Birds
Birds
Articles tagged with "Birds"
Meet the people preserving the practice of bird banding
Birds migrate across the world; so do the volunteers who come together for annual bird-banding efforts. But the impacts of U.S. funding cuts threaten to spread across the border, imperiling the future of conservation
City birds appear to like men more than women, but experts have no idea why
Despite being surrounded by a multitude of people, urban birds may be picky about who can approach them, new research suggests. After surveying over 37 city bird species in five European countries, experts found that the avians fled sooner when approached by women than by men.
Iconic endangered bird returned to New Zealand's capital after a century's absence
The kiwi , New Zealand ’s sacred national bird, vanished from the hills around Wellington more than a century ago. Now the capital’s residents are waging an improbable citizen campaign to return the endangered flightless birds to the city.
'I'm more hopeful that birds can endure than maybe even our own species'
In a new book, paleontologist Steve Brusatte tells the wild story of how birds evolved during the Jurassic and took to the skies, surviving the asteroid strike that killed their fellow dinosaurs.
This kea parrot is the first-known disabled alpha male
With half a beak, Bruce has developed an innovative fighting style that has won the kea top status in his flock, videos and documented interactions reveal.
Watch Bruce the parrot defeat his rivals with only half a beak
Kea parrots are known for being extremely curious and capable of solving complex problems ; they can even make each other chuckle. Now, for the first time, a kea named Bruce has demonstrated skilled combat techniques after losing his upper beak.
Bruce the parrot is missing his upper beak — but that hasn't stopped him from becoming an undefeated jousting champion
Bruce the parrot uses his injured beak to win competitions with other male parrots. (Image credit: Alex Grabham) A New Zealand parrot that's missing the entire top half of its beak has developed a unique jousting technique to attain top social status, researchers report in a new study.
‘How much have we missed?’: book tunes in to overlooked world of female birdsong
When we hear the beautiful call of a bird from a high bough, we’re told it’s likely to be a male – singing for territory, or belting out tunes to woo a female.
Why warblers face an increasingly treacherous spring migration
Each spring, these tiny birds fly thousands of miles north—but warming temperatures may be reshaping when and where they arrive.
The surprising hidden glow of one of Earth’s largest birds
Scientists were surprised to discover cassowaries glow under ultraviolet light. It may help the birds distinguish between different species.
Scientists just debunked a 50-year myth about Hawaii’s birds
A new study from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is reshaping a decades-old belief about the disappearance of Hawaiʻi's native waterbirds. Researchers report that there is no scientific evidence showing Indigenous People hunted these species to extinction.
World's fattest parrot — on the verge of extinction 30 years ago — has record-breaking breeding season
Conservationists are celebrating the 105th kākāpō chick to hatch during the 2026 breeding season — the highest number reported since such records began 30 years ago.
Hatchings of two California bald eagle chicks delight vast livestream audience
Over Easter weekend, thousands of people tuned in to celebrate something spectacular unfolding 145 feet up a pine tree in southern California ’s San Bernardino national forest – the hatchings of two bald eagle chicks.
The swift parrot’s distinctive call was recorded dozens of times in a patch of Tasmanian forest. Then the forest was logged
Scientists estimate the endangered bird’s population has slumped to about 750. But the logging agency responsible for clearing its habitat said it acted lawfully.
Atlantic puffins are returning to shore. Here’s how to see the fleeting spring spectacle.
After months at sea, the orange-beaked birds are gathering along coastal cliffs in a short but sensational migration. Atlantic puffins pair stand outside a nest burrow on Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom. Puffins return to coastal breeding colonies in early-to-mid April.
Shooting restricted for six British wild birds to halt population decline
Hunters will be banned from shooting a rare and beautiful duck under new proposals to halt the decline of six British wild birds.
How to Bring a Bird’s Song Back From the Edge of Extinction
In a new study, wild regent honeyeaters became vocal tutors, teaching their disappearing song to birds in a captive breeding program.
A total hoot! Beautiful birds – in pictures
From fluffy owlets to rosy-hued flamingos, Claire Rosen’s portraits of live birds took her on a journey that touched on colonialism, wallpaper design … and chickens.
Small changes in how we garden can make a big difference to birds
I was pleased to read Stephen Moss’s account of blue tits starting to sing in his garden as they gear up for nesting season ( Birdwatch: Blue tits are feisty and fascinating but often taken for granted, 11 March ).
Nightjars make 'remarkable comeback' to South Downs National Park
An ecological survey has found 109 nightjar territories in the lowland heaths of east Hampshire.
These nest cams offer a rare glimpse of bald eagles and their hatchlings
Discover the best locations across the country to see bald eagle nests and roosts up close this season. Bald eagles roost in a tree against dark clouds in Alaska.
Is the bird nest of the future 3D-printed and made of mushrooms?
As ancient, hollowed trees disappear in England, one researcher and his team are engineering prosthetic nests to provide an alternative home for endangered birds. Filipe Salbany, conservation lead at Blenheim place, positions a 3D-printed bird nest, left, next to a conventional version.
Why Namibia's 'green hydrogen' dream could be a red flag for penguins and succulents
A near pristine desert and coastal wilderness in Namibia could soon host a huge hydrogen production facility.
Extreme weather is hitting baby birds hard in a 60-year study
Decades of data from over 80,000 great tits reveal that extreme weather can shape the fate of baby birds. Cold snaps soon after hatching and heavy rain later in development shrink nestling body mass and reduce survival odds.
Half a million sandhill cranes are about to take to the skies—here’s how to see them
Birdwatchers have a rare chance to witness thousands of the towering birds gather in wetlands and fields of the Platte River Valley. Sandhill Cranes take flight at sunrise.
Meet the people preserving the practice of bird banding
Birds migrate across the world; so do the volunteers who come together for annual bird-banding efforts. But the impacts of U.S. funding cuts threaten to spread across the border, imperiling the future of conservation
City birds appear to like men more than women, but experts have no idea why
Despite being surrounded by a multitude of people, urban birds may be picky about who can approach them, new research suggests. After surveying over 37 city bird species in five European countries, experts found that the avians fled sooner when approached by women than by men.
Iconic endangered bird returned to New Zealand's capital after a century's absence
The kiwi , New Zealand ’s sacred national bird, vanished from the hills around Wellington more than a century ago. Now the capital’s residents are waging an improbable citizen campaign to return the endangered flightless birds to the city.
'I'm more hopeful that birds can endure than maybe even our own species'
In a new book, paleontologist Steve Brusatte tells the wild story of how birds evolved during the Jurassic and took to the skies, surviving the asteroid strike that killed their fellow dinosaurs.
This kea parrot is the first-known disabled alpha male
With half a beak, Bruce has developed an innovative fighting style that has won the kea top status in his flock, videos and documented interactions reveal.
Watch Bruce the parrot defeat his rivals with only half a beak
Kea parrots are known for being extremely curious and capable of solving complex problems ; they can even make each other chuckle. Now, for the first time, a kea named Bruce has demonstrated skilled combat techniques after losing his upper beak.
Bruce the parrot is missing his upper beak — but that hasn't stopped him from becoming an undefeated jousting champion
Bruce the parrot uses his injured beak to win competitions with other male parrots. (Image credit: Alex Grabham) A New Zealand parrot that's missing the entire top half of its beak has developed a unique jousting technique to attain top social status, researchers report in a new study.
‘How much have we missed?’: book tunes in to overlooked world of female birdsong
When we hear the beautiful call of a bird from a high bough, we’re told it’s likely to be a male – singing for territory, or belting out tunes to woo a female.
Why warblers face an increasingly treacherous spring migration
Each spring, these tiny birds fly thousands of miles north—but warming temperatures may be reshaping when and where they arrive.
The surprising hidden glow of one of Earth’s largest birds
Scientists were surprised to discover cassowaries glow under ultraviolet light. It may help the birds distinguish between different species.
Scientists just debunked a 50-year myth about Hawaii’s birds
A new study from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is reshaping a decades-old belief about the disappearance of Hawaiʻi's native waterbirds. Researchers report that there is no scientific evidence showing Indigenous People hunted these species to extinction.
World's fattest parrot — on the verge of extinction 30 years ago — has record-breaking breeding season
Conservationists are celebrating the 105th kākāpō chick to hatch during the 2026 breeding season — the highest number reported since such records began 30 years ago.
Hatchings of two California bald eagle chicks delight vast livestream audience
Over Easter weekend, thousands of people tuned in to celebrate something spectacular unfolding 145 feet up a pine tree in southern California ’s San Bernardino national forest – the hatchings of two bald eagle chicks.
The swift parrot’s distinctive call was recorded dozens of times in a patch of Tasmanian forest. Then the forest was logged
Scientists estimate the endangered bird’s population has slumped to about 750. But the logging agency responsible for clearing its habitat said it acted lawfully.
Atlantic puffins are returning to shore. Here’s how to see the fleeting spring spectacle.
After months at sea, the orange-beaked birds are gathering along coastal cliffs in a short but sensational migration. Atlantic puffins pair stand outside a nest burrow on Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom. Puffins return to coastal breeding colonies in early-to-mid April.
Shooting restricted for six British wild birds to halt population decline
Hunters will be banned from shooting a rare and beautiful duck under new proposals to halt the decline of six British wild birds.
How to Bring a Bird’s Song Back From the Edge of Extinction
In a new study, wild regent honeyeaters became vocal tutors, teaching their disappearing song to birds in a captive breeding program.
A total hoot! Beautiful birds – in pictures
From fluffy owlets to rosy-hued flamingos, Claire Rosen’s portraits of live birds took her on a journey that touched on colonialism, wallpaper design … and chickens.
Small changes in how we garden can make a big difference to birds
I was pleased to read Stephen Moss’s account of blue tits starting to sing in his garden as they gear up for nesting season ( Birdwatch: Blue tits are feisty and fascinating but often taken for granted, 11 March ).
Nightjars make 'remarkable comeback' to South Downs National Park
An ecological survey has found 109 nightjar territories in the lowland heaths of east Hampshire.
These nest cams offer a rare glimpse of bald eagles and their hatchlings
Discover the best locations across the country to see bald eagle nests and roosts up close this season. Bald eagles roost in a tree against dark clouds in Alaska.
Is the bird nest of the future 3D-printed and made of mushrooms?
As ancient, hollowed trees disappear in England, one researcher and his team are engineering prosthetic nests to provide an alternative home for endangered birds. Filipe Salbany, conservation lead at Blenheim place, positions a 3D-printed bird nest, left, next to a conventional version.
Why Namibia's 'green hydrogen' dream could be a red flag for penguins and succulents
A near pristine desert and coastal wilderness in Namibia could soon host a huge hydrogen production facility.
Extreme weather is hitting baby birds hard in a 60-year study
Decades of data from over 80,000 great tits reveal that extreme weather can shape the fate of baby birds. Cold snaps soon after hatching and heavy rain later in development shrink nestling body mass and reduce survival odds.
Half a million sandhill cranes are about to take to the skies—here’s how to see them
Birdwatchers have a rare chance to witness thousands of the towering birds gather in wetlands and fields of the Platte River Valley. Sandhill Cranes take flight at sunrise.
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