BACKGROUND Increasingly, it is recognized that the microbes resident in the
gastrointestinal tract can influence brain physiology and behavior. Research has shown that …

Smell is a sensory modality that is rarely considered in birds, but evidence is mounting that
olfaction is an important aspect of avian behaviour and ecology. The uropygial gland …

Birds are renowned for their exceptional vision and the way that this enables them to survive
and navigate the world in such a unique way. However, it is now recognised that avian …

The uropygial gland is a holocrine complex exclusive to birds that produces an oleaginous
secretion (preen oil) whose function is still debated. Herein, I examine critically the evidence …

For a long time birds were assumed to be anosmic or at best microsmatic, with olfaction a
poorly understood and seldom investigated part of avian physiology. The full viability of …

This article is part of a Special Issue “Chemosignals and Reproduction”. Chemical cues
were probably the first cues ever used to communicate and are still ubiquitous among living …

'Accounting for the sensory abilities of animals is critical in experimental design.'No
researcher would disagree with this statement, yet it is often the case that we inadvertently …

The relative size of olfactory bulbs (OBs) is correlated with olfactory capabilities across
vertebrates and is widely used to assess the relative importance of olfaction to a species' …

Much of the growing interest in avian chemical signals has focused on the role of kin
recognition or mate attraction, often with an emphasis on males, with uropygial gland …

Over the past decade, advanced analytical techniques have been utilized to examine
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in eggs. These VOCs offer valuable insights into factors …