About Birds

Milagra, Condor 1221, perches on a rocky cliffside overlooking a valley during sunset.
Witness the Inspiring Release of Milagra, the Condor Rescued as an Egg After Bird Flu Killed Her Mother
October 09, 2024 — Hatched and raised in captivity, the young bird has defied the odds, returning more than a year later to a wild flock still reeling from disease and lead poisoning.
Portrait of Samuel Henderson wearing binoculars, smiling.
Meet the Kid Who Wowed the Internet With His Incredibly Accurate Bird Calls
October 07, 2024 — The talented 10-year-old’s performance at a school talent show recently went viral on TikTok after folks couldn't believe their ears.
A Killdeer standing in grass with its beak wide open.
10 Fun Facts About the Killdeer
September 30, 2024 — Even if you haven’t seen one, chances are good you’ve heard this notoriously noisy shorebird.
A White-throated Sparrow perches on a branch with its head back, singing.
Do You Speak Warblish?
September 27, 2024 — A relatively new field of research focuses on the rich history of pairing birdsong with human language.
A Red-flanked Bluetail perches on a thin branch against a green background.
How Rare Is That Rare Bird?
September 23, 2024 — When you consider all the factors that go into the unlikeliest vagrant sightings, it makes you wonder ...
A Peregrine Falcon standing on sandy ground with metal ID bands on both legs.
Why Are Peregrine Falcon Numbers Falling in the United States Again?
September 17, 2024 — In a decline not seen since the DDT era, the spectacular raptors have noticeably decreased in numbers over the past two years. Some concerned experts believe avian flu is to blame.
Portrait of a mottled brown Rock Ptarmigan looking straight on at the camera.
It’s One of the Biggest Events in a Bird’s Life. Scientists Can’t Agree How to Talk About It.
September 12, 2024 — Every species replaces its feathers by molting, but a passionate debate among ornithologists about what to call the plumage swaps spans oceans and generations.
Two Bald Eagles stand on a branch looking down at a juvenile hawk who is looking up at them with its mouth open.
A Teen Photographer Captured a Raptor Rarity: Bald Eagles Raising a Red-tailed Hawk Chick
September 03, 2024 — Fresh off a win in the ÃÛèÖAPP Photography Awards, Parham Pourahmad shares how his fast-growing passion for photographing wildlife led him to document the unusual avian adoption.
Two warblers stand in shallow water next to logs and rocks.
A New Study Reveals Migration Isn’t a Solo Affair—It’s the Social Event of the Season
August 26, 2024 — Migrants face myriad challenges. That's why certain songbird species choose to travel (and possibly even work) together, according to research drawing on a trove of bird banding records.
Two hummingbirds on a small branch fighting with each other.
Why Do Hummingbirds Fight So Much?
August 21, 2024 — For hungry hummers in need of nectar to fuel their high-speed lives, territorial disputes can get ugly.