The uropygial gland is a holocrine complex exclusive to birds that produces an oleaginous
secretion (preen oil) whose function is still debated. Herein, I examine critically the evidence …

Smell is a sensory modality that is rarely considered in birds, but evidence is mounting that
olfaction is an important aspect of avian behaviour and ecology. The uropygial gland …

Although a growing body of evidence supports that olfaction based on chemical compounds
emitted by birds may play a role in individual recognition, the possible role of chemical cues …

During the past 2 decades, considerable progress has been made in the study of bird
semiochemistry, and our goal was to review and evaluate this literature with particular …

In jawed vertebrates, genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) play a key role in
immunity by encoding cell-surface proteins that recognize and bind non-self antigens. High …

The activation of genomic signaling in response to stressor-mediated cortisol elevation has
been studied extensively in teleosts. However, very little is known about the rapid signaling …

Highlights•Songbird preen oil chemical composition differs between species and
sexes.•Song sparrows spent more time with opposite-sex than same-sex conspecific …

Chemical signaling has been well studied in invertebrates and mammals but less so in
birds, due to the longstanding misconception that olfaction is unimportant or even non …

Hypogean petrels return to the same nest burrow to breed on remote islands during the
summer months. Their nocturnal behavior at the colony, strong musky odor and olfactory …

Evidence for the the ability of birds to detect olfactory signals is now well documented, yet it
remains unclear whether birds secrete chemicals that can be used as social cues. A …