Survival rates for birds around Chernobyl turn out to be influenced by a surprising factor: Birds with more brightly-colored plumage appear to be dying off faster than their drabber cousins. Researchers counted birds at 254 spots, with different levels of radiation, surrounding Chernobyl. The less-radioactive areas had much higher populations of showy birds like orioles and robins. But nondescript species managed to maintain stable populations throughout the region. The scientists think the difference is due to the fact that birds have to use up a lot of antioxidants to make those bright feathers, so the less showy birds would have more antioxidants in their bloodstream to help fight off the effects of radiation.

Source: Krista Zala, Chernobyl hits birds hard. ScienceNOW Daily News, July 12.