Birds
King Penguins Stressed Out By Scientists And Tourists
The king penguins appear to be habituated to the presence of humans, but a new study finds that even limited human contact may be negatively affecting them
July 11, 2012 |
By Sarah Zielinski
Did All Dinosaurs Have Feathers?
A newly-discovered fossil raises the possibility that all dinosaur lineages were fuzzy.
July 05, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
A Sneak Peek at a New Dinosaur
Argentina unveils a new dinosaur to celebrate the country's bicentennial.
July 03, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
How Do Birds Find Their Way Home?
Birds must be geniuses because they use quantum mechanics to navigate
May 2012 |
By Laura Helmuth
Make Way for the African Penguins
Few places let you get as close to the raffish birds—many of which are endangered—as South Africa’s Robben Island
May 2012 |
By Charles Bergman
Dinosaur Egg Hunt
A well-timed analysis suggests that non-avian dinosaurs, not the Easter bunny, are the best candidates for laying the candy eggs hidden away on lawns
April 06, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
Microraptor Was a Glossy Dinosaur
The feathered, four-winged dinosaur had a glorious sheen
March 09, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
The Story of the Most Common Bird in the World
Why do we love what is rare and despise what is all around us?
March 02, 2012 |
By Rob Dunn
The Wandering Albatross and Global Warming
The giant oceanic birds are producing more and plumper chicks, at least for now
February 08, 2012 |
By Greg Laden
Telomeres and Longevity in Zebra Finches
A study in birds confirms that protective caps on chromosomes predict a longer lifespan
February 02, 2012 |
By Greg Laden
Dinosaurs of a Feather
Some researchers insist that birds are not dinosaurs, but do they have any evidence?
January 13, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
Birds Have No Reason to Like Fireworks
New Year's Eve fireworks can badly startle and disorient birds
December 30, 2011 |
By Sarah Zielinski
Top Ten Science Blog Posts of 2011
Cats, zombies, earthquakes, chickens--our readers have an eclectic taste
December 28, 2011 |
By Sarah Zielinski
How to Turn a Dinosaur Into a Bird
Two classic bits of animation beautifully visualized the evolution of birds from dinosaurs
December 28, 2011 |
By Brian Switek
Huxley’s Apocryphal Dinosaur Dinner
Fossil lore says 19th century naturalist T.H. Huxley realized that birds were dinosaurs when he carved into a Christmas turkey, but what really happened?
December 22, 2011 |
By Brian Switek
Hitchcock’s Primeval Birds
Paleontologist Edward Hitchcock was one of the first dinosaur track experts, but why did he insist that birds left the footprints?
December 19, 2011 |
By Brian Switek
The City Bird and the Country Bird
As in Aesop's fable, there are advantages and disadvantages for birds living in the city
December 07, 2011 |
By Sarah Zielinski
The Columbines and Their Pollinators: An Evolutionary Tale
New research provides insight into an evolutionary concept introduced by Charles Darwin
December 02, 2011 |
By Sarah Zielinski
How A Pigeon Is Like A Helicopter
The bird changes direction with its whole body
November 29, 2011 |
By Sarah Zielinski
Was Tyrannosaurus a Big Turkey?
Tyrannosaurus has an image as the apex of the apex predators, and maybe that's why people get upset when paleontologists suggest it was at least partly covered in a coat of feathers
November 23, 2011 |
By Brian Switek
