Just like birds, alligators remain loyal to their partners for yearsOctober 8th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A decade long study on alligators has finally led to the conclusion that the they are as loyal to their mating partners as birds. Scientists from the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory claim that up to 70 percent of females chose to remain with their partner for maximum time.
Migrating birds chill at stopovers to save energySeptember 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, scientists have suggested that migrating birds drop their body temperature at night during stopovers to save energy and build up their reserves faster. Scientists Michal Wojciechowski and Berry Pinshow carried out the research.
Arctic oil rigs help predators prey on nesting birdsSeptember 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Developing oil rigs in the Arctic is helping predators prey on nesting birds by providing them with subsidised housing. They nest and den around drilling infrastructure and supplement their diets with garbage and nesting birds, says a new study by Wildlife Conservation Society, US Fish and Wildlife Service.
'NanoPen' may revolutionise electronics sector, medical diagnostic testsSeptember 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of scientists in California have announced the creation of a 'NanoPen' that can simplify the method of laying down patterns of nanoparticles-from wires to circuits-for making futuristic electronic devices, medical diagnostic tests, and other much-anticipated nanotech applications. Writing about their work in ACS' Nano Letters, Ming Wu and colleagues point out that researchers have already developed several different techniques for producing patterns of nanoparticles, which are barely 1/50,000th the width of a human hair.
Aussie pigeons use feathers as predator alarmsSeptember 2nd, 2009 MELBOURNE - An Australian species of pigeon, called the Ocyphaps lophotes, has the ability to produce a unique whistling sound with its wings to alarm others in the flock about any potential danger, say researchers at the Australian National University in Canberra. Behavioural ecologist Dr.
Birds love soaking in the sun as much as humans doAugust 19th, 2009 LONDON - Its not just humans who enjoy soaking up in the sun on the beach, for birds are fond of sunbathing too, according to the bird charity RSPB. The charity revealed that they receive almost 100 calls during hot spells from people who are concerned with watching birds lying with their feathers and wings exposed to the sun.
Micro robo flies can save up to 50 percent energy if they fly like helicoptersAugust 8th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has shown that micro flying robots that hover like flies can save up to 50 percent energy if they swing an insect wing around like a helicopter blade. Previously, engineers have long been stymied in their attempts to fabricate micro aerial robots that can match the amazing flight capabilities of nature's most advanced flying insects - flies.
Strong flight muscles give bar-headed geese energy to soar above the HimalayasJuly 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has determined that a higher density of blood vessels and other unique physiological features in the flight muscles of bar-headed geese allow them to assert energy at high altitudes like the Himalayas. Named for the dark stripes on the backs of their heads, bar-headed geese are native to South and Central Asia.
How humans can help save critically endangered waterbird from extinctionJuly 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Humans can help in saving the world's most threatened bird species, called the white-shouldered ibis or waterbirds, from extinction, according to new findings by the University of East Anglia (UEA). The study by UEA conservation experts explores the exact reasons behind the decline of the critically endangered white-shouldered ibis.
Experts to study animal behaviour during solar eclipseJuly 20th, 2009 BHOPAL - How would animals and birds behave during a total solar eclipse? Experts at the Van Vihar National Park in this Madhya Pradesh capital will study animal behaviour during the phenomena July 22. The eclipse Wednesday will be the longest solar eclipse of the century.
Oldest falcon nest found in GreenlandJune 18th, 2009 LONDON - The oldest nest used by falcons, dating back to even before the time of Jesus, has been discovered in Greenland. Gyrfalcons, the world's largest species of falcon, still continually use the nesting site on a precarious cliff edge.
Time taken to shed feathers limits maximum body size in birdsJune 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, scientists have provided evidence that maximum body size in birds is constrained by the amount of time it takes to replace the flight feathers during molt. The evidence was provided by Sievert Rohwer, and his colleagues at the Burke Museum at the University of Washington.
Warmer weather favors "weedy" species of birdsJune 10th, 2009 WASHINGTON - An analysis has revealed that warmer weather has favored "weedy" species of birds, those that are adapted to a wide range of habitats and therefore easily extend their ranges. Ecologists at the University of California, San Diego, US, did the analysis.
Researchers in Ohio hope remote-controlled planes will yield clues about bird-plane strikesApril 27th, 2009 Ohio study with hobby planes looks at bird strikesHURON, Ohio — Researchers want to fly remote-controlled airplanes near Lake Erie to determine whether lighting systems could scare away birds and cut down the number of mid-air collisions with flying fowl. Wildlife biologists hope the study will help them understand more about how birds react to planes.
Smuggler stopped with pigeons in his pantsFebruary 2nd, 2009 SYDNEY - An Australian man was stopped at the Melbourne airport Tuesday with two pigeons concealed in his underwear. The 23-year-old arrived on a flight from Dubai and was discovered to be wearing tights that held a bird tightly to each leg.
Loading ...