Are We Entering a New Golden Age of Guano?
A history of civilization could be written in fertilizers. And the history of guano—bird poop—tells us a lot about slavery, imperialism, and U.S. expansion.
Meet the Secretary Bird, Snake Nemesis
If snakes have nightmares, they most likely include secretary birds (or secretarybirds)—so-called because the birds’ crests, when flattened against the head, ...
Teddy Roosevelt Weighs in on the Evolution of Camouflage
In the years after his presidency, Roosevelt sent a letter to The Condor magazine criticizing painter Abbott Thayer's theory of animal camouflage.
The Sad Story of Booming Ben, Last of the Heath Hens
Grassland-dwelling heath hen and prairie chicken populations across the country are in trouble. Loss of habitat continues to threaten their numbers.
Raptors Are Avian Arsonists
Raptors are proving to be great problem-solvers. Falcons, for instance, start their own fires to flush out prey.
Are Mute Swans a Harmful Invasive Species?
Mute swans are the poster child for a harmful species protected by strong public goodwill.
![By Martinvl (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://daily.jstor.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/TowerLondonRavens_1050x700-600x400.jpg)
The Truth Behind the Tower Ravens
Fakelore: the deliberate fabrication of a folklore. A term that perfectly describes the legend of the Tower Ravens, the birds of the Tower of London.
Blackpoll Warblers: Tiny Bird, Huge Journey
Blackpoll warblers make a 1,500 mile, non-stop flight over the Atlantic