BIRDS

A 911 Call About a Raccoon Invasion Is a Good Reminder Never to Feed Wild Animals

Where there is one hungry raccoon, there are likely dozens, as one unfortunate woman found out.

A black-throated green warbler perches on a funerary statue at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

From Snakeroot to Salamanders, Life Thrives in Cemeteries

Three historic cemeteries, designed as refuges of the dead, are bringing their landscapes back to life for native plants and animals.

9 Facts About Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”

“Once upon a midnight dreary” begins “The Raven,” setting the mood for one of the most recognizable poems written in English.

Why 7 Animals Became Associated With Halloween

Black cats, bats, and spiders commonly appear in people’s Halloween decorations. Here’s why.

Dodos were more agile than most people think.

Dodos May Have Been Fast and Strong, Contradicting Stereotypes

What you think you know about the dodo bird is probably wrong.

A Scottish Seaside Food Shack Is Offering 'Seagull Insurance'

The aggressive gulls are brazen in swooping in for a bite of grilled cheese.

Fortunately, it’s illegal to eat saw-whet owls.

8 Birds That People Used to Eat (but Would Be a Federal Crime to Eat Now)

In past centuries, dinner tables were crowded with sparrows, robins, and even owls. Here are a few birds that are now protected from American appetites.

'You've got three days to get me those walnuts, Marty. I know you know what that means.'

Counting Crows: These Smart Birds Can Count Out Loud, According to Science

Crows can not only understand numerical totals, they can express them vocally.

17 Wild Animal Superlatives

The biggest, fastest, strongest animals in the world.

Why Are Birds Attacking My Windows?

Nothing says “springtime” like the maddening, irregular percussion of a bird’s beak rapping repeatedly against your window.

What Are the National Animals of the United States?

The bison and bald eagle have been chosen to represent the U.S. Here's why.

Rin Tin Tin and trainer Lee Duncan prepare to go before cameras in 1935.

14 of the Biggest Animal Stars in Hollywood History

Rin Tin Tin was found on a World War I battlefield in France before making his way to Hollywood, while poor Arnold the Pig was rumored to have been eaten after ‘Green Acres’ was canceled.

Crows vs. Ravens: 7 Ways To Tell the Corvid Cousins Apart

If you can’t tell crows and ravens apart, you may think you’re uncovering a minor conspiracy when you’re actually witnessing a murder.

Why Do Birds Fly South for the Winter?

Genetics, seasonal changes, and Earth's magnetic field all play a role.

Why Do Some Birds Sing, While Others Caw?

Birds are a noisy bunch, and there's a lot of variation when it comes to avian vocalizations.

A northern hawk owl snoozes in a tree cavity.

How Do Birds Sleep?

At some point, whether during the day or at night, all birds need to sleep. How do they do it?

A beautiful barn owl sneaks up on its prey.

How Do Owls Fly So Silently?

Owl feathers’ special structures help the wise birds sneak up on their meals.

Parrots are among the longest-living birds.

How Long Do Birds Live?

A single number for birds’ lifespans is difficult to pin down, but the ability to fly is one of the keys to their longevity.

Are Owls Actually All That Wise?

Though they’re excellent hunters, it turns out owls probably aren’t any smarter than a lot of other birds.

A quartet of northern pintail ducks in flight.

10 Delightful Facts About Ducks

Discover fascinating facts about ducks, from their adaptation to cold temperatures to their rude nesting habits.

Shellshocked? Nah. Shell-curious? Oh absolutely.

How Do Baby Birds Breathe Inside Their Eggs?

Discover the fascinating ways eggs provide everything a baby bird needs, including oxygen through a sophisticated system of membranes and air pockets.

Why Do Birds Sing at Dawn?

Uncover the secrets of the dawn chorus and why birds choose to sing in the early hours.

You can tell this is a Cooper’s hawk by its finger-like wing feathers and menacing red eyes.

Hawks vs. Falcons: What’s The Difference?

Uncover the key features that set hawks and falcons apart, including their flight patterns, eye color, size, and hunting techniques.

Why go by the jellyfish’s English name when you could go with its more delightful French moniker instead?

15 Delightfully Descriptive French Animal Names

En français, the name for ‘jellyfish’ comes from a famous figure in Greek mythology—can you guess which one?