Birds News

Changing wind turbine design can help protect birds By Tim Sandle Wind turbines are part of many renewable energy strategies and the adoption of wind power, along with other renewable sources of energy, can assist with meeting carbon targets. However, many wind turbines cause bird deaths. A new design has been proposed.

Canada and US lose 3 billion birds in fifty years By Tim Sandle Bird populations in both U.S. and Canada are down by some 3 billion over a 50 year period, according to new research. Human activity appears to be the main reason for the population decline.

Albania's pelicans return to their lagoon 'kingdom' By AFP Tirana - With feathers on its head that make it look like it is wearing a wig, it does not go unnoticed -- the Dalmatian pelican is back with a flourish in the Divjaka Lagoon in western Albania.

Faithful storks keep long-distance love alive in Croatia By AFP - A faithful male flying thousands of miles each year to join his handicapped female who cannot fly -- the story of two storks in Croatia, Klepetan and Malena, is one of love and devotion beating the odds.

Bird populations in rural France 'collapsing' By AFP Paris - Bird populations across an eerily quiet French countryside have collapsed, on average, by a third over the last decade-and-a-half, alarmed researchers reported on Tuesday.

In Colombia, birders find their version of Eden By AFP Cali - Despite his small stature, 10-year-old Juan David Camacho has big dreams: pacing through Colombia's jungle with binoculars in tow, he aims to spot all the bird species his country offers.

Cats kill one million birds a day in Australia By AFP Sydney - Feral and pet cats kill more than one million birds in Australia every day, new research showed Wednesday, with the staggering slaughter driving the decline of many species.

British bases in Cyprus get drone to fight bird trappers By AFP Larnaca - Police on a British military base in Cyprus on Thursday launched their latest weapon in the fight against illegal bird trappers –- a high-tech drone.

Jailbird: Swiss collector sentenced for filching feathers By AFP Geneva - A Swiss hawk enthusiast was on Wednesday sentenced to three years behind bars for stealing more than 10,000 bird feathers worth an estimated $6 million from European museums.

Cyprus struggles to tackle 'industrial' songbird poaching By AFP Nicosia - Volunteers and police in Cyprus are struggling to tackle illegal songbird trapping operations that kill millions of birds a year and net huge profits for poaching gangs.

Dealing with toxic algal blooms involves reducing bird poop By Tim Sandle Algal blooms are a big problem in many parts of the world. Algae can deplete oxygen levels in lakes and produce toxins which threatened aquatic life. One influencing factor on algal levels is bird feces.

Watch raven eat a parking ticket placed on windshield of car By Arthur Weinreb Yellowknife - Once a parking ticket is issued it must be paid. It does not matter if the ticket blows away, is taken by another person, or eaten by a bird. The city of Yellowknife will not accept "the raven ate my ticket" as an excuse for non-payment.

Warming temperatures cause early bird migration By Tim Sandle Edinburgh - Changing temperatures and a warmer climate are causing birds to migrate earlier and to head for their breeding grounds, according to a new research study. This relates to information collated over the course of several summers.

Giant slugs found to be feasting on baby birds By Tim Sandle Wroclaw - A slow crawling, slimy slug may not seem like much of a threat, but to newborn baby birds, unable to fly or defend themselves, slugs are a risk. New research shows how the slugs devour the fledglings.

Pets or pests? Quaker parrots invade Madrid By AFP Madrid - They may be cute, colourful and chatty, but South American quaker parrots have taken up residence in Madrid and other Spanish cities, irritating residents with their shrill squawks and destabilising the ecosystem.

Birds sing 'hot weather warning' to unborn chicks By Tim Sandle Bird song varies and birds sing differently for different reasons. In a remarkable find scientists have discovered that birds sing to their unborn chicks to warn them of hot weather.

Bird friendly gardens can cause more harm than good By Tim Sandle Plenty of books and magazine articles encourage people to design their gardens in different ways to attract more birds. A new study suggests this can often causes harm to birds.

Methylmercury now being found in Southern Ocean fish and birds By Karen Graham Methylmercury, a potent neurotoxin has been found in sea ice in the Southern Ocean, according to new research. This latest study demonstrates how sea ice bacteria can change mercury into its more lethal form, contaminating marine life and birds.

Feather-degrading bacteria harming birds By Tim Sandle An explanation has been provided for a serious disease of birds where the feathers rot away and fall off. This disease is caused by feather-degrading bacteria. The solution requires a joined-up approach to conservation.

Red kites in Scotland have taken to stealing underwear By Tim Sandle Aberdeen - Red kites have been swooping down when swimmers peel off their clothes take a dip at a popular bathing spot near Glen Esk in Scotland. What are the birds doing with the garments?

Exotic pet trade sends Florida bird rescues soaring By AFP Miami - In this small animal hospital perched on Miami's sun-splashed harbor, some of the most exotic creatures fly in and out of Carla Zepeda's life.

Male peacocks twerk to attract hens By Tim Sandle A new study, using slow-motion capture photography, has revealed that male peacocks undertake a series of movements, including a move that resembles twerking, it to attract peahens.

Seeds may have helped birds survive extinction of the dinosaurs By Megan Hamilton While there's plenty of evidence to suggest that dinosaurs were already in decline millions of years before the asteroid impact that spelled their doom, we know that those small, feathered theropod dinosaurs, otherwise known as birds, did survive.

The smartness of crows revealed through brain study By Tim Sandle Crows are one of the smartest birds known and they have an incredible memory. A new insight, based on brain activity in the birds, reveals why these birds have such effective memory recall.

Botulism affecting Spain’s waterbirds By Tim Sandle Madrid - A large number of waterbirds have been killed in Spain in recent years due to the bacterial disease botulism. It is thought the infection is being spread by an invasive species of water snail.

Bird revives another bird: Video By Tim Sandle Are birds capable of altruistic behavior? A new video suggests so. The scene, shot in Saudi Arabia, shows a robin slapping wings and stroking unconscious partners using its beak. The bird regains consciousness and flies away.

Big Garden Bird Watch is on By Tim Sandle This week over one million people in the U.K. are taking part in the 'Big Garden Bird Watch,' an example of mass participation of citizen science in action.

Photo essay: Alberta's winter bird species Special By Kyle Ashmead As winter sets in across Alberta many bird species head south, but even with the cold weather and deep snow some birds stick around. They are the hardy few, which make Alberta and Canada their year-round home.

Watch adorable birds tap-dance while attracting a mate By Tim Sandle An enchanting video has been released showing adorable and colourful birds undertake a rhythmical dance, replete with toe-tapping action, in a bid to attract a mate.

Captive female snake without male companion gives birth – again By Megan Hamilton Cape Girardeau - For the second year in a row, a captive female snake in southern Missouri has given birth even though she hasn't been anywhere near a male snake for eight years. The yellow–bellied water snake gave birth in 2014, and then did it again this summer.

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