Birds and Mates Can Sniff Each Other Out

Antarctic birds returning to a nesting colony after feeding at sea sniff out their mates, literally. Researchers studying the behavior of birds called Antarctic prions found that the musky-smelling birds were able to discern the scent of their mates. Prions mate for life and take turns incubating their eggs.

Scent is widely used among mammals, but this is the first time it has been shown to be used by birds, a team from France and UC Davis reported in the current issue of the journal Science.