Science

Paleontology and Private Fossil Collecting Can Be at Odds in the Hills of Wyoming
April 17, 2018 — With commercial demand for fossils high, scientists worry valuable discoveries from the bird-rich Green River Formation are being lost.
Research Reveals Exactly Why Peregrine Falcons Are so Deadly
April 13, 2018 — Cameras and simulations are finally enabling scientists to study the nuances of the raptors' extreme hunting techniques.
Hybrid Chickadees Are Terrible at Memory Games
April 03, 2018 — An evolutionary kink from crossbreeding might affect the birds' ability to survive in harsh conditions.
Why Anusha Shankar Doesn't Mind Being the 'Hummingbird Pee Person'
April 02, 2018 — By studying how the birds burn energy, the scientist hopes to better understand how animals can survive in a changing world.
Why Nancy Chen Is Mapping the Family Tree of Florida Scrub-Jays
March 29, 2018 — Understanding the bird's genetic diversity could yield insights about how best to protect it and other threatened species.
This Little Warbler Could Lead to Big Discoveries About Migration
March 28, 2018 — After bouncing back from near extinction, the Kirtland's Warbler is helping scientists understand the outsize role of winter habitat for migratory birds.
Snakes That Eat Other Snakes Could Help Birds in the South
March 26, 2018 — By restoring the country's indigo snake population, scientists hope to bring balance to ecosystems—potentially benefiting songbirds.
Misunderstanding Between Caterpillar and Hummingbird Leads to High-Stakes Face Off
March 23, 2018 — When a cleverly disguised caterpillar spooked a nesting Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, a dramatic exchange ensued.
Lady Lyrebirds Have a Voice, Too
March 16, 2018 — They were always singing. We were just distracted by the males.
How Expecting Mother Birds Can Prepare Chicks for a Risky World
March 13, 2018 — We’ve long assumed that stress is bad. But new research shows that it has some unexpected upsides, too.