Migrating Birds Avoid Bad Weather — Which Makes Their Paths Predictable
Scientists have developed a forecast model for predicting mass bird migrations, based in part on weather patterns.
birds
French Theme Park Asks: Crows Can Pick Up Trash, Why Can't You?
A team of six trained birds — rooks, actually — is collecting paper and cigarette stubs at the Puy du Fou park in western France. They drop the trash into a container in exchange for food.
Massive Eradication Effort Ends Rodents' Reign Of Terror On Forbidding Isle
Since humans came to South Georgia Island centuries ago, rats have terrorized rare native birds. But an ambitious project, using some plucky canine aides, has cleared the frigid wilderness.
How Did Birds Lose Their Teeth And Get Their Beaks? Study Offers Clues
Modern birds are dinosaurs without toothy jaws, and with bigger brains. Newly published research fills in some of the missing links in their evolution.
How Birds-To-Be Get Oxygen Inside Eggs
Unlike humans, bird embryos don't have an oxygen pipeline from their mothers. They develop inside eggs in a nest. Skunk Bear's latest video explains why these pre-hatchlings don't suffocate.
Canadian Hotel Forgives Guest 17 Years After Flock Of Seagulls Trashed His Room
When Nick Burchill stayed at the Fairmont Empress hotel in Victoria, Canada, in 2001, he left the window open and a suitcase full of pepperoni in his room. The birds saw an opportunity.
Ancient Turkey Bones In Mexico Reveal A Strange Relationship With Humans
New tests reveal humans have long raised the birds, and not just for food. Ancient Mesoamericans were buried with turkeys, perhaps as snacks, companions or status symbols. There was even a turkey god.
WATCH: Starlings Perform Acrobatic Life-Or-Death Dance With A Hungry Falcon
In a video posted by Birdwatch Ireland, a murmuration of starlings dips and dodges a predator with grace. The scene was just one of many such spectacles filling the skies of southern Ireland lately.
Peregrine Falcons Attack Like Missiles To Grab Prey Midair, Scientists Find
The same guidance principle that governs how missiles intercept moving targets also describes how the falcons, which are known to dive at 200 mph or more, plummet to catch their prey.
Baby Animal Profile: Whetu, The Kiwi Chick
Whetu, an almost 4-month-old brown kiwi at the Smithsonian Conservation Biological Institute, is the first female born to her parents. She enjoys staying up all night, eating worms and burrowing.