Feather pecking remains a serious problem in poultry farming. This study aimed to identify risk factors for plumage damage as a proxy for feather pecking, and the predictive value of practical ...

The well-being of animals kept by humans in laboratories, farms, or as pets should always be of the highest importance, and a prerequisite for this is adequate housing. To assess the potential ...

For birds, simple does not always equal simple—and that difference can create interesting variations in plumage, according to new findings from University of Colorado Boulder researchers and their ...

Many species of songbirds have evolved to have strikingly colorful plumage, aiding them in catching the eye of mates, signaling, and recognizing each other. These eye-catching patterns have long ...

One obvious reason why people enjoy the existence of birds so much is their bright and varied colors. Humans — and most mammals — seem boring in comparison. But why are birds the colors that they are?

The feather colours of certain kinds of turkeys can predict how they cope with life on the farm. Raised for their meat and eggs, domesticated Nigerian indigenous turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are born ...

The rock ptarmigan is the official bird for the Canadian territory of Nunavut, where it is known as the aqiggiq. (Photo: Michael F. Horn/Flickr) As a seasonally camouflaged species, the rock ptarmigan ...

Climate change is rapidly altering our environment—and posing major challenges for many animal species. Whether they can adapt depends largely on their genetic diversity. An international study ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. GrrlScientist writes about evolution, ecology, behavior and health. Spectacular plumage color like that seen in many parrot ...