Vultures, which are the only obligate vertebrate scavengers, have experienced the most
rapid decline in conservation status of any group of birds over the past decade and comprise …

Simple Summary Animals adopt several strategies to regulate their body temperature by
promoting heat loss or gain in hot and cold environments, respectively. This mechanism of …

Huddling can be defined as “an active and close aggregation of animals”. It is a cooperative
group behaviour, permitting individuals involved in social thermoregulation to minimize heat …

The behavioural response of animals to unfavourable climatic conditions has received
increased attention recently. While many studies have examined the behavioural responses …

The colorful phenotypes of birds have long provided rich source material for evolutionary
biologists. Avian plumage, beaks, skin, and eggs—which exhibit a stunning range of cryptic …

Vultures and condors are among the most threatened avian species in the world due to the
impacts of human activities. Negative perceptions can contribute to these threats as some …

Vertebrate skin is characterized by its patterned array of appendages, whether feathers,
hairs, or scales. In avian skin the distribution of feathers occurs on two distinct spatial levels …

This book examines current knowledge on the evolution, ecology, and conservation biology
of both New World vultures (Cathartidae) and Old World vultures (Accipitridae). Extinct …

With antibiotic resistance on the rise, there is an urgent need for new antibacterial drugs and
products to treat or prevent infection. Many such products in current use, for example human …

The frequency of extreme weather events, including heat waves, is increasing with climate
change. The thermoregulatory demands resulting from hotter weather can have catastrophic …