When it comes to silly walks, no bird outdoes the American Woodcock’s one-of-a-kind strut. It goes like this: take one step forward, then rock your whole torso forward and back a few times before sliding another foot forward — all while keeping your head perfectly steady. They look like a bird with an undeniable […]
Flashes of yellow zip across your binos as warblers flit through the leaves foraging for insects. They are quick and beautiful, but who does that yellow belong to? At this time of year, male warblers in their breeding plumage are striking but can look similar – especially when they are moving quickly. Here are some […]
There used to be a saying about somebody who doesn’t eat much — “she eats like a bird.” Just a little of this and a smidgen of that. But how much does a bird typically eat? And how much would you have to eat to match it? Listen to this BirdNote podcast to […]
Get closer to owls with Jennifer Ackerman’s insightful and beautifully written New York Times Best-selling book “What An Owl Knows.” Owls appear to us to be elusive and enigmatic. But isn’t that because we really don’t understand them? Ackerman’s thorough research and compelling writing style draw the reader into the stories of many different […]
Most owls hunt during the quiet and cover of night, and their specialized senses and bodies make it possible for them to locate prey in darkness. They also have the ability to fly silently making it possible to ambush their prey by flying very close to their target to determine exactly where it is, completely […]
When you think about woodpeckers, it is likely their tongues aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. But their tongues can reach up to 1/3 of their body length! They are also very specialized and serve several purposes – at least one of which might really surprise you. With a tongue that long, the […]
When breeding season is over, most birds change their feathers from the now worn out, flashy ones males needed to impress a potential mate, to the more subdued feathers that will get them more safely to their overwintering site and through the winter. After a spring migration and hectic breeding season, birds’ feathers can […]
When we see birds like grackles or blackbirds, we say they’re black. Indeed, their feathers do appear to be black but if you take a look at them in a different light, they may be a brownish-black or the case of grackles for example, maybe an iridescent purple or blue. But recently, scientists discovered […]
Twice each year, about 4 billion birds in North America make what can only be described as a series of continuous ultramarathons — flying unbelievably taxing journeys north and south between the Americas, sometimes flying for days at a time over open water, without eating, sleeping, or touching down. Making these migratory journeys is so […]
Everything we learn about hummingbirds seems extreme. And here’s the latest news: Scientists at Cornell discovered that hummingbirds are able to exert fairly precise control over the energy they produce in the way of body heat during torpor- a state which is not sleeping and not hibernation, but a kind of brief overnight energy […]
Words can’t adequately describe the life and experience of Hudsonian Godwits. Until recently, the lives of this large, graceful shorebird were a mystery. But what scientists are now discovering about these birds and their future is both awe-inspiring and alarming. Hudsonian Godwits are one of 70 species of birds that twice-yearly fly a dangerous, harrowing, […]
When you started learning to identify birds, which plumage and songs did you learn? Most likely it was males. In some respects, it makes sense as males defend territories with their vibrant songs and their breeding plumage is usually more unique and flashier than female plumage for a reason – females need to be inconspicuous […]
Owls seem to be able to turn their heads almost all the way around! That sounds a little improbable, but it is true that they have the ability to swivel their head nearly all the way around. The thing is they have eyes that are fixed in their sockets so head rotation is the […]
Migration is the most dangerous time of a bird’s life. Not all birds migrate, but those who do often face daunting flights and disruptions along their routes. Nothing is certain. And the longer the flight, the more arduous and event-filled it can be. This article by Birdlife International tells the stories of seven birds whose journeys test their […]
Writer and researcher Scott Weidensaul is an expert on migration. In his new book, A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds, he gets into their amazing feats of migration and the new technologies giving us insights into how they make their global journeys. Scott also explores the threats facing migratory birds […]
Owls seem to be able to turn their heads almost all the way around! That sounds a little improbable, but it is true that they have the ability to swivel their head nearly all the way around. The thing is they have eyes that are fixed in their sockets so head rotation is the […]
Male birds are often flashy looking during mating season. The idea has always been that deep and bright colors let the ladies know these guys are very healthy and would make a good catch. The right diet and overall tiptop health has been believed to enable them to pack loads of carotenoids into their feathers to flash […]
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Shorebirds embody the word “superlative” in almost every way. As a species, they make some of the toughest and longest distance migrations in the world. And now, a new official record for marathon non-stop flight has been set by a satellite tagged Bar-tailed Godwit who recently made a 12,000+ km (7,500 miles) migration with a small flock […]
You don’t need to go outside to get to know birds: Try drawing them instead. David Sibley, the ornithologist who wrote and illustrated The Sibley Guide to Birds, created a video for Audubon that shows how to sketch a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Get out a piece of paper and a pencil or crayon and try it yourself! Check out […]
Ever wonder why shorebirds have different colored legs? It’s not by accident! Nature has a plan for shorebirds to be able to see where they are going no matter where they are walking. Sound intriguing? Listen to this BirdNote piece! Yellowlegs; Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan Photo Credit: Deborah Rivel Birds beaks have to be tough, durable, super lightweight and made to exactly fit the job they are designed to do. So, what are they made from anyway? Listen to Birdnote to find out.
What’s Cool About Raptors Birds of prey, or “raptors” are a group of birds including hawks, eagles, vultures, falcons, and owls. They share two key characteristics: all have hooked beaks for tearing flesh, and sharp talons for grasping prey. These birds are an important part of maintaining a healthy ecosystem by feeding on insects, rodents, […]