Flight behaviours of birds have been extensively studied from different angles such as their kinematics, aerodynamics and more general, their migration patterns. Nevertheless, much is still unknown about the daily foraging flight activity and behaviour of breeding birds, and potential differences among males and females. The recent development of miniaturized accelerometers allows us a glimpse into the daily life of a songbird. Here, we tagged 13 male and 13 female pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) with accelerometers and used machine learning approaches to analyse their flight activity and effort during the chick rearing period. We found that during two hours of foraging, chick-rearing pied flycatchers were flying on average 13.7% of the time. Almost all flights (>99%) were short flights lasting less than 10s. Flight activity changed throughout the day and was highest in the morning and lowest in the early afternoon. Male pied flycatcher had lower wing loading than females, and in-flight accelerations were inversely correlated with wing loading. Despite this, we found no significant differences in flight duration and intensity between sexes. This suggests that males possess a higher potential flight performance, which they did not fully utilize during foraging flights.
Flight activity and effort of breeding pied flycatchers in the wild, revealed with accelerometers and machine learning
Call for Papers: The Integrative Biology of the Gut. Guest Editors Carol Bucking, Matt Regan and John Terblanche
We are pleased to welcome submissions for our upcoming Special Issue: The Integrative Biology of the Gut . We are calling for forward-looking papers that address the functional roles of the gut. We will consider papers that address gut function from the cellular level to its interactions with other organs and tissues, including its role in diverse ecophysiological processes, spanning both vertebrate and invertebrate species. The deadline for submission to this issue is 1 October 2024.
Sensory perception in a changing world – join us in Liverpool in March 2025
We are excited to invite you to a unique scientific conference, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of The Company of Biologists, and bringing together our different communities. The conference will incorporate the JEB Symposium Sensory Perception in a Changing World and the SEB satellite meeting. Find out more and register to join us in March 2025 in Liverpool, UK. Submit your abstract by 13 December 2024. Early-bird registration ends on 17 January 2025.
Extraordinary creatures: raptors
In our new Conversation focusing on extraordinary creatures, Simon Potier tells us about raptors, from peregrine falcons and eagles to vultures and owls, discussing their lifestyles, incredible sensory abilities and conservation successes.
Ultraviolet radiation: a neglected stressor
Although ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is pervasive and can alter the effects of other stressors in the environment, ecophysiologists rarely discuss or include UVR in their experimental design. In this Commentary, Coen Hird and colleagues provide a guide for experimental biologists to better understand if, when, and how UVR can be integrated into study designs to improve the ecological realism of their research.
Turkey vultures defy thin air by flying faster
Turkey vultures successfully fly at high altitude despite the challenge of generating lift in thin air, but how? Jonathan Rader & Ty Hedrick discovered that the birds fly 1m/s faster at 2200m than at sea level to generate sufficient lift to remain aloft.
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