Science

Bird Population Plummets in Piñon Forests Pummeled by Climate Change
August 14, 2018 — In just a decade, three quarters of birds vanished after drought, heat stress, and beetles killed millions of piñon trees in the southwest.
Court Orders EPA to Ban Pesticide Harmful to Children and Birds Within 60 Days
August 10, 2018 — Last year the agency revoked a proposed ban on chlorpyrifos, which causes brain damage, against the recommendation of its own science.
What Are Fecal Sacs? Bird Diapers, Basically
August 07, 2018 — That's right, many chicks produce a portable case for their poop. Here are some possible reasons why.
Bering Island Was a Giant, Extinct Seabird’s Last Stand
July 25, 2018 — New fossils show that the Spectacled Cormorant, an enormous bird once native to Japan, had a much wider range than anyone thought.
Think Crow Funerals Are Strange? Wait Until You See the Wake
July 23, 2018 — New research shows that American Crows will occasionally interact with the dead—including engaging in necrophilia.
Here's Why This Mama Merganser Has More Than 50 Ducklings
July 13, 2018 — A photographer in Minnesota recently captured an adorable shot of a Common Merganser followed by dozens of fuzzy babies.
Great Horned Owl Takes Another Chick From Hog Island Osprey Nest
July 12, 2018 — Four nights after the first attack, the owl returned to Steve and Rachel’s nest despite the recent addition of lights as a deterrent.
The Origins of Hummingbirds Are Still a Major Mystery
July 12, 2018 — There is a dazzling diversity of the tiny birds in the Americas, but recent discoveries trace their evolution back to Europe—where today there are no nectar-feeding species.
Swamp Sparrows Have Been Singing the Same Tune for Centuries
June 26, 2018 — By memorizing the common local language and sifting out the rest, young sparrows choose tradition over variance.
Why Some Songbirds Kick Their Chicks Out Before They Can Fly
June 22, 2018 — A new study finds that nest type plays a big role in how long young birds can live at home.