Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence Departments and Research Groups Michaela Hau News News and research highlights from the research group "Evolutionary Physiology" All Marine pollutants disrupt cellular energy production in seabirds January 07, 2026 First study of wild animals shows mercury and certain PFAS compounds alter how birds convert food into cellular energy, creating hidden costs that could affect fitness more Do hormone fluctuations increase survival probabilities? November 09, 2022 Great tits reveal how birds cope with changes in environmental temperatures more Citizens reveal that pairs of rufous horneros have specific preferences when it comes to nest building May 09, 2022 The breeding pair jointly builds a complex nest with asymmetric architecture more Great tits detox at the expense of a lower life expectancy November 28, 2018 Males that neutralize free radicals with an enzyme are less likely to survive the next winter more Lost the beat December 29, 2015 Mice suffer from a decrease in biological fitness if their internal clock is mixed up more Simultaneous breeding and moulting reduces fitness May 08, 2013 Brush finches fly more slowly if they are reproducing and moulting at the same time more Wild birds respond differently to the first long days of a year April 24, 2012 For great tits spring does not always start at the same time more Hormones dictate breeding success in birds January 25, 2011 Max Planck researchers can predict the number of offspring a bird will have based on its prolactin and corticosterone levels more Only some like it hot March 31, 2010 How birds from different populations react to infections in their natural environment more
