All stories
8 March 2022
Changes to bird behaviour linked to climate change
A new study from researchers at ANU rolls back the curtain on half a century of evidence detailing the impact of climate change on more than 60 different bird species.
7 December 2022
The quest to see the world’s most beautiful birds
The superb fairy-wren, marvellous spatuletail, king bird-of-paradise ... why do some end up with superlative names, and do they deserve them? One twitcher is travelling the globe to find out.
4 June 2024
Clever cockies: the social and innovative birds living in our cities
Through the Clever Cockie Project, Dr Julia Penndorf is tracking all the odd but fascinating behaviours cockatoos get up to in urban environments.
14 February 2024
Australia's most at-risk bird species share some common traits
Australian birds that live on islands are among the species most at risk of extinction, a first-of-its-kind ANU study has shown.
13 November 2023
Chough love: what's behind the strange antics of the white-winged chough?
The white-winged chough may be a little rough around the edges, but that's all part of their charm for two ANU experts.
13 September 2023
Palm cockatoos beat to their own drum
Australia’s palm cockatoos each have their own sense of style when it comes to crafting their musical tools, a new study has found.
20 October 2022
'It's like a soap opera': The secret lives of superb fairy-wrens
An ANU researcher has spent 30 years observing superb fairy-wrens.
12 September 2022
The dark side of ducks
Be warned, behind every cute duckling is a protective parent, ready to attack and defend.
1 September 2022
How to survive magpie swooping season
Nothing marks the beginning of spring like the ominous swoosh of a magpie’s wings. Why do magpies swoop and how can you avoid becoming their next victim?
1 March 2020
Honeyeaters send lightning-fast warning signals
New Holland honeyeaters are experts at sounding the alarm when there’s danger, according to new research from biologists at The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Cambridge. Study authors, Dr Jessica McLachlan and Professor Rob Magrath, found honeyeaters can spread the word in the blink of an eye, using a two-stage alarm. It’s particularly effective when they are threatened by fast-moving birds of prey. “When a hawk is swooping down, its target has only a fraction of a second to flee to cover – a split second can make the difference between life and death,” Dr McLachlan said. “But animals often signal urgent danger using repeated notes, which makes sure others hear the warning but it takes a long time to deliver. “So there’s…
16 December 2020
Ringo Starr of the bird world heading for extinction
New research from ANU shows palm cockatoos, renowned for their human-like musical drumming behaviour, are threatened with extinction.
30 July 2024
Are you smarter than a Neanderthal?
Neanderthals were more intelligent than you might realise. ANU researcher Eboni Westbury says it’s time we appreciate the complexity of our extinct human relatives.
26 June 2024
High fliers: pleasure-seeking parrots are using aromatic plants, stinky ants and alcohol
Norfolk Island green parrots are self-medicating with pepper tree bark and leaves to rid themselves of parasites. But is there more to it?
2 March 2023
The truth behind the quest to find the elusive night parrot
The rediscovery of the night parrot made headlines around the world. But all was not as it seemed, as ANU researcher Dr Penny Olsen uncovered.