Animals

Ellie, an 11-year-old cockatoo, chats with a feathery friend over a video call.

Science

Lonely pet parrots find friendship through video chats, a new study finds

2:12pm April 29, 2023

Parrots are known to be chatty, social animals. But when they're kept as pets, they can get lonely. A group of scientists found that video chatting with other parrots helps them feel less so.

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In this screen grab from video provided by KTVB-TV, sheep move along state Highway 55 as they cross the road near Eagle, Idaho, on Monday.

National

What's white, fluffy and has 10,000 legs?

11:21am April 29, 2023

by The Associated Press

In Idaho, it's not unusual to see ranchers moving a bleating herd of sheep up to higher elevation at this time of year. But the sight of 2,500 trotting across a highway brought a crowd of onlookers.

The author's daughter, Rosy, with two of the family chickens. Among Rosy's discoveries: "When the sun goes down, they all go up into the coop and go to bed. Nobody has to tell them it's bedtime."

Health & Safety

The wonder of chickens (and their egg song) made me a better person — and parent

3:50pm April 28, 2023

by Michaeleen Doucleff

Our correspondent bought some mail-order chicks. They grew into hens. They changed her life for the better. And then one day ... she heard this wondrous sound.

Weekly dose of wonder: The glorious sounds of chickens

4:43pm April 27, 2023

by Michaeleen Doucleff

For our weekly dose of wonder, NPR learns about glorious sounds chicken make at a very important moment in their lives — when they're laying an egg.

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About 6,500 mammal species live on Earth today. Credit from left to right: John Moore/Getty Images; Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP via Getty Images; Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images; Paula Bronstein/Getty Images

Science

Welcome to the mammalverse: Scientists sequence DNA from 240 species around the world

4:43pm April 27, 2023

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Researchers have examined the genomes of 240 mammal species. The project reveals when mammals evolved, how some developed the ability to hibernate, and clues that may help explain humans' brains.

There are fewer than 16,000 white rhinos around the world and are classified as "near threatened." John Hume, owner of the Platinum Rhino Project, is estimated to own somewhere between 13% to 15% of the population.

World News

2,000 'near threatened' white rhinos are up for auction

5:06am April 27, 2023

by Vanessa Romo

On Wednesday, John Hume, owner of the Platinum Rhino Project, launched an auction to sell off the 2,000-strong herd in an online sale that's starting at $10 million.

One of thousands of creatures known as "by-the-wind sailors" that have been washing ashore on Southern California beaches in April.

Environment

Thousands of little blue creatures are washing up on California beaches

6:24pm April 26, 2023

by Manuela López Restrepo

The tiny disc-like critters are known as Velella velella, a name so nice you gotta say it twice.

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National

Invasion of the Velella velella in southern California

4:23pm April 26, 2023

Small blue creatures related to jellyfish are showing up in droves on Southern California beaches. They're known as "Velella velella," or By-the-Wind Sailors, for their sail-like appendages.

The Chicago White Sox have been dealing with a stadium gate-crasher

7:36am April 26, 2023

The nonpaying customer has been stealing food from baseball fans and even biting them. This freeloader is a cat. Security guards finally caught the orange tabby after a home game.

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National

Study finds parrots can find friendship through video chat

4:26pm April 25, 2023

Parrots are known to be chatty, social animals. But when they're kept as pets, they can get lonely. A group of scientists found that video chatting with other parrots helps them feel less so.