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birds

common swift (Apus apus) in flight; Shutterstock ID 1463746268; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Life

Common swifts enter hibernation-like torpor on cold nights

When the common swift is nesting, it sometimes enters an energy-saving “torpor” state that is a bit like hibernation

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Common Crossbill

Life

Male crossbills grow redder feathers when they exercise harder

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plumage of Purple Starling (Lamprotornis purpureus)

Life

Songbirds are more colourful the closer they live to the equator

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Carrion crow (Corvus corone) black bird portrait of head and looking at camera. Wildlife in nature. Netherlands; Shutterstock ID 1928268914; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Life

Crows may owe their intelligence to an abundance of certain neurons

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An ostrich (Struthio camelus) on a dune against a blue sky, Kalahari desert, South Africa ; Shutterstock ID 2129799884; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Life

Ostrich necks act as a radiator to control their head temperature

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A New Caledonian storm petrel pattering across the sea

Life

Seabird discovered by science this year may be critically endangered

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Why are flamingos pink?

Question

Why are flamingos pink?

Monk parakeet is looking at camera with curiosity expression. Quaker parrot is sitting on mans shoulder at home. ; Shutterstock ID 1047353692; purchase_order: 5 March 2022; job: Culture 12th March 2022; client: NS; other:

Humans

The Parrot in the Mirror review: Why humans evolved to be like birds

Culture

Wild Wild Life newsletter: When species steal each other’s genes

Environment

Wild Wild Life newsletter: When species steal each other’s genes

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A barn owl in flight

Physics

Giving drones barn owl-like tails may make them more efficient flyers

The barn owl’s tail has a surprisingly important role to play in making the bird more aerodynamic

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Life

Migrating birds may use slope of Earth’s magnetic field as ‘stop sign’

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Video

Gentoo penguins found breeding further south due to climate change

Video

Life

Fairywren birds can nest out of breeding season to boost numbers

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Mind

Meet the scientists who perform magic tricks on birds

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