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Are Redpolls Just One Species?

10,000 Birds

That impressive number is a testament to the exponential advances in DNA-sequencing technology, but the researchers are quick to note it’s still less than 1% of the total genome.). Furthermore, another redpoll species found in Europe—the Lesser Redpoll—also had extremely similar DNA sequences.

Species 258
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New Research Examines How, and Where, Birds Fly

10,000 Birds

It reports on research that attempted to uncover whether flight originally started as a running leap, or a misdirected fall. The authors, whose paper appears in Biology Letters , emphasize that no baby birds were harmed during the research. Researchers plotted eBird sightings against satellite imagery of U.S. The verdict?

Research 220
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A Guide to Some Possible Bird Species Splits in Costa Rica

10,000 Birds

These and several other species might end up being armchair ticks if and when we take a closer look at their evolutionary history. Taxa that could end up being split into one species occurring north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and one south of the isthmus. (2). Two subspecies of the same species that differ within Costa Rica. (4).

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Grallards: New Zealand’s Next Extinction or Newest Species?

10,000 Birds

The obvious choice was the Mallard , that plucky familiar northern hemisphere species that is the father of the even more familiar domesticated duck. In fact, as the species was quickly identified as as creating hybrids with Grey Ducks, the opinion was by the 1920s that the species shouldn’t be released further.

Species 184
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How to Help Cerulean Warblers, Other Migrant Species, and Resident Birds in Costa Rica

10,000 Birds

A wonderful variety of bird species are waiting to be seen and among them are many a birder’s favorite avian group, the wood-warblers. Among the most desired bird species during May migration, brightly colored, beautiful and boldly patterned, how can a birder not get hooked on spring warblers? Great Green Macaw!

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314 U.S. Bird Species Threatened — Many with Extinction — by Global Warming

10,000 Birds

Like any birder visiting a new place, I had a target species list I was hoping to seek out during the one day I had available between business commitments. The climatic changes set in motion by the Industrial Revolution are now proceeding at a pace far greater than many species and ecosystems can adapt to naturally. Black Rosy-Finch.

Species 197
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How The Bird Got Its Beak

10,000 Birds

The feature distinguishes birds from other species; All birds have them, no other species do. Beaks vary across different kinds of birds, and this great diversity in beaks is part of the great diversity of the 10,000+ species of birds that exist today; Beaks thus facilitated the diversification of birds. So how did beaks evolve?