Urban Environments Are Evolutionary Hotspots: Study

Millions of birds die in the US each year as they collide with moving vehicles. In spite of this things have been looking up, at least in the case of cliff swallows. Today's swallows are hit less often, thanks to shorter wingspans that may help them take off more quickly and pivot away from passing cars. The findings, reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on March 18, show that urban environments can be evolutionary hotspots.

"Evolution is an ongoing process, and all this—roads, SUVs, and all—is part of nature or 'the wild'; they exert selection pressures in a way we don't usually think about," says Charles R. Brown of the University of Tulsa.

Islamabad Culls Over 6,000 Birds Control Bird-flu Outbreak
Authorities have culled more than 6,000 birds to control a new outbreak of avian flu at three poultry farms in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan

Source-Eurekalert

Britain Slaughters Chickens After Dead Birds Tested Positive
The British government has ordered the slaughter of some 35,000 chickens at a farm in the south-eastern county of Norfolk after dead birds tested positive for a strain of bird flu

Clues to Redheads' Existence Might Be Held By Birds: Scientist
Red coloration which is historically seen as costly in vertebrates might represent some physiological benefit after all says scientists.

In Cities Blackbirds Mature Faster Sexually: Study
A study has found that animals exposed to low night-time light intensities, comparable to those found in cities, develop their reproductive system earlier.