Oz birds now reverse their sex

Scientists have documented a surprising rate of sex reversal in wild Australian birds, a phenomenon that could be explained by rising pollution or other environmental triggers.

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Sydney -

A study of five common Australian species, including kookaburras, magpies and lorikeets, found about 6% of birds had the chromosomes of one sex but the reproductive organs of another.

The findings indicated a surprisingly high number of birds had reversed their sex after birth, said researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast.