Science

These Photos Reveal the Pollination Secrets of Florida’s Most Elusive Flower
July 11, 2019 — Despite extensive efforts, nobody had ever definitively documented the pollination of the ghost orchid, a mysterious plant that grows in the towering trees of the Everglades—until now.
Hello, Mountain-gem! The 2019 Update To North American Bird Names Is Here.
July 05, 2019 — An emerging duck trio and some other new labels to consider.
These Birds of Prey Have Eyes in the Backs of Their Heads
July 02, 2019 — With feathers that look like eye spots, some falcons, hawks, and owls are always watching.
Lead Ammo, the Top Threat to Condors, Is Now Outlawed in California
July 01, 2019 — Bullet fragments routinely poison California Condors. With cooperation from hunters, the ban could be a turning point for the endangered icons.
Female Cerulean Warblers Chirp Away at Birdsong Stereotypes
June 24, 2019 — Though females of this species aren't known to sing, that didn’t stop two in Indiana from belting out new tunes.
Did Neanderthals Catch and Kill Golden Eagles for Their Feathers and Talons?
June 21, 2019 — New evidence suggests that the ancient hominids held raptors in high esteem—and might have even passed that practice to us.
Saving Colombia's Forests Is Crucial to Protect Prothonotary Warblers
June 19, 2019 — A new study shows that almost the entire population winters in a region with rampant deforestation—a finding that could help target conservation.
Overcrowding Might be Driving Bald Eagles to Nest on Beaches
June 18, 2019 — On the Virginia Barrier Islands, five ground nests have been found in the past six years—something never before seen on the East Coast.
Exotic Parrot Colonies Are Flourishing Across the Country
June 05, 2019 — From Los Angeles to Miami, feral parrots have become a common sight. Are they invasive pests, or a conservation boon?
A Treasure Trove of 40,000 Bird Specimens Brought to Light
May 31, 2019 — Alongside experts, students are working at the American Museum of Natural History to sort and organize data from the longest ornithological voyage in history.