Why Birds Never Go Gray

Why Birds Never Go Gray

Birds use sophisticated changes to the structure of their feathers, not dyes and pigments, to create multi-colored plumage, and that is why they never go gray.  Using X-ray scattering at the…
Parrots Use Tools, Say Psychologists

Parrots Use Tools, Say Psychologists

Psychologists say they have evidence of tool use by greater vasa parrots (Coracopsis vasa). They determined this by studying ten captive parrots and seeing that the birds adopt a novel tool-using…
Female Sex Cannibals: Not Angry, Just Picky

Female Sex Cannibals: Not Angry, Just Picky

A new study challenges the popular idea that sexual cannibalism occurs because a female is unable to alter or 'tone down' her aggressive mindset after foraging and hunting for prey. Instead, …
When Hippos Become Carnivores

When Hippos Become Carnivores

People often think hippos are herbivores with big smiling faces. Every now and then, reports of a hippo of hunting down prey, eating a carcass, or stealing prey from a crocodile are heard, but they'…
Armor With Eyes

Armor With Eyes

The armored shells of some marine mollusks have evolved to satisfy two conflicting design requirements, protection and sight, a new study shows. Although many biological tissues serve more than one…