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


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

In defence of vultures, nature's early-warning systems that are holy to many people

Vultures help protect us from disease and in many cultures they are a symbol of strength and wisdom.

Esther Kettel, Senior Lecturer in Ecology and Conservation, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Feb. 22, 2023 ~7 min

Bahamas songbird is under threat of extinction -- but preserving old pine forests will help save it

The Bahama warbler favours large pine trees and palms, fieldwork shows.

Nigel Collar, Honorary Professor of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia • conversation
Feb. 10, 2023 ~6 min

Chickadees, titmice and nuthatches flocking together benefit from a diversity bonus – so do other animals, including humans

Scientists are learning that diversity has many perks – whether in multispecies groups of animals or human society.

Todd M. Freeberg, Professor and Associate Head of Psychology, University of Tennessee • conversation
Feb. 7, 2023 ~6 min

How did birds survive while dinosaurs went extinct?

Birds and dinosaurs lived together for millions of years, but only toothless birds survived the asteroid impact that upended life on Earth.

Chris Lituma, Assistant Professor of Wildlife and Fisheries Resources, West Virginia University • conversation
Feb. 6, 2023 ~5 min

Mini creatures with mighty voices know their audience and focus on a single frequency

From insects to birds to bats to frogs, these little loudmouths have found ingenious ways to deliver their messages at high volume.

Bernard Lohr, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
Jan. 31, 2023 ~6 min


How we cracked the mystery of Australia's prehistoric giant eggs

A puzzle over the identity of an extinct bird that laid eggs across Australia has been solved.

Gifford Miller, Distinguished Professor of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Jan. 24, 2023 ~8 min

Fossil study brings us one step closer to revealing how 'flying dinosaurs' took flight

Prehistoric reptiles like pterodactyls took flight long before bats and birds, but we don’t know how it happened.

Ben Igielman, PhD Candidate, Palaeontology, University of Oxford • conversation
Jan. 17, 2023 ~6 min

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