The seasonal expression and the migratory phenotype is signalled by rapid and marked changes in food intake, fuelling, and amount of nocturnality. We used common quails (Coturnix coturnix) to assess if the hormone corticosterone and the gut-derived hormone ghrelin play…
fusanilab
Behaviour, Physiology & Ornithology
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How do tropical birds cope with global warming?
A common potoo (Nyctibius griseus) remains lethargic throughout the hottest hours of the day
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Modelling bird formations using fuzzy logic
Fuzzy logic helps to model upwashes and detect in-wake flying
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Hybrid manakins do hybrid courtship
Beyond plumage: courtship may have a role in speciation
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Sneaky copulations by ‘apprentices’ bowerbirds
Unknown aspects of bowerbird courtship revealed
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The importance of synchronization in courtship
The timing of vocal and visual components may influence attractiveness of multimodal signals
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Sweet sap, savory ants
Woodpeckers taste sweet, but wrynecks lost the ability to taste sugars. Photo: © Charles Thomas (Macaulay Library ML180000101)
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Flight efficiency in Northern Bald Ibises
Intermittent flight reduces the high costs of flying
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Androgen response to simulated intruder in a territorial poison frog
Hormonal response to territorial intrusions. Photo by Andrius Pašukonis
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Learned components of courtship
A focus on postural displays, choreographies and construction abilities
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Unshaded coffee plantations impose a heavy load on thermoregulation
Coping with heat in tropical agricultural landscapes
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Ghrelin modifies migratory behaviour in nature
Decision making in migration is influenced by gut hormones
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Oxytocin and singing
Differential modulation of oxytocin during group singing vs. group speaking
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Linking bird diversity and agricultural management in tropical farmlands
Bird communities and coffee farms in Costa Rica
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Physiological innovation and courtship behaviour
Specialized metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular systems sustain the neuromuscular demands of physically demanding courtship
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Deciphering choreographies of elaborate courtship displays
3D motion capture to study courtship displays in the field
About our lab
Our lab is based at the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, and at the Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna. The lab was created thanks to a special grant of…
Research
We study several aspects of avian biology, from migration physiology to sexual selection, both in the laboratory and in the field. A unifying feature of our research is the broad approach that includes both proximate and ultimate questions. Besides long-term…
Join us
We are accepting applications for internships, Bachelor, and Master dissertations. When available, job openings for specific projects are listed below this text, in the Blog page, and at the bottom of this page in the category ‘Jobs’. If you are…
News
New grant to implement novel feeding strategies on fish farms
Stefan Fischer and other group members received a new grant to improve animal welfare on fish farms funded by the Vienna Science and Technology Fund.
Claudia Janiczek wins the prize for the best poster at the PhD academy
Another recognition for our group: Claudia Janiczek won the prize for the best poster at the PhD Academy, an event organized by the CoBeNe Doctoral School of the University of Vienna. Claudia presented her work on the comparison of courtship…
Cover Image for Ethology – Jan 2023
Our paper Sneaky copulations by ‘apprentices’ bowerbirds made the cover of the journal’s issue of January 2022. Nice to see our work portraited!
Article on reduction of migratory behaviour in Der Standard
If you can read German, have a look at the most recent interview released by Wolfgang Vogl on the disappearence of migratory behaviour in many species of migratory birds that remain in Europe in winter because of climate change. https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000141778277/immer-mehr-zugvoegel-canceln-ihren-abflug-in-den-sueden?ref=article
Sweet sap, savory ants
Woodpeckers taste sweet, but wrynecks lost the ability to taste sugars. Photo: © Charles Thomas (Macaulay Library ML180000101)
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