Bird News

A grid of six colorful hummingbirds.
Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your Western Hummingbirds?
July 10, 2025 — Think you can tell a Calliope from a Costa's? Let's find out.
Three people kneel on the floor holding fans made of Golden Eagle tail feathers in a dimly lit room filled with spiritual objects.
This Native-Run Raptor Center Is Safeguarding Sacred Birds, Feathers, and Practices
June 20, 2025 — A Comanche-led conservation project takes on an increasingly urgent mission: protecting the birds revered by many tribes while preserving traditions at the heart of their culture.
Conservation News
An Osprey flies holding grass in its talons.
The World’s Oldest Known Osprey Is an Online Sensation—and a Living Indicator of Watershed Health
May 19, 2025 — At 29, Iris the Osprey has outlived the odds to become a cherished internet star whose brood of offspring is helping track river health in Montana.
A yellow bird with a white ring around its eye perches on a branch.
This Non-Native Songbird Is Taking Over California—Will the Rest of the Country Be Next?
May 06, 2025 — The Swinhoe’s White-eye—a small yellow bird native to Asia—has rapidly spread throughout the state and beyond in the past decade, surprising birders and experts alike.
A plain, gray bird perches on a thin, curvy branch.
Researchers Favor Beautiful, Colorful Birds in Scientific Studies, New Analysis Finds
April 25, 2025 — A review of 50 years of ornithological literature revealed a strong bias for familiar, visually appealing species over avians with drabber features. Here's why that's worrisome for conservation.
Conservation News
A Vermilion Flycatcher splashes the surface of water with a fish in its beak.
‘Oh, Wow!’—Stunning Photos Offer First Known Proof of Vermilion Flycatchers Fishing
March 12, 2025 — An Arizona photographer’s images of Vermilion Flycatchers and Black Phoebes catching and eating fish—and one unlucky lizard—provide a rare glimpse into a little-known side of both birds.
Bird Behavior
Three bird-of-paradise specimens appearing to glow green under UV light on a black background.
Birds-of-Paradise Feathers Are More Than Flashy—They Glow
March 07, 2025 — Researchers recently discovered that dozens of species in the flamboyant family are biofluorescent, emitting a gleaming light that could enhance their mating displays.
Bird Science
The inside of a nest box containing a nest of sticks, four small eggs, and a snakeskin.
Some Birds Adorn Their Nests With Snakeskin to Scare Off Predators, New Study Finds
November 26, 2024 — Nests with shed skins have long fascinated ornithologists, but researchers only recently confirmed their use as a deterrent by cavity nesters.
Bird Nests and Breeding
A spider web made of pipe cleaners with fake spiders adorns the inside of a window, looking out on pumpkins on a picnic table.
How to Have a Bird-Friendly Halloween
October 18, 2024 — Follow these tips to ensure your spooky celebrations don't create a scary situation for birds.
At Home
Milagra, Condor 1221, perches on a rocky cliffside overlooking a valley during sunset.
Witness the Inspiring Release of Milagra, the Condor Rescued as an Egg After Bird Flu Killed Her Mother
October 09, 2024 — Hatched and raised in captivity, the young bird has defied the odds, returning more than a year later to a wild flock still reeling from disease and lead poisoning.
Conservation News