Biologists Rejoice as Extremely Rare Guam Kingfishers Lay Their First Wild Eggs in Nearly 40 Years
The brightly colored birds are extinct in the wild, having disappeared from their native Guam in 1988 due to the introduction of the invasive brown tree snake. But now, they’re starting to make a comeback on Palmyra Atoll
Crows May Grasp Basic Geometry: Study Finds the Brainy Birds Can Tell the Difference Between Shapes
Scientists tested crows on their ability to recognize “geometric regularity,” a skill previously assumed to be unique to humans
A Revealing Look Into the Surprisingly Tricky Sex Lives of Birds
Even among the most durable migratory bird pairings, sexual exclusivity is rarely part of their relationship
Meet the Chicago Cubs’ Newest Feathered Fan: a Canada Goose That Built Her Nest in Their Baseball Stadium
After the ballpark sent a crew of “geesekeepers” to protect her over the weekend, the bird appears to have moved on. But she earned a place in the hearts of Cubs fans—and in the team’s long history of animal-related lore
Record-High 736,000 Sandhill Cranes Flock to Nebraska During Spring Migration Peak—With No Signs of Bird Flu, Despite Concerns
After more than 1,500 of the lanky birds died in Indiana, wildlife biologists in Nebraska were on high alert for the virus—but so far, the visiting birds seem happy and healthy
Murphy, the Beloved Bald Eagle ‘Foster Dad’ Who Went Viral for Incubating a Rock, Has Died Following Storms in Missouri
The 33-year-old raptor had parented two orphaned chicks since gaining international attention for sitting on a rock in 2023
Traffic Noise May Be Making These Bright Yellow Birds More Aggressive in the Galápagos Islands, Study Suggests
Male Galápagos yellow warblers appear to be shifting their behavior and adjusting their calls in response to the din of passing vehicles
More Than 1,500 Sandhill Cranes Killed by Bird Flu in Indiana, Raising Concerns Among Biologists
The tall, slender grey birds are making their annual spring migration to northern breeding grounds. Experts say the virus could become a larger problem if it gets passed to endangered whooping cranes
Watch California’s Internet-Famous Bald Eagles Tend to Three New Eggs, Expected to Hatch Soon
Last year, the mated pair Jackie and Shadow also incubated three eggs—but none of them hatched. This year’s “pipping period,” when chicks may break out of their shells, begins in early March
Researchers Use A.I. to Find an Elusive and ‘Odd’ Australian Bird. It Hadn’t Been Recorded in the Area Since 1989
Once abundant throughout southeastern Australia, the critically endangered plains-wanderer is now on the brink of extinction
Birds-of-Paradise Glow to Attract Mates, Adding a Flashy Element to Their Impressive Courtship Displays
Scientists find that 82 percent of birds-of-paradise species show biofluorescence, often on their feathers, throat or inner mouth
Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries
See 15 Stunning Photos of Superb Owls to Kick Off This Year’s Super Bowl Weekend
These snapshots of the majestic bird in flight and in trees will leave your soul soaring
How a Hawaiian High School Student Inspired Nine New State Animals
Researchers hope the designation of several species of land snails, or kāhuli, will lead to conservation
Fossilized Poop Reveals How Extinct, Flightless Birds Helped Spread New Zealand’s Colorful Fungi
The upland moa was likely drawn to the fungi because of their resemblance to berries, scientists say, allowing the creature to fill a role typically played by mammals
Meet the Tiny, Adorable Owls That Have Mastered the Art of Hiding
One of the smallest owls in North America, the northern saw-whet lives among us and is rarely seen—but one volunteer science project aims to find them and uncover their secrets year after year
Scientists Release Five Hawaiian Crows on Maui, Giving the Imperiled Birds a Second Chance—on a New Island
Only about 110 individuals of the species, called ʻalalā, are left in the world, making them the most endangered crows on Earth
Why Are Urban Turkeys Thriving?
As many wild populations decline, some city dwellers flourish—and may become a source for reintroductions to rural areas
The Hero Who Convinced His Fellow Ornithologists of the Obvious: Stop Shooting Rare Birds and Watch Them Instead
Too late to save the ivory-billed woodpecker, Arthur Allen changed science forever with his seemingly simple idea
How the Arrival of an Endangered Bird Indicates What’s Possible for the L.A. River
Could the waterway that the city was built around make a comeback?
A Simple Chemical Shift Explains Why Parrots Are So Colorful, Study Suggests
Unlike other birds, which get pigments from their diets, parrots produce their own—but scientists never fully understood the underlying mechanisms, until now
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