Science

How Bird Poop Helps Fight Climate Change
December 18, 2015 — New research shows that birds that eat fruit are keeping our forests strong. Unfortunately, many of those species are also in decline.
Bird IQ Tests: 8 Ways Researchers Test Bird Intelligence
December 09, 2015 — A crow is supposedly as smart as a 7-year-old. Here’s how scientists figured that—and other facts—out.
How to Protect Hawaii’s Rarest Birds From Avian Malaria
November 16, 2015 — As Hawaii heats up, mosquitoes will likely wreak havoc on the islands’ endemics. But there are still ways to save them.
6 Horrifying Bird Plagues—and How to Stop Them
November 01, 2015 — These tiny scourges can cause mass casualties among avians.
Why the Dodo Deserves a New Reputation
October 26, 2015 — Armed with 3-D scanning technology, one researcher is out to reinvent our perception of a long-extinct bird.
Gut Check: Autopsy Shows Mummified Kestrel Was Fed to Death
October 16, 2015 — A new study suggests that ancient Egyptians may have been the first to captive-breed—and force-feed—birds.
Moustached Kingfisher Photographed for First Time
September 29, 2015 — After evading scientists for decades, the adorable “ghost bird” of the Solomon Islands is finally ready for its close up.
How Island Birds Got Their Groove
September 24, 2015 — Species that live on small islands often barely resemble their mainland kin, thanks to evolution.
Why Love Matters to a Zebra Finch
September 18, 2015 — When birds choose their own mates, they're better partners and parents.
How Monk Parakeets Pick Their Battles
September 10, 2015 — New research shows that these social birds use logic to choose whom to bully.