Curve-billed Thrasher (IMAGE) University of Massachusetts Amherst Caption A study of songbird dehydration and survival risk during heat waves in the desert Southwest suggests that some birds are at risk of lethal dehydration and mass die-offs when water is scarce, and risk is expected to increase as climate change advances. The team used individual-level physiology data to inform biogeographic models to better understand the impact of high temperatures on avian communities, a step in analyzing risk of local extirpation. Credit University of New Mexico/Tom Kennedy Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.