Birds with Big Brains and Broad Ranges May Still Face Climate Change Peril.

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications, researchers from The University of Texas at Austin have found that some bird species long believed to be resilient to environmental shifts—due to their broad geographic ranges or larger brains—may in fact be at greater risk from climate change than previously assumed.

The research team, led by associate professor Carlos Botero and former UT postdoctoral researcher João Fabrício Mota Rodrigues, analyzed global distribution maps and climate data for approximately 1,500 bird species. Their findings upend traditional conservation thinking by revealing that geographic range and brain size do not always equate to climate adaptability.

One striking example involves the Bohemian waxwing, a bird familiar to birdwatchers across North America and Europe. Despite its extensive breeding territory across the Arctic, the waxwing thrives only within a narrow and extreme set of climate conditions. In contrast, the chestnut-crowned laughingthrush, which inhabits a much smaller region centered around Nepal and Bhutan, is adapted to a broader climate range. This suggests that the waxwing’s large range might offer a misleading sense of security when it comes to climate resilience.

“The Arctic covers a vast area with very uniform climate conditions,” said Botero. “This leads to species with large populations and extensive ranges, traits that typically suggest low extinction risk. But in reality, these birds are climate specialists, and their numbers could crash if the climate shifts.”

The study also uncovered another surprising trend: birds with larger brains relative to their body size—often considered more behaviorally adaptable—are frequently found to be climate specialists as well. These birds, while more flexible in behavior, have evolved to thrive in very specific environmental conditions, which may leave them ill-equipped to cope with rapid climatic shifts.

“A bigger brain usually means better adaptability through behavior,” Botero explained. “But we discovered that many of these birds are tightly bound to specific climate types. So despite their cognitive abilities, they may not be as resilient to climate change as we once believed.”

To conduct their analysis, the researchers utilized avian distribution data sourced from the eBird platform, a citizen science initiative that aggregates observations from birdwatchers around the world. This extensive dataset enabled a detailed look at where species occur and the types of climates they inhabit.

To better understand climate adaptability, the team developed a novel framework that categorizes global climates using two metrics: “temperature harshness,” which increases with colder, less stable, and less predictable temperatures; and “xeric harshness,” which rises in areas with low, inconsistent precipitation. These metrics helped quantify how specialized a species is in its climate niche.

Ultimately, the study underscores the need to rethink conservation priorities. Species that appear widespread or intelligent might still face heightened vulnerability if they are finely tuned to specific climate zones. Identifying these hidden risks could play a crucial role in future biodiversity preservation efforts.

Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-04-big-brains-ranges-birds-climate.html

This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.