Global warming makes it harder for birds to mate, study finds
(WorldNews Environment)

New research led by the University of East Anglia (UEA) and University of Porto (CIBIO-InBIO) shows how global warming could reduce the mating activity and success of grassland birds. The study examined the threatened grassland bird Tetrax tetrax, or little bustard, classified as a `Vulnerable` species in Europe, in order to test how rising temperatures could affect future behaviour. The males spend most of their time in April and May trying to attract females in a breeding gathering known as a `lek`. In leks, to get noticed, males stand upright, puff up their necks, and making a call that sounds like a `snort`. They also use this display to defend their territory from competing breeding...