| From: Brumar89 | 5/24/2024 3:05:04 PM | | | | | | Crows Can Actually Count Out Loud, Amazing New Study Shows
NATURE24 May 2024
By MICHELLE STARR
 A carrion crow. (Alexis Lours/iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0)
It's no secret that corvids are capable of some amazing feats of creative and intelligent thinking, but a newly discovered ability has us stunned.
A team of scientists has shown that crows can 'count' out loud – producing a specific and deliberate number of caws in response to visual and auditory cues. While other animals such as honeybees have shown an ability to understand numbers, this specific manifestation of numeric literacy has not yet been observed in any other non-human species.
"Producing a specific number of vocalizations with purpose requires a sophisticated combination of numerical abilities and vocal control," writes the team of researchers led by neuroscientist Diana Liao of the University of Tübingen in Germany.
"Whether this capacity exists in animals other than humans is yet unknown. We show that crows can flexibly produce variable numbers of one to four vocalizations in response to arbitrary cues associated with numerical values."
The ability to count aloud is distinct from understanding numbers. It requires not only that understanding, but purposeful vocal control with the aim of communication. Humans are known to use speech to count numbers and communicate quantities, an ability taught young.
When toddlers are learning to count, learning the specific numbers associated with specific quantities can take a bit of time to master. In the interim, children can sometimes use random numbers to make a vocal tally. Instead of counting "one, two, three," they might say "one, one, four," or "three, ten, one." The number of vocalizations is correct, but the words themselves are jumbled.
The biological origin of symbolic counting is unknown, but since crows are known to understand difficult numerical concepts such as zero, Liao and colleagues thought they represented a good candidate for investigating more sophisticated number skills.
 A diagram illustrating the experiment. ( Liao et al., Science, 2024)They conducted their study on three carrion crows ( Corvus corone), which the researchers trained to produce a variable number of vocalizations, between one and four, upon being shown an arbitrary symbol or audio cue. Once they had produced the requisite number of caws, the crows then had to peck a target to signify that they were done.
All three crows, the researchers found, were able to produce the correct number of caws in response to the cues, with the occasional error mostly presenting as one caw too many or too few.
This, the researchers say, is similar to the way human toddlers count, using a non-symbolic approximate number system that is planned in advance before the first vocalization.
Interestingly, the timing and sound of the first vocalization in a sequence were linked to how many vocalizations were made subsequently, and each vocalization in a sequence had acoustic features specific to its place in that sequence.
The feat is especially impressive for crows since deliberate vocalizations are more difficult to produce and have longer reaction times than, say, pecks or head movements.
It could indicate a previously unknown channel for avian communication in the wild. Chickadees, for instance, produce a greater number of "dee" sounds in their alarm calls for larger predators.
"Our results demonstrate that crows can flexibly and deliberately produce an instructed number of vocalizations by using the 'approximate number system', a non-symbolic number estimation system shared by humans and animals," the researchers write in their paper.
"This competency in crows also mirrors toddlers' enumeration skills before they learn to understand cardinal number words and may therefore constitute an evolutionary precursor of true counting where numbers are part of a combinatorial symbol system."
The research has been published in Science. |
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| From: Brumar89 | 6/7/2024 5:46:16 PM | | | | | | The only completely red bird in North America, the strawberry-colored male Summer Tanager is an eye-catching sight against the green leaves of the forest canopy. The mustard-yellow female is harder to spot, though both sexes have a very distinctive chuckling call note. Fairly common during the summer, these birds migrate as far as the middle of South America each winter. All year long they specialize in catching bees and wasps on the wing, somehow avoiding being stung by their catches.
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| From: Brumar89 | 6/11/2024 4:12:09 PM | | | | | | 
Beautiful little American Redstart. A lively warbler that hops among tree branches in search of insects, the male American Redstart is coal-black with vivid orange patches on the sides, wings, and tail. True to its Halloween-themed color scheme, the redstart seems to startle its prey out of the foliage by flashing its strikingly patterned tail and wing feathers. Females and immature males have more subdued yellow “flash patterns” on a gray background. These sweet-singing warblers nest in open woodlands across much of North America. |
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| From: Brumar89 | 6/13/2024 1:59:59 PM | | | | | |
The Red-winged Blackbird is a familiar sight atop cattails, along soggy roadsides, and on telephone wires. Glossy-black males have scarlet-and-yellow shoulder patches they can puff up or hide depending on how confident they feel. Females are a subdued, streaky brown, almost like a large, dark sparrow. Their early and tumbling song are happy indications of the return of spring.
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| From: Brumar89 | 6/14/2024 6:46:13 AM | | | | | | .....
An international team of scientists researched the complex relationship to unearth relationship secrets between the black-chinned hummingbirds, northern goshawks, and Cooper's hawks. They set up shop at the Southwest Research Station, in the Chiricahua Mountains, located in southeastern Arizona to study 342 hummingbird nests. The "trait-mediated trophic cascade" phenomenon first published in the Science Advances journal reveals that hummers cluster their nests beneath hawks, with only 20% brave enough to not build their nests in the immediate vicinity of raptor nests. The study also revealed that the tiny species has a higher chance of reproductive success if the area serves as a hawk's home, too.
The heightened success can be attributed to a "jay-free cone," colloquially dubbed as the "cone of protection". To elaborate, hawks are known to hunt their prey from above and grab them in their powerful talons before flying away and making a snack of them. Since hummers nest beneath hawk nests to remain protected, jays have to adapt and fly above a raptor's nest to avoid becoming its meal of the day, effectively avoiding hummingbird nests in the process. In fact, hummer nests lying in the cone of safety (extending to about 170 meters wide) had a 31% daily survival rate as compared to 6% for the ones outside. Proximity matters, too. The closer the raptor nest; better the protection hummingbirds enjoy.
Read More: housedigest.com |
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| From: Brumar89 | 6/20/2024 2:28:14 PM | | | | | |
12 Fiery Red Birds You Might Be Seeing Around Your Yard & Garden (msn.com)
summer tanager singing© Kevin Mcdonald/Getty Images
Wondering which feathered friends have been visiting your backyard bird feeder? There are many scarlet-colored birds that you may be seeing, ranging from beautiful songbirds to cousins of the northern cardinal. If you're eager to identify the fiery red visitors in your yard and garden, we've created a guide that will help you do just that. From scarlet tanagers to vermillion flycatchers to red-faced warblers, there are so many to see. Grab your camera and prepare to snap some photos, so you can figure out which red-feathered beauties are frequenting your feeder.
All of these birds are at least part-time residents of North America, but some are very particular about the habitats they settle in. Residents of southwestern states may be fortunate enough to spot the more exotic birds on this list, but there are plenty of stunning crimson birds to see in other parts of the continent as well. Without further delay, let's take a look at some of the most notable beautiful red birds that you might see soaring around your home.
Northern Cardinal
cardinal on perch© SEHAB0/Shutterstock
When it comes to common red colored birds, few are as recognizable as the stunning northern cardinal. Native to many parts of North America, this bird can be found in both urban environments and secluded forests. Male cardinals have striking bright red bodies and feathered tufts on their heads. Northern cardinals are not deterred by cold weather, so you may spot them in your yard even in the winter. If you wish to see more of them around, you can attract cardinals to your garden by planting greenery that they love.
Pine Grosbeak
pine grosbeak on branch© Pchoui/Getty Images
Found in forested regions of North America, pine grosbeaks are round red-colored birds that are part of the finch family. These birds are larger than they appear to be in photos; in fact, they make other finches look small. They also tend to move slower than other birds, making them easy to observe in trees. Unlike cardinals, pine grosbeaks have patches of red plumage and gray wings with white markings. They are spotted year-round in most of Canada and many parts of the U.S., except for the southern states.
White Winged Crossbill
White Winged Crossbill© Michalicenko/Shutterstock
Keep your eyes peeled for the white winged crossbill in the spring and summertime. In the warmer months, the males molt their feathers and transform into gorgeous shades of red. White winged crossbills are found in North America and throughout Europe. They typically frequent forests, but can also be found in parks and backyard feeders, especially if there are spruce trees present. They travel in big flocks, which are fun to observe, as these birds love to chatter and hang upside down in the trees. Their name comes from their distinctive crossed beak.
Scarlet Tanager
scarlet tanager on branch© Saurabh13/Getty Images
Arguably one of the prettiest red birds on our list, scarlet tanagers are characterized by their stunning scarlet plumage contrasted with their black wingspan and tail feathers. They flock south in the winter and head to the eastern U.S. and southeastern Canada in the summer months to breed. Scarlet tanagers have a sweet tooth and are known to feast on wild berries. These birds are about the same size as robins and produce a similar call. You just may need your binoculars to spot them, as they love to hangout in the treetops.
Summer Tanager
summer tanager on branch© Paul Lowery/Getty Images
Like scarlet tanagers, summer tanagers are known for their breathtaking appearance. According to Cornell University's Cornell Lab of Ornithology, male scarlet tanagers are the only birds in North America that are completely red all the way through. Another fascinating fact about them is that they are a wasp-eating bird. They catch wasps and bees in their beaks and remove the stinger on a branch before popping them in their mouths. They migrate down to South America and return to the southern and eastern U.S. to breed, where they prefer to hang out in oak trees.
Red-Faced Warbler
Red-Faced Warbler on perch© Griffin Gillespie/Shutterstock
Residents of Mexico, as well as Arizona and New Mexico, may be lucky enough to spot the beautiful red-faced warbler around their homes. These birds have distinct red faces and black crescent on their heads, grayish bellies and dark gray wings. They tend to frequent mature forests at high elevations, and sadly, their habitat is under threat due to logging. Catch them migrating to the tropics from mid-September to April and returning to the U.S. for breeding. They are known to nest on the ground and forage high up in the trees.
Common Redpoll
Common Redpoll in flight© Mirceax/Getty Images
Common redpolls may be little, but they are resilient creatures. They can withstand freezing winter temperatures and are found across Canada and most of the northern and central U.S. They travel in flocks and have bright red markings on their heads that make them easy to recognize. Male common redpolls also have reddish plumage on their bellies. These birds love to visit feeders, so there is a good chance you will spot a group of them in your yard sometime. At night, they are known to dig deep tunnels into the snow for shelter.
House Finch
red house finch on perch© Tony Quinn/Shutterstock
You have likely seen these rose-colored birds in your yard and neighborhood parks. Their song is recognizable and is especially loud when they gather in large flocks, usually in trees and shrubs. Although house finches are not nearly as crimson-colored as other birds on this list, the males are dappled in a reddish shade that makes them easy to spot. Depending on their food source, some male house finches will appear more red than others. They love to visit feeders and hang out in trees at parks and in urban areas.
Red Crossbill
red crossbill on perch© Dark_Side/Shutterstock
These unique birds are found all over North America. Male red crossbills have red plumage and darker reddish wings. They are known to travel far and wide across the continent, frequenting conifer forests, parks, and feeders. Not all red crossbills are the same — experts now estimate that there are eight different species of this bird. Each species has a different size, diet, behavior pattern, and song. Scientists and bird enthusiasts are fascinated by red crossbills for this reason. Keep an eye out for these birds and you may be able to spot the differences between the species.
Vermilion Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher© Carlos Cabal/Shutterstock
These gorgeous red and dark gray birds are most common in the southwestern U.S., as well as Central and South America. However, they are capable of wandering and have been spotted up in Minnesota, Maryland, and even British Columbia. Male vermilion flycatchers have fiery red plumage and feathered tufts on their heads. They are small but fierce predators, waiting on the tops of fences and shrubs to pounce on flying insects as they pass by. It's a bird you will want in your yard if you're looking for a natural insect control solution.
Pyrrhuloxia
Pyrrhuloxia on perch© Wmarissen/Getty Images
These desert-dwelling birds are a cousin of northern cardinals and are also known as "desert cardinals." They look somewhat the same and produce a similar sound. Unlike cardinals, pyrrhuloxias have swatches of red on their faces, wings, and bellies. If you put sunflower seeds into your feeder, you will likely spot them visiting your yard in search of food. Residents of the southwestern U.S., where deserts and mesquites are part of the landscape, may be lucky enough to spot these birds. On hot days, you may even find them trying to enjoy your air conditioning next to your patio door.
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak© The_Rigel/Shutterstock
Male rose-breasted grosbeaks are characterized by the spot on their chest that resembles a bright red rose petal. They are found in forests, woodland landscapes, and backyard feeders all over the eastern and central U.S. and across Canada, from the Atlantic provinces into British Columbia. They migrate south to Central and South America. Stock your feeder with peanuts, sunflower seeds, and safflower seeds, and wait for these unique-looking birds to visit your yard. They have a beautiful song that sounds similar to the American robin, but even sweeter. |
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