https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/migration/RSS feed for MigrationenTue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-new-big-database-of-dna-from-indigenous-americans-shakes-up-scientific-theories-about-human-settlement-of-south-america-180988628/Genomic data provides evidence for a previously unknown wave of migration, with Indigenous groups living in central and southern Mexico spreading into South America and the Caribbean starting around 1,300 years agoTue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-new-big-database-of-dna-from-indigenous-americans-shakes-up-scientific-theories-about-human-settlement-of-south-america-180988628/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/watch-these-rock-climbing-fish-scale-a-50-foot-waterfall-in-the-congo-basin-the-first-known-evidence-of-this-behavior-in-africa-180988502/The tiny fish, called shellears, use microscopic hook-like growths on their fins to ascend—and they take a lot of breaks. The full climb probably takes about ten hours, according to a new studyThu, 09 Apr 2026 15:02:25 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/watch-these-rock-climbing-fish-scale-a-50-foot-waterfall-in-the-congo-basin-the-first-known-evidence-of-this-behavior-in-africa-180988502/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/purple-martins-rely-on-human-landlords-to-provide-nest-boxes-each-spring-can-that-dynamic-last-180988478/The large swallows have nested alongside human settlements for centuries. Now, the birds' breeding success depends on caretakers who are beginning to age out of the roleFri, 03 Apr 2026 12:33:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/purple-martins-rely-on-human-landlords-to-provide-nest-boxes-each-spring-can-that-dynamic-last-180988478/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/whooping-cranes-came-back-from-the-brink-of-extinction-now-new-threats-are-converging-on-their-texas-wintering-grounds-180987950/Some residents along the Gulf Coast are creating habitat for the endangered birds on their properties, but development, saltwater intrusion and bird flu are putting pressure on the species' recoveryThu, 08 Jan 2026 12:30:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/whooping-cranes-came-back-from-the-brink-of-extinction-now-new-threats-are-converging-on-their-texas-wintering-grounds-180987950/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-ten-best-photography-books-of-2025-180987815/Our favorite titles this year invite readers to take in the beauty of nature and our cultural ritualsTue, 09 Dec 2025 19:54:59 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-ten-best-photography-books-of-2025-180987815/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/watch-suckerfish-hitch-a-wild-ride-on-humpback-whales-in-rare-video-footage-180987695/Suckerfish—also known as remoras—are harmless, but the whales didn't seem to be fans of their hitchhikingFri, 14 Nov 2025 21:15:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/watch-suckerfish-hitch-a-wild-ride-on-humpback-whales-in-rare-video-footage-180987695/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/light-pollution-is-making-days-longer-for-birds-extending-the-hours-when-theyll-sing-180987221/A new study looked at millions of recordings of birdsong and found that some species in areas with more light pollution are active for almost an hour longer than averageFri, 22 Aug 2025 18:44:03 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/light-pollution-is-making-days-longer-for-birds-extending-the-hours-when-theyll-sing-180987221/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1-04-million-year-old-stone-tools-found-on-indonesian-island-offer-clues-about-some-of-the-regions-earliest-human-relatives-180987129/The toolmakers or their ancestors might have arrived on Sulawesi by clinging to vegetation during a storm, but their identities remain a mysteryThu, 21 Aug 2025 17:14:01 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/1-04-million-year-old-stone-tools-found-on-indonesian-island-offer-clues-about-some-of-the-regions-earliest-human-relatives-180987129/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-visionary-african-american-politician-dreamed-of-creating-an-all-black-state-in-oklahoma-territory-180987093/Edward P. McCabe petitioned Benjamin Harrison for an opportunity to show him that Black people "are men and women capable of self‑government." When the president was unmoved, McCabe and his followers went west anywayTue, 12 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-visionary-african-american-politician-dreamed-of-creating-an-all-black-state-in-oklahoma-territory-180987093/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/los-angeles-1936-bum-blockade-targeted-american-migrants-fleeing-poverty-and-drought-during-the-great-depression-180987022/The two-month patrol stopped supposedly "suspicious" individuals from crossing into California from other states. But its execution was uneven, and the initiative proved controversialThu, 24 Jul 2025 16:05:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/los-angeles-1936-bum-blockade-targeted-american-migrants-fleeing-poverty-and-drought-during-the-great-depression-180987022/