About Birds

A chickadee perches on a sunflower extracting a seed with its beak.
How Plant Seeds Reshaped the Lives鈥攁nd Evolution鈥攐f Birds
March 04, 2025 — Plants didn't always use seeds to reproduce, but once they did, early avians were more than happy to indulge in the nutrient-rich morsels, kicking off a symbiotic relationship that persists today.
Books
A linocut depicting a lapwing, a map, an old book, and some tools on a wooden surface.
When People Dined On Robins and Other Avian Oddities From America's Past
February 27, 2025 — In his richly researched newsletter, amateur historian Robert Francis takes deep dives into the country's complicated and ever-changing relationship with birds.
Birds and History
A large flock of gulls stand in a parking lot.
Why Do Gulls Like Hanging Out in Parking Lots?
February 24, 2025 — A question we've all wondered. An answer that might surprise you.
Bird Questions and Facts
A hummingbird perched on a snowy, mossy branch flutters its wings.
Where Do Hummingbirds Go in the Winter? Do They Migrate?
January 17, 2025 — Some species migrate to far-off places while others keep it local. Here's a rundown of who goes where.
Bird Questions and Facts
Two female blackbirds in flight next to a male perched on a branch.
10 Fun Facts About the Red-winged Blackbird
December 10, 2024 — One you鈥檒l want to remember: They really, really like their personal space.
Bird Questions and Facts
The inside of a nest box containing a nest of sticks, four small eggs, and a snakeskin.
Some Birds Adorn Their Nests With Snakeskin to Scare Off Predators, New Study Finds
November 26, 2024 — Nests with shed skins have long fascinated ornithologists, but researchers only recently confirmed their use as a deterrent by cavity nesters.
Bird Nests and Breeding
A spider web made of pipe cleaners with fake spiders adorns the inside of a window, looking out on pumpkins on a picnic table.
How to Have a Bird-Friendly Halloween
October 18, 2024 — Follow these tips to ensure your spooky celebrations don't create a scary situation for birds.
At Home
Milagra, Condor 1221, perches on a rocky cliffside overlooking a valley during sunset.
Witness the Inspiring Release of Milagra, the Condor Rescued as an Egg After Bird Flu Killed Her Mother
October 09, 2024 — Hatched and raised in captivity, the young bird has defied the odds, returning more than a year later to a wild flock still reeling from disease and lead poisoning.
Conservation News
Portrait of Samuel Henderson wearing binoculars, smiling.
Meet the Kid Who Wowed the Internet With His Incredibly Accurate Bird Calls
October 07, 2024 — The talented 10-year-old鈥檚 performance at a school talent show recently went viral on TikTok after folks couldn't believe their ears.
Arts & Culture
A Killdeer standing in grass with its beak wide open.
10 Fun Facts About the Killdeer
September 30, 2024 — Even if you haven鈥檛 seen one, chances are good you鈥檝e heard this notoriously noisy shorebird.
Bird Questions and Facts