The First True Ornithologist
Though he was once dismissed as a dilettante, naturalist Francis Willughby was in fact part of the vanguard of observation-based modern science.
The Incredible Phasmid Egg
Stick insects have eggs that look exactly like seeds. Scientists can't figure out why these masters of camouflage would lay eggs that resemble bird snacks.
Russian Cuckoos are Invading Alaska. Songbirds, Beware!
Songbirds may loose their entire broods to cuckoos’ parasitic tricks.
Pigeon Whistles: From Utilitarian to Orchestral
Composition with pigeons. One flock's dynamic movement created a spatial music that was constantly crescendoing and dissipating in a long haunting chord.
The Connections Between Coffee and Biodiversity
A new study from the Western Ghats suggests that coffee cultivation does not interfere with bird biodiversity, regardless of what type of bean is grown.
Where Do City Birds Go for the Winter?
Cities can host surprisingly diverse bird species, apart from the ubiquitous pigeons and sparrows. Where do they go in the winter?
The Bird-Catching Pisonia Trees
Found mainly on Caribbean islands, Pisonia trees resemble any typical large, tropical tree. Typical, that is, until you notice the bones.
Crows Are Even Smarter Than We Thought
If crows like the New Caledonian Crow can plan out and create a specialized tool, then they seem to have smarts that rival those of early humans.
Is Human Noise Stressing Out Protected Wildlife?
A survey in the United States found that in more than half of protected areas human-caused sounds significantly increased background noise levels.
To Kill a Maltese Bird
The Mediterranean island nation of Malta is the scene of migratory bird massacres twice a year. Why do they continue to do it?