Science

Are Birds Aware of Their Camouflage? A New Study Suggests So
August 24, 2017 — Ground-nesting birds didn't just settle in spots that matched their species' markings—they hunkered down where their own patterns blended best.
How Weird Will Wildlife Get During the 2017 Solar Eclipse?
August 16, 2017 — To find out, two smartphone apps will give amateur naturalists and astronomers the ability to record their observations during the event.
How Much Should Major Polluters Pay? A DuPont Settlement Provides a Model
August 16, 2017 — A biologist traced mercury from a company spill to contamination in songbirds, and devised a new way to hold polluters financially accountable.
Female Birdsong Is Finally Getting the Attention It Deserves
August 15, 2017 — A new community-sourced project is tackling the gender and geographical skew in avian song research.
Good Grammar Is a Matter of Life or Death for Japanese Tits
August 09, 2017 — These chatty birds string their sentences together in a specific order to rally friends and fend off foes.
Being a Good American Kestrel Dad Comes at a Cost
August 08, 2017 — Why do male kestrels lose out to females for the best wintering sites? It goes back to their roles as breadwinners during the breeding season.
Mites Take Flight on Hummingbird Beaks
August 02, 2017 — Sean Graesser’s larger-than-life photos reveal a fascinating, tiny world where hummingbirds carry passengers aloft.
The Silent Flight of Owls, Explained
July 28, 2017 — Even large owls, like Barred and Barn Owls, manage to fly nearly silently through the trees. How do they pull it off—and why?
New Research Further Proves Native Plants Offer More Bugs for Birds
July 27, 2017 — The study found that oaks and other native trees deliver a major chunk of the Carolina Chickadee’s insect-intensive diet.
These Birds Like to Wear Makeup
July 21, 2017 — Only a handful of species in the world exhibit a rare behavior that researchers call 'avian cosmetics.' Why, though, isn't always clear.