Birds
Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet? (and Other Absurd Scientific Studies)
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Scientists figured the answers to this and other pressing questions once and for all
June 11, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Scientists Discover the Genetic Reason Why Birds Don’t Have Penises
Developing bird embryos do have penis precursors, it turns out, but a genetic signal causes the penis cells to die off during gestation
June 06, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
When Large Birds Disappear, Rainforests Suffer
A century after toucans and toucanets disappeared from patches of Brazilian jungle, trees have evolved to have smaller, weaker seeds
May 30, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
What Animal Sounds Look Like
Mark Fischer, a software developer in California, turns data from recordings of whales, dolphins and birds into psychedelic art
May 30, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
For Some Species, You Really Are What You Eat
Flamingos, shrimp and many other animals use chemical compounds found in their diets to color their exteriors
April 24, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Where Have the Trees of Guam Gone?
Scientists are investigating whether the obliteration of the island's bird species is thinning the tree canopy and could ultimately alter the forests' structure
April 11, 2013 |
By Claire Martin
How Do Roosters Know When to Crow?
Their internal circadian rhythms keep them crowing on schedule, even when the lights are turned off
March 18, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Prehistoric Birds May Have Used Four Wings to Fly
A study of fossils of prehistoric birds suggests two sets of wings—one set on the creature's hind legs—helped avians stay aloft
March 14, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
The (Natural) World, According to Our Photo Contest Finalists
From a caterpillar to the Milky Way, the ten finalists in the contest's Natural World category capture the peculiar, the remarkable and the sublime
March 07, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
How Emperor Penguins Survive Antarctica’s Subzero Cold
The birds' plumage is even colder than the surrounding air, paradoxically insulating them from heat loss
March 05, 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
How Two Women Ended the Deadly Feather Trade
100 years ago, birds like the snowy egret were on the brink of extinction, all because of their sought-after plumage
March 2013 |
By William Souder
A Valentine for Sci-Art Lovers
A clever print by designer Jacqueline Schmidt pays homage to 12 different species with one thing in common—they mate for life
February 14, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Outrageous Taxidermy, the Subject of a New Show on AMC
Former Smithsonian taxidermist Paul Rhymer is a judge on "Immortalized," a TV competition that pits up-and-comers against superstars in the field
February 14, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Meet Indonesia’s New Owl Species
The new species of owl makes a distinctive "pwok" call and is unique to just one island in Indonesia
February 13, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Is It Love? Why Some Ocean Animals (Sort Of) Mate For Life
A look at the mating systems of some monogamous ocean animals show that finding life partners helps species protect themselves and their young
February 13, 2013 |
By Emily Frost
Can Birds Survive Climate Change?
Predicted increases in torrential rain and severe drought will force birds in Asia to relocate in search of food and viable habitat, a new study finds
February 08, 2013 |
By Claire Martin
Solving the Mystery of Owls’ Head-Turning Abilities
New research shows how owls can swivel their heads around without cutting off blood supply to their brains
February 01, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Feral Cats Kill Billions of Small Critters Each Year
A new study shows that cats--especially feral ones--kill far more birds and small mammals than scientists previously thought
January 29, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
The Gory Details of Artist Katrina van Grouw’s Unfeathered Birds
A British artist, with experience in ornithology, explains how she created anatomical drawings of 200 different species of birds for a new book
January 18, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
