Seabirds that swallow ocean plastic waste have scarring in their stomachs – scientists have named this disease 'plasticosis'

Many marine animals, birds and fish are ingesting plastic. New research identifies the first named health effect from it.

Matthew Savoca, Postdoctoral researcher, Stanford University • conversation
March 21, 2023 ~9 min

Is bird flu behind New England seal deaths?

A new study links a wave of bird flu to the deaths of more than 330 New England harbor and gray seals along the North Atlantic coast in 2022.

Angela Nelson-Tufts • futurity
March 16, 2023 ~9 min


As bird flu continues to spread in the US and worldwide, what's the risk that it could start a human pandemic? 4 questions answered

Avian influenza viruses have evolved to infect birds, but the current H5N1 outbreak is also infecting a wide range of mammals. This suggests that it could mutate into forms that threaten humans.

Sharon Wu, PhD Student in Interdisciplinary Quantitative Biology and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
March 16, 2023 ~9 min

How free-range eggs became the norm in supermarkets – and sold customers a lie

Though preferable to battery farms, free-range eggs are not as safe and ethical as customers think.

Joel Mead, PhD Candidate in History, University of Liverpool • conversation
March 13, 2023 ~6 min

How COVID lockdowns triggered changes in peregrine falcon diets – and what this means for urban pest control

Lockdown wasn’t good news for London’s peregrine falcons.

Ed Drewitt, PhD student studying the diet of urban peregrines, University of Bristol • conversation
March 10, 2023 ~7 min

How we discovered flamingos form cliques, just like humans

It’s endearing to think of these glamorous pink birds finding the friendship group they fit into. But navigating flamingo social lives can help with conservation too.

Paul Rose, Lecturer, University of Exeter • conversation
March 8, 2023 ~7 min

Why prey animals often see threats where there are none – and how it costs them

False alarms are common in prey animals, but what causes them and how can they be avoided?

Mike Webster, Lecturer, School of Biology, University of St Andrews • conversation
March 2, 2023 ~7 min

Biologists discovered a new species of tiny owl on the forested island of Príncipe, and it's already under threat – Podcast

A local legend of a mysterious bird with big eyes grew into the discovery of the Príncipe scops owl. A biologist on the team tells the story of finding and cataloging this new species.

Daniel Merino, Associate Science Editor & Co-Host of The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation • conversation
Feb. 27, 2023 ~4 min


What is spillover? Bird flu outbreak underscores need for early detection to prevent the next big pandemic

A biologist who studies how viruses spread from animals to people explains the process of spillover and the risks posed by the new bird flu that has spread across the globe.

Treana Mayer, Postdoctoral Fellow in Microbiology, Colorado State University • conversation
Feb. 24, 2023 ~7 min

Girl Dies from Bird Flu in Cambodia

VOA Learning English • voa
Feb. 23, 2023 ~4 min

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