Explore Birds

A yellow bird with a white ring around its eye perches on a branch.
This Non-Native Songbird Is Taking Over California—Will the Rest of the Country Be Next?
May 06, 2025 — The Swinhoe’s White-eye—a small yellow bird native to Asia—has rapidly spread throughout the state and beyond in the past decade, surprising birders and experts alike.
Bird News
A plain, gray bird perches on a thin, curvy branch.
Researchers Favor Beautiful, Colorful Birds in Scientific Studies, New Analysis Finds
April 25, 2025 — A review of 50 years of ornithological literature revealed a strong bias for familiar, visually appealing species over avians with drabber features. Here's why that's worrisome for conservation.
Conservation News
Clear liquid trickles out of a hummingbird hovering in midair.
Do Birds Pee? Hummingbirds Do—a Lot
April 23, 2025 — Unlike most other avians, hummers urinate in a stream much like mammals, releasing liquid waste often and out of necessity.
Bird Questions and Facts
The Ballad of U10: How One Mischievous Bird Taught Me to Love Gulls Even More
April 17, 2025 — After a chance beach encounter with a banded Herring Gull, cartoonist Rosemary Mosco dug deep into the surprisingly popular bird's life and adventures.
Arts & Culture
Portrait of a ptarmigan in mostly white plumage and a bright red eyebrow.
This Grouse Is Going Viral: Meet the Willow Ptarmigan, AKA the ‘Awebo’ Bird
April 11, 2025 — This charismatic species from the Arctic tundra has become an internet sensation thanks to its bizarre calls and meme-worthy behavior.
Arts & Culture
A woman stands on a rocky shore holding binoculars and looking into the distance.
Behind the (Birding) Scenes on the Show ‘The Residence’
April 08, 2025 — Bird expert Kenn Kaufman shares his experience as a consultant for the birdy new Netflix series.
Movies & TV
A dock with birds on it in a lake with people on a walkway behind
Spotting Banded Black Skimmers in an Unusual Winter Location
April 04, 2025 — The skimmers recorded in North Central Florida are migrants from northeastern states.
Bird Migration
More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Heron Necks
April 03, 2025 — From how they work to why they're so long, we’ve got answers to all your (maybe?) burning questions.
Bird Questions and Facts
An aerial view of a snowy St. Matthew Island with a tiny spec of a human in the distance.
The Search for One of North America's Rarest Birds
March 31, 2025 — Scientists must journey to remote islands in the middle of the Bering Sea, braving uncertain conditions, to reach the breeding grounds of McKay's Buntings.
Photo Essay
An aerial landscape dotted with small bodies of water.
Birding Bucket List: Tour America's ‘Duck Factory' in the Bird-Packed Prairie Pothole Region
March 25, 2025 — Glacier-carved fields and ephemeral wetlands provide a crucial stopover for long-distance migrants and prolific breeding grounds for a wide variety of duck species and other waterfowl.
Destinations