 1665, it has published the journal Philosophical Transactions. To celebrate its anniversary, the Royal Society is posting sixty of the most significant papers from Philosophical Transactions. You can find them at the society's Trailblazing website. Nestled among the other historic papers is one that concer........ Read more »
Jenner, E. (1788) Observations on the Natural History of the Cuckoo. By Mr. Edward Jenner. In a Letter to John Hunter, Esq. F. R. S. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1776-1886), 78(1), 219-237. DOI: 10.1098/rstl.1788.0016
- November 25, 2009
- 09:00 AM
- 1,166 views
How Raptor Talons Fit Their Prey
by John Beetham in A DC Birding Blog
Most birders learn through field guides that different raptor groups have recognizable body shapes adapted to the way they hunt. Accipiters, for example, have short rounded wings and long tails to facilitate short pursuits through close quarters. This is, in fact, a key to identifying many raptors in the field. Close study of raptors reveals even more subtle anatomical differences. A newly published article in PLoS ONE relates differences in the shapes of raptor talons to how they kill their pre........ Read more »
Fowler, D., Freedman, E., & Scannella, J. (2009) Predatory Functional Morphology in Raptors: Interdigital Variation in Talon Size Is Related to Prey Restraint and Immobilisation Technique. PLoS ONE, 4(11). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007999
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