BIRDS OF A FEATHER

THE amazing things birds teach us about health. This week: The warbler and stress BIRDS that live next door to family members or other birds they know well are physically healthier and age more slowly, according to the University of East Anglia. Much like humans, many animals ‘own’ a territory: good neighbours respect this.

The East Anglia researchers studied Seychelles warblers to see if territory owners with related, or familiar, neighbours were in better health than those seen fighting with birds living next to them.

The researchers measured the birds’ body condition and telomere length (sections of DNA that erode faster during stress and poor health).

Those with more relatives or well-known neighbours were in better condition; if new neighbours arrived, their health declined and their telomeres shortened more.