'Zombie Pigeons' Invade Moscow Sparking Fears Of Bird Apocalypse

The streets of Moscow have been littered with dead and dying pigeons in recent weeks, prompting fears the birds had fallen victim to a "zombie apocalypse".

Video footage of the birds twisting their necks, walking backwards and standing motionless in the paths of oncoming traffic added to the alarm, Russia's Life News revealed.

According to RT.com, initial reports had suggested the birds' abnormal behaviour was caused by Newcastle disease - a virus which can spread to humans.

"Before death, they start to resemble zombies: they lose their orientation and fly without a sense of direction, then fall, already lacking the strength to get up," wrote Konstantin Ranks, a science columnist at the website Slon.ru.

But Russia's chief sanitary official Gennady Onishchenko has since announced the birds are actually suffering from salmonella poisoning.

He announced the news at a press conference on Friday, and ensured his contempt for the animals, which are understood to have died extremely painful deaths, was made clear.

He said: "In the hands of Picasso a pigeon became the embodiment of peace.

"But in fact, in a sanitary sense, it is the most untidy and one of the most stupid birds," the Moscow Times reported.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/08/21/zombie-pigeons--moscow-bird-apocalypse_n_3790257.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

Queen's Swan Found Cooked Near Windsor Castle

A swan owned by the Queen has been found barbecued on the banks of the Thames in the shadow of Windsor Castle.

The Royal bird was found on Baths Island, in the middle of a picnic area popular with children and tourists.

It had been cooked with its feathers still attached, and meat had been stripped from its carcass.

Park wardens made the gruesome discovery in Windsor, Berkshire, at 3pm on Sunday, and called Swan Lifeline, which cares for sick or injured birds along the Thames.

Wendy Hermon, treatment centre co-ordinator for Swan Lifeline, told Sky News Online: "They were in the middle of their walkabout when they phoned us to say we've found what looks like the remains of a cooked swan.

"It's absolutely disgusting doing something like that. We've heard for years that sort of thing goes on; we've never actually seen it.

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Liver bird spotted flying in the sky above Liverpool?

Liverpool's iconic Liver bird has been spotted flying in the clouds above the city.

Karen Gillett of Bootle took this picture yesterday and noticed a likeness to the famous Mersey bird.

She said: "I was taking pictures of the nice clouds on my phone last night. I didn't even realise it was there at first.

"I love the Liver bird and even have a tattoo of one."

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liver-bird-spotted-flying-sky-5758273

Unscrambling the Genetics of the Chicken's 'Blue' Egg

Aug. 20, 2013 — Researchers at The University of Nottingham have unscrambled the genetic mutation that gives the distinctive blue eggs laid by some breeds of chickens.

They are the latest foodie fashion and look set to become big business in the baking aisles of all the major supermarkets -- the blue egg produced by some chickens is prettier and some say tastier and cleaner-breaking than the traditional brown one -- and now, thanks to scientists from The University of Nottingham, we know what caused the eggs in some breeds to turn this unusual colour.

In a four-year research project just published in the journal, PLOS ONE, the team from the School of Biology, has identified the genetic mutation which first produced the blue egg in native South American chicken, the Mapuche fowl, and their European descendants, Araucana between 200 and 500 years ago. The results could inform future research into agricultural breeding techniques if demand for the blue egg continues to grow.

The scientists used the unique genetic resources conserved by heritage or 'fancy' poultry breeders to identify at fine resolution the exact location of the mutation in the genome in blue egg laying chicken. This work was followed by further genomic study which revealed the genetic cause of the blue coloured egg shell -- surprisingly -- an ancient harmless retrovirus in the domestic chicken.

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Honeyguide Birds Destroy Own Species' Eggs to Eliminate Competition

Aug. 21, 2013 — Like cuckoos, honeyguides are parasitic birds that lay their eggs in other birds' nests and dupe them into raising their young. Now scientists reveal that, unlike in cuckoos, the resemblance between honeyguide eggs and those of their bee-eater bird hosts hasn't evolved to trick hosts into accepting the imposter egg as one of their own. Rather, it appears to have evolved to trick other honeyguides who would otherwise destroy the eggs because of fierce competition for host nests.

The new research is published today, 21 August, in the journal Biology Letters.

Honeyguides are intriguingly odd birds that are best-known for their unique, mutually beneficial relationship with humans. Honeyguides love to eat beeswax. To obtain it, they guide human honey-hunters to bees' nests. In return for showing the humans the bees, the honeyguide gains access to the otherwise dangerous and impenetrable nest and its sought-after wax.

But these African birds also have a dark side. They are unusually vicious parasites whose imposter chicks stab the chicks of their host birds (often little bee-eaters) to death as soon as they hatch in order to eliminate competition for the host parents' care. The newly published research has shown that this fight for monopoly of the nest also extends to other honeyguides in a battle conducted deep underground in the nest burrows that bee-eaters dig into the roofs of Aardvark holes.

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How can anyone do this to a poor, defenceless owl?

The Little Owl – one of the UK’s smallest owl species – was found on Friday lunchtime (August 16) by a lady walking with her young son in Eversley Park, Low Street, Sherburn-in-Elmet.

The lady had spotted some youths around 16 years of age acting suspiciously near a tree.

When she went to investigate, she found the bird with blue twine wrapped tightly around its wing. The owl had then been hung from one branch and the twine tied to a second branch, leaving the bird suspended in mid-air by its wing.

The bird had then been spun round and round in the breeze and the twine had tightened so much that it had cut through its wing and into the flesh.

The lady put her child onto her shoulders and between them they got the owl down. She took it to the local vet, where the creature had the twine removed and was given anti-shock treatment and other medication to relieve its pain.

The animal is now being cared for by Selby Wildlife Rehabilitation, but was so badly injured that it may have to be put down.

The RSPCA and police are investigating the cruel act.

Annette Pyrah, from Selby Wildlife Rehabilitation, said the owl had suffered severe injuries to his wing.

“He has deep lacerations where the twine has dug into his side,” she said.

“He survived the night, but may never be able to fly again. He will be seen again by the vets who will advise his ongoing care or whether he has to be put to sleep”.

A reward of £300, with another £500 pledged on the social media site Twitter, is being offered to anyone with information which could help find the culprits. Call police via 101.

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/how-can-anyone-do-this-to-a-poor-defenceless-owl-1-5965812

“Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it.”

Mark Twain

New endangered giant ibis found in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH (AFP) – Jubilant conservationists expressed hope Tuesday for the survival of the critically-endangered giant ibis after a nest of the bird species was discovered in a previously unknown habitat in northeastern Cambodia.

Habitat loss and poaching has pushed the giant ibis to the edge of extinction, with around only 345 of the reclusive creatures -- distinctive for their bald heads and long beaks -- left anywhere in the world, 90 percent of them in Cambodia.

A farmer in Cambodia's Stung Treng province discovered the nesting site a few kilometres inland in the biodiverse Mekong Flooded Forest area last month, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said in a statement.

An inspection team from the WWF later saw an adult bird sitting on the nest with two eggs.

"The discovery of the giant ibis nest on the Mekong is extremely significant because it provides hope for the species' survival," said Sok Ko, Forestry Administration official and Bird Nest Project officer with WWF.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/08/20/new-endangered-giant-ibis-found-in-cambodia/#ixzz2cW3il0gj