The Origin And Evolution of Poisonous Birds

“Amongst vertebrates, we know there are poisonous frogs, reptiles, fishes and now we know there are poisonous birds too!”

#SciComm by @grrlscientist

#poison #birds #physiology #ornithology
https://grrlscientist.medium.com/the-origin-and-evolution-of-poisonous-birds-4d66fa3d2df1

WOW! i have a “trending” tag next to my name-calling parrots piece! that’s never happened to one of my pieces before …

#SciComm #parrots #ornithology https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2026/05/14/parrots-use-proper-names-like-humans-do-to-call-out-individuals/

Parrots Use Proper Names Like Humans Do To Call Out Individuals

"Parrots may use names like humans do, showing signs of social understanding and individual recognition."

#SciComm by @grrlscientist

#Vocalizations #ornithology #behavior #ecology https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2026/05/14/parrots-use-proper-names-like-humans-do-to-call-out-individuals/

How hummingbirds live at high altitudes

"New research finds that hummingbird species living at high altitudes have independently evolved hemoglobin with enhanced oxygen-binding properties so they can thrive in oxygen-poor environments."

#SciComm by @grrlscientist

#birds #ecology #physiology #evolution https://grrlscientist.medium.com/how-hummingbirds-live-at-high-altitudes-69b4761069b1

This Biological Battery Inspired By Electric Eels Could Soon Power Your Pacemaker

"Sometimes used by aquariums and zoos to light Christmas trees, electric eels are teaching scientists how to create bio-batteries that can keep your implantable medical devices functioning forever (well, almost)"

#SciComm by @grrlscientist

#ElectricEel #fish #pacemaker #batteries https://grrlscientist.medium.com/this-biological-battery-inspired-by-electric-eels-could-soon-power-your-pacemaker-4efe8bda4a73

Clever Cockatoo Manufactures And Uses Tools

"Not known to manufacture or use tools in the wild, a captive cockatoo demonstrates that parrots can make tools to suit their needs"

#SciComm by @grrlscientist

#cognition #ToolUse #Cockatoos #ornithology https://grrlscientist.medium.com/clever-cockatoo-manufactures-and-uses-tools-350214a04362

Sensing Longitude Amongst Migratory Birds

"Migratory songbirds solved the longitude problem long before humans came down from the trees, yet we are only beginning to understand how birds deal with this incredibly difficult problem"

#SciComm by @grrlscientist

#Longitude #Navigation #Migration #MagneticFields https://grrlscientist.medium.com/sensing-longitude-amongst-migratory-birds-a6150ec16a10

Indigenous Communities Report Dramatic Loss of Large Bird Species Over 80 Years

"As the global avian extinction crisis accelerates, the loss of large-bodied birds is destroying local biodiversity and ecology, and eroding the cultural memory of Indigenous Peoples."

#SciComm by @grrlscientist

#IndigenousPeoples #Birds #BiodiversityLoss #Ecocide https://grrlscientist.medium.com/indigenous-communities-report-dramatic-loss-of-large-bird-species-over-80-years-5165822406af

Complex Communication In Wild Yellow‐Naped Amazon Parrots

"Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrots use complex, warbling duets in very specific ways to argue over territory."

#SciComm by @grrlscientist

#communication #behavior #Parrots #ornithology https://grrlscientist.medium.com/complex-communication-in-wild-yellow-naped-amazon-parrots-21f798f39375

Predictable evolution is bad news for toads, good news for their predators

"Under certain circumstances, the process of evolution can be highly predictable, especially when there are limited solutions to a particular problem, such as resistance to dangerous toxins"

#SciComm by @grrlscientist

#evolution #poisons #phylogenetics #Australia https://grrlscientist.medium.com/predictable-evolution-is-bad-news-for-toads-good-news-for-their-predators-7260c33dc54c