Mates for life: birds do it, but bees don't

Article Abstract:

Many animal species practice monogamy. For example, of the 8,800 bird species, about 90% of them are monogamous. Reasons why animals choose to remain monogamous are that the practice is energy efficient and helps improve the propagation of genes. Furthermore, although about 97% of mammal species practice polygamy, those mammals that choose to remain monogamous do so because it is more genetically efficient. For example, beavers remain monogamous because their expenditure of massive amounts of energy, such as in storing winter food and maintaining a home, deters them from polygamy.

Sexual behavior in animals, Animal sexual behavior, Monogamy

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To see for miles

Article Abstract:

Jerry Dennis narrates the importance and usefulness of eyes to humans and animals, and expresses his wish to have a keen eye sight, soaring wings and the ability to climb in the wind like a bird and see for miles. Though our eyes are our best sense organ we are not using them as well as we could. Vision is so important to birds that they have larger eyes in proportion to their skulls. An area found in the retina of vertebrates called the fovea helps the humans to discern the details of complex, cluttered scenes.

Observations, Eye, Sense organs, Animals, Wildlife research, Animal anatomy, Vision

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The bird in the waterfall

Article Abstract:

Among the more fascinating birds are those that inhabit whitewater rivers and swim through the rapids in search of insects, mollusks, and crustaceans. The water's churning makes it rich in oxygen, offsetting the problems imposed by turbulence. These birds include the torrent duck, found in South America, and the American dipper, which lives in western North America from Alaska to Mexico. Effusively praised by John Muir, the dipper lives its entire life in and beside the river, seeming almost a part of it.

Behavior, Natural history, Habitats, Ducks, Water birds, Wild and scenic rivers

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