The global wildlife trade is an enormous market – the US imports billions of animals from nearly 30,000 species

Understanding the number and origin of animals entering a country is important to control the health and ecological problems imported wildlife can bring.

Andrew Rhyne, Associate Professor of Marine Biology, Roger Williams University • conversation
Jan. 28, 2025 ~8 min

Five animals that behave differently in moonlight

New technology is allowing scientists to discover unexpected behaviour linked to the Moon’s cycle.

Anders Hedenström, Professor of Theoretical Ecology, Lund University • conversation
Nov. 12, 2024 ~8 min


Why seagulls don’t want your chips as much as you might think

Seagulls have an innate preference for fish and mussels rather than your chips, research shows.

Neeltje Boogert, Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow, University of Exeter • conversation
Aug. 29, 2024 ~5 min

Could dinosaurs still exist somewhere in the world? A paleontologist explains

It’s fun to imagine secret dinosaur survivors living today, hidden in a remote corner of Earth. But the truth of who made it through the extinction event 66 million years ago may surprise you.

Hans Sues, Senior Research Geologist and Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, Smithsonian Institution • conversation
Aug. 12, 2024 ~7 min

Counter-drug strategies in Central America are worsening deforestation, threatening many species of birds

Central America’s forests are critically important habitat for many forest birds, including endangered species. Narco-traffickers are cutting down trees, leaving birds with nowhere to go.

Amanda D. Rodewald, Professor of Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University • conversation
July 23, 2024 ~7 min

How studying (robot) pigeon navigation changed my mind about their intellect

A scientist who wanted to show pigeons don’t need intellect to navigate was surprised by nuances in his own study findings.

Edwin Dalmaijer, Lecturer in Psychological Science, University of Bristol • conversation
June 6, 2024 ~7 min

How genes shape birdsong, even when birds grow up far from home

It may not be obvious to the human ear but birds of the same species sing in different dialects.

Samyuktha Rajan, PhD candidate in Behavioural Ecology‬, Stockholm University • conversation
May 28, 2024 ~6 min

New fossil brings us a step closer to unravelling the mystery of feather evolution

Understanding more about feathers could change the way we think about dinosaurs.

Maria McNamara, Professor, Palaeobiology, University College Cork • conversation
May 21, 2024 ~7 min


How newborn chicks are helping to settle a centuries-old debate about cognition and our senses

Philosophers have been debating whether we need conditioning to link information from different senses for centuries.

Elisabetta Versace, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Queen Mary University of London • conversation
May 17, 2024 ~7 min

The joy of birdwatching: research shows it can improve mental health and foster a sense of wellbeing

Twitching can help promote feelings of positivity, improve mood and foster an affinity with nature

Jolanta Burke, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Positive Health Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences • conversation
May 17, 2024 ~6 min

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