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Toothed whales from space: Counting stranded individuals using optical and SAR satellite imagery
Photo credit: 1986 beached whales in Flinders Bay” by Bahnfrend is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cetaceans—whales, dolphins, and porpoises—play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. Their health and population trends serve as indicators of oceanic well-being, helping scientists understand environmental changes and emerging threats. One of the most valuable sources of information about cetacean…
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Monitoring seabird populations on South Georgia: Advancements in remote Sensing
Credit: White-chinned petrel taking off. Photo by François Guerraz. Creative commons licence. South Georgia hosts globally important populations of seabirds, but many of these populations are declining due to human impacts. Four species of albatrosses and white-chinned petrels are particularly affected by bycatch from fishing activities, while South Georgia shags are experiencing declines linked to…
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Exploring eggshell evolution: How surface structure aids bird survival across habitats
Birds are among the most adaptable and widespread tetrapods on Earth, thriving in environments from icy glaciers to arid deserts. One key to this success lies in the remarkable adaptability of their eggs, particularly the diverse structures of their eggshells. By exploring eggshell surface textures and patterns, researchers are uncovering how these features help birds…
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Citizen science campaign: Monitoring wandering albatrosses using very-high resolution satellite imagery
Albatrosses, including the iconic wandering albatross with its record-breaking wingspan, are facing serious threats to their survival. With more than 100,000 albatrosses dying annually as a result of bycatch in longline fisheries, combined with invasive predators and disease, these majestic seabirds are in urgent need of effective conservation actions. Our citizen science campaign, launched as…
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Hunter of scavenger? Predatory behaviour of the extinct Haast’s eagle
Image by Jevgeni Fil from Pixabay Haast’s eagle Harpagornis moorei was once the largest known eagle, weighing in at 20 kg – nearly 50% heavier than the largest modern eagles. This fearsome predator, now extinct, was capable of taking down prey much larger than itself, including the giant moa, which weighed between 20-200 kg. However,…
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Avian eggshell conductance and life history: How birds adapt to extreme climates
Bird embryos rely on their eggshells for the careful exchange of water vapour and gases essential to their survival. This exchange process—called eggshell conductance—is surprisingly sensitive to environmental factors, and it varies across bird species that breed in vastly different habitats. Our recent research explores how climate and life-history traits influence eggshell conductance, aiming to…
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The biological time machine: using whiskers to monitor the behaviour of Tasmanian devils
Efforts to conserve the endangered Tasmanian devil are often hindered by a limited understanding of their behaviour in the wild. To address this, innovative approaches are needed to gather data on their diet and movement patterns. One promising technique involves analysing the stable isotope signatures in animal tissues, which can provide valuable insights into an…
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Raptor talon shape and biomechanical performance determines prey size
Image by Josiane Boute from Pixabay Raptors, or birds of prey such as hawks, vultures, and buzzards, are known for their powerful talons, which are essential for capturing and killing prey. However, despite their significant role in hunting, the variation in talon shape and its impact on a raptor’s ability to capture prey has remained…
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Exploring the secrets of seabird nesting: How guillemots choose the perfect spot
Image by ramonin from Pixabay When it comes to raising a family, many animals, including birds, need to carefully pick the perfect spot to lay their eggs. For seabirds like the common guillemot Uria aalge, this choice is especially important because the wrong spot can leave their eggs vulnerable to predators or the elements. Common…
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Egg shape mimicry in brood parasites
Image credit: Pixabay / laurent.breillat Raising offspring can be a daunting task – one that demands significant time, energy, and resources. But what if you could skip the hard work and leave the burden to someone else? For some species, that’s exactly what they do. In the animal kingdom, around 1% of all bird species…
Marie Attard 