Latest news with #eavesdropping
The Independent
2 days ago
- Science
- The Independent
A grassland bird eavesdrops on prairie dog calls to keep itself safe from predators
Prairie dogs are the Paul Reveres of the Great Plains: They bark to alert neighbors to the presence of predators, with separate calls for dangers coming by land or by air. 'Prairie dogs are on the menu for just about every predator you can think of'— golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, foxes, badgers, even large snakes — said Andy Boyce, a research ecologist in Montana at the Smithsonian 's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Those predators will also snack on grassland nesting birds like the long-billed curlew. To protect themselves, the curlews eavesdrop on the alarms coming from prairie dog colonies, according to research published Thursday in the journal Animal Behavior. Previous research has shown birds frequently eavesdrop on other bird species to glean information about potential food sources or approaching danger, said Georgetown University ornithologist Emily Williams, who was not involved in the study. But, so far, scientists have documented only a few instances of birds eavesdropping on mammals. 'That doesn't necessarily mean it's rare in the wild,' she said, 'it just means we haven't studied it yet.' Prairie dogs live in large colonies with a series of burrows that may stretch for miles underground. When they hear one each other's barks, they either stand alert watching or dive into their burrows to avoid approaching talons and claws. 'Those little barks are very loud — they can carry quite a long way,' said co-author Andrew Dreelin, who also works for the Smithsonian. The long-billed curlew nests in short-grass prairie and incubates eggs on a ground nest. When one hears the prairie dog alarm, she responds by pressing her head, beak and belly close to the ground. In this crouched position, the birds 'rely on the incredible camouflage of their feathers to become essentially invisible on the Plains,' Dreelin said. To test just how alert the birds were to prairie dog chatter, researchers created a fake predator by strapping a taxidermied badger onto a small remote-controlled vehicle. They sent this badger rolling over the prairie of north-central Montana toward curlew nests — sometimes in silence and sometimes while playing recorded prairie dog barks. When the barks were played, curlews ducked into the grass quickly, hiding when the badger was around 160 feet (49 meters) away. Without the barks, the remote-controlled badger got within about 52 feet (16 meters) of the nests before the curlews appeared to sense danger. 'You have a much higher chance of avoiding predation if you go into that cryptic posture sooner — and the birds do when they hear prairie dogs barking,' said co-author Holly Jones, a conservation biologist at Northern Illinois University. Prairie dogs are often thought of as 'environmental engineers,' she said, because they construct extensive burrows and nibble down prairie grass, keeping short-grass ecosystems intact. 'But now we are realizing they are also shaping the ecosystems by producing and spreading information,' she said. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Science
- Associated Press
A grassland bird eavesdrops on prairie dog calls to keep itself safe from predators
WASHINGTON (AP) — Prairie dogs are the Paul Reveres of the Great Plains: They bark to alert neighbors to the presence of predators, with separate calls for dangers coming by land or by air. 'Prairie dogs are on the menu for just about every predator you can think of'— golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, foxes, badgers, even large snakes — said Andy Boyce, a research ecologist in Montana at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Those predators will also snack on grassland nesting birds like the long-billed curlew. To protect themselves, the curlews eavesdrop on the alarms coming from prairie dog colonies, according to research published Thursday in the journal Animal Behavior. Previous research has shown birds frequently eavesdrop on other bird species to glean information about potential food sources or approaching danger, said Georgetown University ornithologist Emily Williams, who was not involved in the study. But, so far, scientists have documented only a few instances of birds eavesdropping on mammals. 'That doesn't necessarily mean it's rare in the wild,' she said, 'it just means we haven't studied it yet.' Prairie dogs live in large colonies with a series of burrows that may stretch for miles underground. When they hear one each other's barks, they either stand alert watching or dive into their burrows to avoid approaching talons and claws. 'Those little barks are very loud — they can carry quite a long way,' said co-author Andrew Dreelin, who also works for the Smithsonian. The long-billed curlew nests in short-grass prairie and incubates eggs on a ground nest. When one hears the prairie dog alarm, she responds by pressing her head, beak and belly close to the ground. In this crouched position, the birds 'rely on the incredible camouflage of their feathers to become essentially invisible on the Plains,' Dreelin said. To test just how alert the birds were to prairie dog chatter, researchers created a fake predator by strapping a taxidermied badger onto a small remote-controlled vehicle. They sent this badger rolling over the prairie of north-central Montana toward curlew nests — sometimes in silence and sometimes while playing recorded prairie dog barks. When the barks were played, curlews ducked into the grass quickly, hiding when the badger was around 160 feet (49 meters) away. Without the barks, the remote-controlled badger got within about 52 feet (16 meters) of the nests before the curlews appeared to sense danger. 'You have a much higher chance of avoiding predation if you go into that cryptic posture sooner — and the birds do when they hear prairie dogs barking,' said co-author Holly Jones, a conservation biologist at Northern Illinois University. Prairie dogs are often thought of as 'environmental engineers,' she said, because they construct extensive burrows and nibble down prairie grass, keeping short-grass ecosystems intact. 'But now we are realizing they are also shaping the ecosystems by producing and spreading information,' she said. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Apple Siri Eavesdropping Payout Approved—Here's How To Make A Claim
Apple users can now apply to claim their share of a $95 million cash payout to settle a class action ... More case alleging Siri eavesdropping. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Apple users can now apply to claim their share of a $95 million cash payout to settle a class action case alleging Siri eavesdropping . In Jan., I reported how the iPhone maker agreed to pay $95 million in preliminary settlement, filed Dec. 13, 2024, in Oakland, California. The class action lawsuit alleges that Apple was infringing its users' privacy by capturing Siri conversations without their knowledge or consent and sharing this with advertisers. The claims date back to 2019, when U.K. newspaper The Guardian reported that Siri contractors were listening to Apple users' conversations with the voice assistant. According to the article, the contractors heard people talking to their doctor, sexual encounters and even drug deals. The Siri settlement has now been approved, with a page published on May 9 in the case of Lopez v. Apple Inc . 'A settlement has been reached with Apple Inc. in a class action lawsuit brought on behalf of current or former owners or purchasers of a Siri-enabled iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iMac, HomePod, iPod touch, or Apple TV whose confidential or private communications were allegedly obtained by Apple and/or shared with third parties as a result of an unintended Siri activation,' the page reads. 'Apple denies all of the allegations made in the lawsuit and denies that [it] did anything improper or unlawful,' the page adds. Apple has said previously that it is settling the Siri case to avoid costly litigation. So, how do you claim your share of the Apple Siri eavesdropping payout? Who Is Eligible For The Siri Eavesdropping Payout? Anyone who lives in the U.S., owned a Siri-enabled device and experienced an unintended activation of the voice assistant during a confidential or private communication between Sept. 17, 2014 and Dec. 31, 2024, can make a claim. If you owned an Apple device such as an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or MacBook and Siri activated unintentionally during that period, you should have received an email or postcard including a Claim identification Code and Confirmation Code. If you didn't receive one of these and you think you are eligible for the Siri payout, you can still apply. However, be clear that you will need to share under oath that you experienced Siri activating by accident and that your private conversations were recorded by the voice assistant. How Much Can I Claim For Siri Eavesdropping? If you fit the criteria to claim for the Siri eavesdropping payout, you can claim $20 for each of the devices you use, up to five Apple devices. That means you can claim up to $100 from Apple. The amount available will increase or decrease pro rata depending on the total number of valid claims submitted, and Siri devices claimed. How Can I Make A Claim For The Siri Payout? If you received the email or postcard, use the codes when making a claim via a valid Claim Form. If you didn't receive anything, but you think you are eligible to claim, go to the Submit a Claim page and follow the instructions on how to submit a Claim Form. What Is The Deadline For Claims? The deadline to file your claim in the Siri eavesdropping case is Jul. 2, with the final approval hearing to take place on Aug. 1, 2025. I asked Apple for a comment on the Siri eavesdropping case and the payout and will update this article if the iPhone maker responds.
