Birds
In this year's bird count, the blackbird reached a record high of 52,364 observed individuals, according to Birdlife Sweden. The great tit tops the list as usual, while the number of participants rose to 19,000 due to winter weather. The count took place over the weekend and highlights changes in bird populations.
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Scientists have outlined three evolutionary stages of consciousness, from basic alarm responses to self-awareness, suggesting it is an ancient trait shared widely across species. New research highlights that birds exhibit forms of sensory perception and self-consciousness similar to mammals, challenging previous assumptions about its origins. This framework, known as the ALARM theory, emphasizes survival and social functions.
An international team of researchers has discovered that birds across four continents produce nearly identical whining vocalizations to warn against brood parasites. This learned response builds on an innate sound, marking the first known example of such a hybrid vocalization in animals. The findings, published October 3 in Nature Ecology and Evolution, highlight how natural selection shapes cooperative communication.
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Researchers have discovered that 20 different bird species can recognize and respond to each other's warning calls against cuckoos, a common brood parasite. This finding highlights a rare level of cross-species communication in the animal kingdom. The study, based on observations in Japan, was published on September 25, 2024.