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Minnesotans Embrace Their Inner Loons
Each year, adults and children gather in Crosslake, Minnesota to celebrate the incredible sounds of the Common Loon — the state bird of the land of 10,000 lakes — by belting out their best impression…
Published on 1 year, 4 months ago
Turkey Vulture - Sky Sailor
Although some of the Turkey Vulture's habits may evoke our disgust, these remarkable birds also inspire our awe. With wingspans approaching six feet, Turkey Vultures ride currents of air to make thei…
Published on 1 year, 4 months ago
When Does a Crossbill's Bill Cross?
A young crossbill starts life with a wedge-shaped beak. As it grows up and starts to feed itself by removing conifer seeds from their tough packaging, the tips of its bill begin to grow rapidly — and…
Published on 1 year, 4 months ago
Hovering with Horned Larks
Horned Larks rival meadowlarks as the most colorful birds of North American grasslands. They live in prairies, fields, and tundra, but agriculture and development now intrude on many of the Horned La…
Published on 1 year, 4 months ago
Looking Two Ways at Once
Great-tailed Grackles are known for their long, expressive tails, and their wide vocabulary of odd sounds. But this bird has another special trait. A researcher named Jessica Yorzinski has shown that…
Published on 1 year, 4 months ago
Making a Home Among the Saguaros
In the arid Arizona desert, where cacti thrive but trees are scarce, the Gila Woodpecker and Gilded Flicker carve out nest cavities in living saguaros. Tall, old saguaros may be pocked with twenty or…
Published on 1 year, 4 months ago
The Peabody Ducks
Twice every day, a rapt audience gathers at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee to see six local celebrities: five ducks and the hotel’s head Duckmaster, Kenon Walker, who leads them in “The Duck…
Published on 1 year, 4 months ago
Scintillating Starlings
In Africa, where there are dozens of starling species, a quick look reveals a variety of visual stunners. Some of the names hint at their dazzle: Superb Starling, as well as Golden-breasted, Emerald,…
Published on 1 year, 4 months ago
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
A male Buff-breasted Sandpiper courts a female on their breeding grounds far north of the Arctic Circle. He raises his wings, flashing their silvery-white undersides, as he sings his clicking serenad…
Published on 1 year, 4 months ago
Migration and Fat
If long migratory flights are amazing, what goes on inside a bird’s body during those flights seems absolutely astonishing. To store fat, birds may eat three times as much and forage over many more h…
Published on 1 year, 4 months ago