Bioaccumulation and age-dependent risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) in tropical Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) from South China
September 2026
Exposure and risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) to juvenile birds are complex due to the transient nature of biological processes when chicks grow. This study quantified the concentrations...
Spatial movements and habitat use of an opportunistic gull species in relation to their colony sites during the breeding season
September 2026
The Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) is a widespread and opportunistic central-place forager during the breeding season, yet its spatial behavior and habitat use in Adriatic Sea remain poorly...
Adapting to the concrete jungle: Urbanization increases the use of anthropogenic nesting materials by Azure-winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyanus)
September 2026
Rapid urbanization has resulted in a substantial decrease in natural habitats, posing considerable challenges to bird survival. Bird nests, which are temporary structures used for breeding, reflect...
Oxidative stress constrains avian mate choice: Experimental evidence for song- and testosterone-mediated pathways in Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia castanotis)
September 2026
Oxidative stress is proposed as a key physiological mediator of reproduction, yet the specific pathways through which it influences avian mate choice remain poorly understood. Here, we experimentally...
Seasonal dietary shifts in waterbirds modify the dispersal potential for invertebrate resting eggs
September 2026
Waterbirds play a crucial role in endozoochory, facilitating the dispersal of invertebrates through the gut passage of resting eggs. They adjust their digestive processes and tract morphology in response...
Post-glacial expansion and migration-drift balance shape the genetic structure of the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) across its range
September 2026
Understanding range-wide genetic diversity, population structure and connectivity is fundamental for evaluating the evolutionary potential and conservation needs of a species. The Dalmatian Pelican...
Temporal responses of the wintering waterbird communities in Shengjin Lake to environmental factors revealed by high-frequency intelligent monitoring system
September 2026
Exploring dynamic responses of wildlife to habitat changes is vital to inform conservation strategies. However, monitoring frequency is often limited for wild animals, impeding fine-grained understanding...
Seasonal assembly mechanisms of wintering waterbird communities in isolated lakes within an intensive agricultural landscape
September 2026
Understanding how community assembly vary across seasons is critical for wetland biodiversity conservation, especially in fragmented, human-dominated landscapes. Yet, most studies overlook fine-scale...
Migratory birds shape potential haemosporidian transmission through a parasite-sharing network
September 2026
Migration is one typical behavior that can affect parasite composition and transmission in local host communities, as migratory hosts are often heavily infected and may serve as a ‘vehicle’ to transmit...
Habitat types and functional traits mediate differentiated response of birds assemblage to super typhoon
September 2026
The proportion of intense tropical cyclones is projected to increase under climate change, posing growing threats to global biodiversity. However, most existing research has been conducted in the North...
Evolutionary and ecological processes drive the global diversity of the avian family Paridae
September 2026
Understanding how biodiversity is formed and maintained, is a key topic in both ecology and conservation biology. Both ecological and evolutionary processes jointly shape community assembly and maintain...
Building and assessing the ecological networks of a cold-region city: A resilience perspective using “urban avoiders” as indicators
September 2026
Rapid urbanization has accelerated biodiversity loss and ecosystem instability, particularly in ecologically fragile cold-region cities. As a critical node along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway,...
Nanostructural determinants of angle-dependent iridescent coloration in two peafowl species
September 2026
Structural colors arise from light interacting with nanoscale architectures, yet the relationships between multiple nanostructural features and their optical properties remain poorly understood. Peafowl...
Automated bird sound recognition in ecology: A methodological review and application framework
September 2026
Automated bird sound recognition (ABSR) has emerged as a transformative tool for avian ecology and conservation, offering an unprecedented ability to monitor biodiversity non-invasively across vast...
Indirect fitness benefits of cognitive investment: Head size predicts adaptive nest-site selection in Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica)
September 2026
Cognitive traits such as brain size are hypothesized to influence avian reproductive strategies, yet the ecological mechanisms linking neural investment to fitness under natural conditions remain underexplored....
Climate driven rapid northward expansion of a songbird from subtropical to warm temperate zones: Dispersal corridors and future suitable habitat
September 2026
While it is well established that climate change is driving species toward higher latitudes, the spatiotemporal dynamics of dispersal—particularly from subtropical to warm-temperate zones—remain poorly...
Migration of Brown-headed Gulls on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Potential transmission routes for highly pathogenic H5Nx virus
September 2026
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau serves as a critical hub along the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) and a recognized hotspot for the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses. Despite recurrent...
Penguins at the freshwater–marine boundary: Overlooked ecological linkages and climate-change risks
September 2026
Penguins are usually framed as marine predators, yet freshwater can strongly alter the environments in which they forage, breed and survive. This narrative mini review synthesises evidence for how river...
Like father, like son? Similarity of syllable repertoires and structures in the songs of first-year male Tree Pipits and their potential tutors
September 2026
Birdsong in oscine passerines is socially learned, but the relative influence of different tutors in the wild remains unclear for many species. We examined song acquisition in the Tree Pipit (Anthus...
Behavioral innovation correlates with broader climatic niche breadths in birds
September 2026
Behavioral innovation, defined as the ability to exhibit novel behaviors that may contribute to problem-solving and adaptability, has been increasingly recognized as a key factor in species’ resilience...
Metagenomic analysis of vitamins B and K2 biosynthesis by gut microbiota in wild birds
June 2026
The role of gut microbiota in vitamin biosynthesis in wild birds, which is essential for understanding avian health and ecological adaptation, remains largely unexplored. In this study, metagenomic...
Patterns and drivers of waterbird alpha and beta diversity are different between arid and humid regions of China
June 2026
Waterbirds are vital for wetland ecosystems, but climate change and human activities are harming these habitats globally, reducing biodiversity and threatening waterbird survival. In China, wetlands...
Effects of wind and temperature on the migration decisions of a short-distance migratory shorebird across the annual cycle
June 2026
Elucidating the spatial-temporal characteristics and influencing factors of migration activities is the basis for understanding the life cycle of migratory birds and for making conservation measures....
Estradiol acutely modifies singing patterns via modulating the synaptic activity of RA in Zebra Finches
June 2026
Songbirds serve as an appealing animal model for evaluating the hormonal influences on the regulation of fine motor skills, particularly in relation to vocal production. The influence of estrogens on...
Unraveling the spatial patterns and driving mechanisms of avian functional assemblages in the agro-pastoral ecosystems of the Tibetan Plateau
June 2026
China's new national park system prioritizes the conservation of large-scale ecosystems to maintain ecological integrity, exemplified by Qilian Mountain National Park (QMNP) in northwestern China. QMNP...