Synthetic duck feathers could help ships glide through the water

The old saying “like water off a duck’s back” is well-earned – the water-loving birds have specialized feathers that keep them from getting too wet. Now, engineers at Virginia Tech have investigated the physics behind how they work and developed synthe… Continue reading Synthetic duck feathers could help ships glide through the water

Study suggests tiny birds’ blood gets warmer in the winter

In order to stay warm on frigid winter days, small birds may do more than just fluff up their feathers. According to new research, they’re actually able to make their blood run hotter, creating a sort of central heating system.Continue ReadingCategory:… Continue reading Study suggests tiny birds’ blood gets warmer in the winter

Giant extinct bird brains reveal “extreme evolutionary experiments”

Australian scientists have studied the biggest bird-brains in history for the first time. Paleontologists examined the brain cases of extinct flightless birds in the dromornithidae family – including some of the largest birds that ever existed – and fo… Continue reading Giant extinct bird brains reveal “extreme evolutionary experiments”

Flapping Wings And The Science Of How Bees Can Fly

Jerry Seinfeld launched his career with Bee Movie, an insect-themed animated feature that took the world by storm in 2007. It posed the quandary – that supposedly, according to all known laws of aviation, bees should not be able to …read more

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New dinosaur dazzled with ornaments never before seen in fossil record

Paleontologists have discovered a new species of dinosaur that’s a real show-off. Ubirajara jubatus is a small creature found with strange spikes sticking out of its shoulders, which scientists speculate were used as ornaments like a peacock’s tail.Con… Continue reading New dinosaur dazzled with ornaments never before seen in fossil record

How the silence of owls in flight could lead to low-noise aircraft

By getting up close and personal with the intricate mechanics of bird flight, scientists continue to unlock secrets that can aid in their pursuit of advanced aerodynamics, and that may include aircraft that generate a lot less noise. Scientists in Euro… Continue reading How the silence of owls in flight could lead to low-noise aircraft

Artificial tree hollows designed to house displaced wildlife

Of all the things that merit a high-tech makeover, you would think that the humble bird-nesting box didn’t need one. A new 3D-printed version, however, could go a long way towards restoring threatened species in the Australian wilderness.Continue Readi… Continue reading Artificial tree hollows designed to house displaced wildlife

Lessons from barn owl flight could help aircraft handle strong winds

Intrigued by the remarkable ability of birds to remain stable in the face of powerful winds, aerospace engineers in the UK have carried out a study to examine the phenomenon in great detail. By observing a barn owl in flight as it contended with bluste… Continue reading Lessons from barn owl flight could help aircraft handle strong winds

Did pterosaurs have feathers? Scientific debate takes flight in new study

Debate is raging about whether pterosaurs, flying reptiles that lived alongside the dinosaurs, had feathers or not. Two years ago a study claimed to have found fossil evidence of “protofeathers” on pterosaurs, but now another team claims the evidence d… Continue reading Did pterosaurs have feathers? Scientific debate takes flight in new study