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Bar headed goose (Anser indicus) in a V formation. | Photo Credit: K.V.S. Giri The V-formation we have all seen growing up is commonly seen in migratory birds like cranes, pelicans, and ducks. It consists of a bird leader up front and the others trailing behind. Each one keeps a precise position relative to the…
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Nearly all birds with bright red, orange, and yellow feathers or bills use a group of pigments called carotenoids to produce their colours. | Photo Credit: Shutterstock Across the animal kingdom, birds are some of the most colourful creatures of all. But how did all the amazingly coloured different bird species arise? Nearly all birds…
Read More “Thanks to two special genes, a single atom can change the colour of a bird” »
Part of the answer about how birds fly in a coordinated and effortless way lies in precise, and previously unknown, aerodynamic interactions, mathematicians have found. The researchers found that flow-mediated interactions between neighbours are, in effect, spring-like forces that hold each member in place. However, these ‘springs’ act in only one direction — a lead bird…
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The largest-ever study of bird genomes has produced a remarkably clear picture of the bird family tree. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The largest-ever study of bird genomes has produced a remarkably clear picture of the bird family tree. Published in the journal Nature today, our study shows that most of the modern groups of birds…
Read More “Bird species exploded after dinos’ doom, largest yet bird genetics study says” »