Topics Explore Birds

About Birds

Three bird-of-paradise specimens appearing to glow green under UV light on a black background.
Birds-of-Paradise Feathers Are More Than Flashy—They Glow
March 07, 2025 — Researchers recently discovered that dozens of species in the flamboyant family are biofluorescent, emitting a gleaming light that could enhance their mating displays.
Bird Science
A chickadee perches on a sunflower extracting a seed with its beak.
How Plant Seeds Reshaped the Lives—and Evolution—of Birds
March 04, 2025 — Plants didn't always use seeds to reproduce, but once they did, early avians were more than happy to indulge in the nutrient-rich morsels, kicking off a symbiotic relationship that persists today.
Books
A linocut depicting a lapwing, a map, an old book, and some tools on a wooden surface.
When People Dined On Robins and Other Avian Oddities From America's Past
February 27, 2025 — In his richly researched newsletter, amateur historian Robert Francis takes deep dives into the country's complicated and ever-changing relationship with birds.
Birds and History
A large flock of gulls stand in a parking lot.
Why Do Gulls Like Hanging Out in Parking Lots?
February 24, 2025 — A question we've all wondered. An answer that might surprise you.
Bird Questions and Facts
Shorebirds feeding on shore
Sandpipers’ Last Supper
February 18, 2025 — The story of a tiny shorebird’s epic journey, powered by an invisible fuel in the mud.
ALASKA Bird Behavior
A hummingbird perched on a snowy, mossy branch flutters its wings.
Where Do Hummingbirds Go in the Winter? Do They Migrate?
January 17, 2025 — Some species migrate to far-off places while others keep it local. Here's a rundown of who goes where.
Bird Questions and Facts
A Reverence for Dead Wood
January 06, 2025 — Reimagining a "messy" forest
VERMONT Bird Science
Long Before Pantone, This Bird-Based System for Describing Color Was a Hit
December 17, 2024 — In the early 20th century, ornithologist Robert Ridgway published a massive dictionary to categorize birds’ hues, from Peacock Blue to Duck Green. His work still resonates for artists and designers today.
Arts & Culture
Two female blackbirds in flight next to a male perched on a branch.
10 Fun Facts About the Red-winged Blackbird
December 10, 2024 — One you’ll want to remember: They really, really like their personal space.
Bird Questions and Facts