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Wild birds' gut microbiome linked with its ornamentation and body condition
Researchers spent five years studying the gut microbiomes of Northern cardinals, a common backyard songbird known for its vivid red plumage. Their study explores how microbiome diversity impacts the birds’ health, body condition, and ornamental traits, such as their coloration. This research provides the first detailed insights into how gut microbiomes influence traits related to fitness in wild birds, addressing a gap in knowledge previously focused on captive animals.