Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[T40cfr403]

Vaccines developed for H5N1, H7N9 avian influenza strains.  This is important because these are the strains that can be transmitted to humans.  Unfortunately, the current poultry outbreak in the U.S., especially Iowa and other midwest states, is primarily from the H5N2 strain.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150522152354.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Fbirds+%28Birds+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

[T40cfr403]

Brood parasites and egg rejection research using 3-D printed eggs.

http://phys.org/news/2015-05-ovoid-d-birds-eggs-greater.html

[T40cfr403]

Over the past 145 years, some birds have grown bigger beaks to keep cool in response to climate change. The highly vascularized beak acts like a heat exchanger and a bigger beak equals more surface area to get rid of excess heat.

http://phys.org/news/2015-05-bird-beaks-climate-scientists.html

[T40cfr403]

Contagious yawning in budgies! 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150528083830.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Fbirds+%28Birds+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

[T40cfr403]

Way to go, all you citizen scientists!  BTW, the Montagu's harrier is a fine looking bird!

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150528124023.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Fbirds+%28Birds+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montagu%27s_harrier

[T40cfr403]

If you've ever watched the Sydney, Australia, WBSE nest, you know what a pest the currawong is. This clever bird has developed a defense to currawongs that's unique and evidently works.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150602200429.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28Latest+Science+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

[T40cfr403]

Here's the current theory on the evolution of the American bald eagle:

scaly reptiles >> feathered dinosaurs  >> kites >> sea eagles (66 million years ago) >> bald eagle (1st fossils found were 1 million years old)

This research is trying to fill the huge gap between reptiles with scales and dinosaurs with feathers.

http://phys.org/news/2015-06-feathered-dinosaurs-complex-thought.html

[baziunc]

Here's the current theory on the evolution of the American bald eagle:

scaly reptiles >> feathered dinosaurs  >> kites >> sea eagles (66 million years ago) >> bald eagle (1st fossils found were 1 million years old)

This research is trying to fill the huge gap between reptiles with scales and dinosaurs with feathers.

http://phys.org/news/2015-06-feathered-dinosaurs-complex-thought.html

T40, thanks.  I have been learning about the evolutionary slot filled by kites and how that has related to some other raptors, such as BEs.  My first knowledge and awareness of kites was in the 70s as I was driving across the southern Florida peninsula from the Atlantic to the Gulf on the Tamiami Trail through the then-undeveloped and still natural and wild land area we know as the Everglades.  There were informational signs about Snail Kites and their protected and endangered status (in the U.S.) along that road.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snail_Kite/lifehistory  - Snail Kite info via Cornell Lab of Ornithology (all about birds)

[Ginger52]

Invasive Earthworms Spread Mercury to Wildlife -- Article posted 5/28/2015

"Invasive earthworms are absorbing toxic metal pollutants released from human activities, such as burning coal and lead gasoline from soil, which might be contributing to birds? decline as well as the decline of amphibians and other mammals that feed on them, according to a new study published in the journal Soil Biology and Biochemistry..."

http://wildlife.org/invasive-earthworms-spread-mercury-to-wildlife/

[T40cfr403]

Eagles almost brought down the power grid in 1923? Come on now! I doubt it.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150604162603.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Fbirds+%28Birds+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

[T40cfr403]

Even more ridiculous "research" says endangered species should be left to breed in the wild and not saved by captive breeding programs.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150604203450.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Fbirds+%28Birds+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

[T40cfr403]

Finally! Some good research to report. Ever heard of the alula feather? I never had, but it's important.

http://phys.org/news/2015-06-small-vortex-wing-elegance-birds.html

[T40cfr403]

Wisconsin National Park Service put out this very informative video of how they're using nestling eaglets as bio-sentinels for toxic pollutants. Cute, feisty bird!

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/nesting-eaglets-serve-as-bio-sentinels-in-search-for-contaminants-b99512866z1-306439331.html

[glogdog]

Finally! Some good research to report. Ever heard of the alula feather? I never had, but it's important.

http://phys.org/news/2015-06-small-vortex-wing-elegance-birds.html

Yes, T40 - the alula (allulae is plural) are three small, stiff feathers that control the flow of air over the wing during flight. Alulae feathers grow on the first digit or thumb of the bird's wing.  They provide a forward slot, smoothing the airflow over the wing. This enables the bird to fly more slowly without stalling.  To get into more detail, here is the Scientific Reports article, published May 7, 2015, that is referenced in yours:

http://www.nature.com/srep/2015/150507/srep09914/full/srep09914.html

[baziunc]

T40, and Glo, thanks for both of those scientific reports on the role of alula feathers in avian flght.  As both a pilot, and an avian enthusist, I very much enjoyed reading them.