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Barn Swallow, Natural Pest Control
Barn Swallows have adapted to nesting near people, and build their cup-shaped mud nests in barns or garages, or on protected ledges, often near each other. The good news? These twittery, flittery bir…
Published on 2 years, 6 months ago
The Secretarybird: Eagle on Stilts
The Secretarybird of sub-Saharan Africa looks like a slim eagle set on the long, slender legs of a crane. Secretarybirds can fly but prefer to hunt on foot, walking over 20 miles a day and dispatchin…
Published on 2 years, 6 months ago
Making Wind Farms Safer for Birds
Climate change poses a big threat to all life on earth, and birds are no exception. Garry George is the director of the Clean Energy Initiative for the National Audubon Society, and he says that wind…
Published on 2 years, 6 months ago
Voices and Vocabularies - Robin's Evening Song
During the day, an American Robin, a member of the thrush family, sings a lovely, familiar song of rich phrases. But as the sun begins to set, robin song takes on a different character. From sunset u…
Published on 2 years, 6 months ago
Voices and Vocabularies - Songs Long and Short
When a Sage Thrasher, perched on a clump of sagebrush, tips its head back to sing, the notes rush forth. They often sing non-stop for at least two minutes. In stark comparison, the song of this Brewe…
Published on 2 years, 6 months ago
Drinking on the Wing
Many birds drink while standing — dipping their beaks into a pond or birdbath, taking a beakful, and then tossing their heads back to swallow the water. But drinking on the wing suits swallows best. …
Published on 2 years, 6 months ago
Western Tanagers Are Flashes of Bright Color
Western Tanagers dart from tree to tree, on the lookout for delicious bugs. They’ll find them by scanning the tree bark — or maybe snatching them from mid-air during flight — a tactic called hawking.…
Published on 2 years, 7 months ago
Instrumental Bird Sounds
Birds communicate with a fascinating array of instrumental sounds, and nearly all are made with their feathers or bills. The territorial drumming of a woodpecker - like this Black-backed Woodpecker -…
Published on 2 years, 7 months ago
Júlia d’Oliveira on Recreating Extinct Animals
Júlia d’Oliveira is a paleoartist who brings extinct species to life in artwork. For each species she illustrates, she learns everything she can about the species to come up with a realistic portrait…
Published on 2 years, 7 months ago
Don’t Separate People from Nature
The environmental movement has historically been very white. As a conservation scientist for the National Wildlife Federation, Corina Newsome works with government agencies to make sure that conserva…
Published on 2 years, 7 months ago