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Birding 101: The Fear of Getting Started
For folks looking to try birding for the first time, getting started can be daunting. Should you learn every species’ call, every subtle feather pattern before you head out to look for birds? While i…
Published on 1 year, 11 months ago
Building Birds with LEGO
Thomas Poulsom is a hobbyist LEGO builder best known for his models of birds. But making birds out of bricks isn't easy. That’s why he uses special pieces to sculpt something entirely different — lik…
Published on 2 years ago
The Laughing Goose
The hoots of the Greater White-fronted Goose inspired a nickname, the “Laughing Goose.” A little smaller than Canada Geese, these gray-brown birds are named for the band of white around the base of …
Published on 2 years ago
Long-eared Owl - You Don’t See Me!
Long-eared Owls aren’t rare, and they don’t live in remote locations. But their plumage and habits make them incredibly elusive. The mixture of warm browns and cool, bark-like grays lends the bird an…
Published on 2 years ago
The Andean Cock-of-the-Rock
The Andean-Cock-of-the-Rock sounds like a cross between a chainsaw and a squealing pig. The national bird of Peru, male birds of this species sport a splendid bright red plumage along with a head cre…
Published on 2 years ago
Museum Eggs Help Solve Mysteries
There are five million bird eggs stowed away in museums across the world — and the study of eggs, called oology, can give us great insight into birds. The link between DDT and the decline of Peregrin…
Published on 2 years ago
How Much Do Birds Eat?
There used to be a saying about somebody who doesn’t eat much — “she eats like a bird.” But how much does a bird typically eat? As a rule of thumb, the smaller the bird, the more food it needs relati…
Published on 2 years ago
In Winter, Puffins Lead Very Different Lives
Every summer, puffins — like this Horned Puffin — grow blazingly colorful layers over the bases of their huge beaks. But in the winter, puffins lead very different lives, and they shed their bright o…
Published on 2 years ago
Dwain Vaughns, II, on Seeing Plane Physics in Birds
Dwain Vaughns, II, worked as a pilot for 11 years until he developed a rare chronic pain condition called complex regional pain syndrome after an accident. As part of a recreational therapy program, …
Published on 2 years ago
Winter - Nature’s Cold Storage
For birds and other animals with good natural insulation, winter provides a striking benefit as they scavenge. Bacteria function very slowly or not at all in the cold, preventing dead bodies from rot…
Published on 2 years ago