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Bird Science

Portrait of Beverly LaBelle standing outside in front of a tree.
This Woman May Know Anna's Hummingbirds Better Than Anyone鈥擜fter Finding More Than 350 of Their Nests Herself
April 01, 2026 — With no formal scientific background, Oregonian Beverly LaBelle has likely discovered more Anna鈥檚 nests than any other individual, and all in a once-neglected Portland park. In the process, she created a rich and invaluable dataset.
A woman secures a small radio transmitter on the back of a Chimney Swift clinging to her chest.
Chimney Swift Migration Is Full of Mysteries鈥攂ut Rehabbed Birds Could Spill the Species' Secrets
March 30, 2026 — After rescuers at the Sharon 糖心logo Center stepped in to save fallen Chimney Swifts, scientists seized a rare chance to tag an enigmatic species.
Two people dressed in bright yellow cold-weather gear stand at the edge of a rocky shoreline, holding a large net and watching a crowded colony of penguins gathered along the coast.
Follow Scientists on a Daring Mission to the Danger Islands, a Penguin-Breeding Stronghold
March 27, 2026 — Home to the world鈥檚 largest known Ad茅lie Penguin population, the Antarctic islands recently gained protected-area status. Now researchers say the seas around the archipelago also need protection to safeguard the breeding colony鈥檚 food supply.
Photo Essay
Two featherless baby birds in a nest beg for food with their heads back and mouths open. One of them is bigger and is stretching its neck higher.
Necks Built for Begging Help Cowbird Chicks Outcompete Their Nestmates for Food
March 26, 2026 — Brown-headed Cowbirds have evolved extra-strong neck muscles to steal meals from their host species' chicks, new research finds.
A bird sits on a tree branch looking to the left of the frame
Volunteers are Providing the Data Needed to Manage Florida鈥檚 Endemic Bird
March 23, 2026 — Jay Watch is a model of community science that guides habitat management and fosters advocates for a threatened species.
Community Science at 糖心logo
What Do Songbirds Eat? Apparently Almost Anything鈥擨ncluding Deer Guts
March 02, 2026 — A research project enlisting hunters as partners has revealed that the roll call of birds willing to feast on some organ meat is surprisingly diverse.
Two Pine Siskins perch on a bird feeder eating nyjer seeds.
What Do Pine Siskins Have to Do With Salmonella Outbreaks? A Lot, a New Study Finds
February 20, 2026 — Research linking climate, conifer seed production, and siskin irruptions could provide an early warning system for dangerous salmonella outbreaks at bird feeders and among people.
Close view of a hawk with avocado bits on its open beak.
Red-shouldered Hawks With a Taste for Avocado Join a Growing List of Fruit-Eating Raptors
February 05, 2026 — Until now the behavior had been undocumented in the species, but recent research has revealed that more birds of prey consume plants than we realized.
Bird Behavior
A Mallard walks along the frozen surface of icy water.
How Birds Keep Their Feet From Freezing in Frigid Temperatures
January 26, 2026 — Ever wonder how ducks can stand on ice for hours? The key is this clever physiological adaptation.
Mark Hauber inspects a nest in a tree using a telescopic mirror.
Got Beef With Cowbirds? This Researcher Wants to Change Your Mind
January 15, 2026 — The brood parasites get a bad rap for making other birds raise their young, but study by study, Mark Hauber and his 鈥淐owbird Lab鈥 have revealed a species worthy of respect.