Science

A Tiny Parrot Wearing Goggles Is Teaching Scientists How Birds Fly
December 08, 2016 — A daring experiment, led by a bird named Obi, is overturning what scientists know about how birds stay airborne.
What Exactly Are Flamingos Anyway?
December 05, 2016 — Are they herons? Some type of ibis? And why are they pink?
Under Metallic Starling Colonies, Wildlife Gather for Impromptu Feeding Frenzies
December 02, 2016 — More than 40 species鈥攊ncluding rare cockatoos and tree snakes鈥攁re drawn to these pop-up ecosystems during Australia's monsoon season.
Get Lost in These Entrancing Photos of Exotic Museum Specimens
November 30, 2016 — For a recent project, artist Ernest Goh took inspiration from naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace and the Malay Archipelago's rich faunal history.
The Clever Ways Common Redpolls Survive Harsh Northern Winters
November 28, 2016 — Instead of flying south, these birds hunker down鈥攁nd eat a lot.
The Common Swift Is No Longer the Fastest-Flying Animal
November 21, 2016 — And here's a surprise: It wasn't even dethroned by another bird.
Why Frigatebirds Can't Float
November 21, 2016 — The seabirds can stay aloft over the open ocean for months, but they don't really have a choice.
The Surprising Way Seabird Poop Helps Keep the Arctic Cool
November 17, 2016 — New research suggests that the ammonia in seabird waste plays a part in the formation of sunlight-reflecting clouds.
The Origins of Our Misguided Hatred for Pigeons
November 14, 2016 — Perhaps the problem with those 鈥渞ats with wings鈥 lies with us, not them.
Why Do Some Seabirds Eat So Much Plastic? It Smells Like Food.
November 09, 2016 — New research shows that certain seabirds associate a scent produced by common plastics with potential meals鈥攎uch to their detriment.