Australian magpies have made themselves at home in human cities, but that doesn’t mean that urban environments are free of challenges. New research suggests that human noise pollution affects the songbirds’ ability to forage for food, communicate, and respond to alarm calls—but smart birds are better able to cope with this noise.

Read the latest at my Animal Minds blog: Smarter Birds Cope Better with City Noise.

Snow flies seem to defy logic. These wingless flies are commonly seen scurrying across snow-covered surfaces at temperatures that would paralyze and kill most other insects. Now, researchers have discovered the startling strategy that helps snow flies survive sub-zero conditions: self-amputation. When a snow fly detects ice forming in one of its limbs, it rapidly detaches it to prevent ice crystals from spreading into its body.

Read more at my Animal Minds blog: Snow Flies Have a Trick to Survive Freezing Temperatures.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend human milk for infants because of its important health benefits. However, most newborns with congenital heart disease are separated from their mothers shortly after birth and admitted to a tertiary children’s hospital for the management of their disease. In a new report, researchers from Nationwide Children’s Hospital describe a recent quality improvement initiative aimed at increasing human milk consumption among newborns in their cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU).

Read more: Ensuring Vulnerable Babies Receive the Benefits of Human Milk.

Despite their popularity as companions, misunderstandings about cat behavior are common. People’s expectations of cats and ability to interpret their behavior are influenced by pervasive myths that often paint cats as ‘low maintenance, self-sufficient’ animals. Moreover, incorrect assumptions and beliefs about cat needs and behaviors can have serious welfare consequences, which in turn can undermine the human-animal bond.

Read more at my Animal Minds blog: 5 Harmful Feline Myths, Debunked.

Male palm cockatoos make and use drumming instruments as part of their mating display. New research shows the birds craft individually distinct musical instruments according to their personal preferences. The findings suggest females may evaluate males on the individuality and creativity of their display.

Read more at my Animal Minds blog: Custom-Made Drumsticks Showcase Cockatoo Creativity.