Animal coloration patterns are wildly variable. Despite this, there are plumage traits that occur similarly across taxonomic groups, suggesting the possible action of widespread selective regimes. Here, we investigate why so many avian species have “flash” plumage signals—color patches that are not visible when an animal is still but become visible with movement.

Trends in Richness and Occupancy of Ugandan Birds and Relation to Local Tree Cover

Changes in vegetation cover are occurring across sub-Saharan Africa and can have substantial effects on ecological communities, but limited data make understanding status and trends difficult for many taxa. This paper explores bird survey data from time to detection surveys across Uganda, 1985 to 2011. Species richness increased at 75% of sites through the study period, and generalist bird species were most likely to be increasing in occupancy. Forest specialist bird species, and to a lesser extent generalists, responded positively to tree cover.

Opportunistic Vessel-Based Detections of Migratory Bats in the Gulf of Maine

This paper explores the use acoustic monitoring from vessels opportunistically transiting through the Gulf offers as a method to capture bat activity further offshore and across both spatial and temporal gradients. Acoustic bat detectors were deployed on marine vessels in the Gulf and collected data during periods from April through May and August through October 2024. A total of 69 offshore bat passes were recorded, including calls from Lasiurus cinereus (Hoary Bat), Lasionycteris noctivagans (Silver-haired Bat), and Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat).

Global Marine Flyways Identified for Long-Distance Migrating Seabirds From Tracking Data

This paper identifies six marine flyways across the world’s oceans: the Atlantic Ocean Flyway, North Indian Ocean Flyway, East Indian Ocean Flyway, West Pacific Ocean Flyway, Pacific Ocean Flyway and Southern Ocean Flyway. The marine flyways identified demonstrate that pelagic seabirds have similar and repeatable migration routes across ocean-basin scales. Our study highlights the need to account for connectivity in seabird conservation and provides a framework for international cooperation.

A flexible framework for species-based regional cumulative effects assessments to support offshore wind energy planning and management

A new paper published in Environmental Impact Assessment Review provides a step-by-step framework for practitioners to assess cumulative effects on any wildlife species or population. Researchers from the Biodiversity Research Institute and Environment and Climate Change Canada developed this resource to facilitate decision-making throughout the planning process of offshore wind development.