B. Kempenaers

The collective application of shorebird tracking data to conservation

The paper describes a collaborative effort to integrate shorebird tracking data for conservation, showing how shared data can support conservation actions.

Differences in sperm swimming speed and morphology between the three genetic morphs in the ruff sandpiper

The paper compares sperm swimming speed and morphology among three genetic morphs of ruff sandpipers and finds Faeder sperm are slowest, but Independent sperm do not show expected higher quality.

Nest relief in the cryptically-incubating semipalmated sandpiper is quick but vocal

This study examines nest relief behavior in semipalmated sandpipers, finding that vocalizations during quick nest reliefs may help coordinate parental duties despite the birds' reliance on crypsis for nest defense.

Fitness costs of female choosiness in a socially monogamous songbird

The study examines the fitness costs of female mate choice in zebra finches, finding that high competition does not reduce fitness due to alternative reproductive tactics.

Still no evidence for disruption of global patterns of nest predation in shorebirds

This paper critiques a study claiming increased Arctic nest predation disrupts global patterns, finding no statistical support for such conclusions and highlighting methodological issues.

Machine learning reveals cryptic dialects that guide mate choice in a songbird

This study uses machine learning to uncover hidden song dialects in zebra finches that influence mate choice, showing cultural transmission drives assortative mating.

The great tit HapMap project: a continental-scale analysis of genomic variation in a songbird

This study analyzes genomic variation across 647 great tit individuals to understand how environmental and demographic factors shape genetic diversity and differentiation.

Bird populations most exposed to climate change are less responsive to climatic variation

The paper shows that bird populations most exposed to climate change show less phenological response to temperature variation.

A global analysis of song frequency in passerines provides no support for the acoustic adaptation hypothesis but suggests a role for sexual selection

This study analyzes song frequency in 5,085 passerine species and finds no support for the acoustic adaptation hypothesis but links song frequency to body size and sexual selection.

Offspring performance is well buffered against stress experienced by ancestors

This study investigates transgenerational effects of stress in zebra finches and finds no significant indirect effects, showing robustness against ancestral stress.

Body size and climate as predictors of plumage colouration and sexual dichromatism in parrots

This study examines factors influencing plumage coloration and sexual dichromatism in parrots, finding that body size, climate, and life history traits correlate with color elaboration and sexual dimorphism.

Proximate causes of infertility and embryo mortality in captive zebra finches

The paper investigates causes of infertility and embryo mortality in captive zebra finches, finding inbreeding, age-related decline, and poor nutrition significantly impact reproductive success, but explain only a small portion of the variance.

A sex chromosome inversion is associated with copy number variation of mitochondrial DNA in zebra finch sperm

The paper investigates the association between a sex chromosome inversion and mitochondrial DNA copy number in zebra finch sperm, finding a positive correlation with midpiece length and potential effects on ATP production and swimming speed.

Timing of arrival in the breeding area is repeatable and affects reproductive success in a non-migratory population of blue tits

The study examines arrival timing in a non-migratory blue tit population, finding it is repeatable and affects reproductive success.

The role of genetic constraints and social environment in explaining female extra-pair mating

The study tests the intersexual pleiotropy hypothesis by examining genetic and environmental influences on female extra-pair mating in zebra finches, finding no genetic homology between male and female promiscuity.

RECONCILING ECOGEOGRAPHICAL RULES: RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE PREDICT GLOBAL COLOUR VARIATION IN THE LARGEST BIRD RADIATION

This study tests Glogers and Bogerts rules on passerine birds, finding rainfall and temperature predict coloration with complex interactions.

Meta-analysis challenges a textbook example of status signalling and demonstrates publication bias

The paper challenges the status signalling hypothesis using meta-analysis, finding no support for dominance rank being linked to bib size in house sparrows and identifying publication bias.

Temporary mate removal during incubation leads to variable compensation in a biparental shorebird

This study examines how semipalmated sandpiper parents compensate for temporary mate removal during incubation, finding partial compensation with individual variation and no sex differences.

Flexible Parental Care: Uniparental Incubation In Biparentally Incubating Shorebirds

The paper shows that 8 out of 15 shorebird species can switch to uniparental incubation when one parent disappears, with 27% of these clutches successfully hatching.