BIRDS

10 Facts About Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers, North America’s Most Famous (Probably) Extinct Bird

Here’s your introduction to this legendary, (maybe?) extinct avian—and a look-alike species that might be the source of all the rumors.

What’s the Purpose of a Turkey’s Wattle?

The loose flesh that hangs from a turkey’s neck isn’t the most attractive part of the bird—to humans, at least.

Do Scarecrows Actually Work?

Scare crows may deter crows and blackbirds, but you'll have to make some modifications for them to really work.

9 Animals That Have Invaded Florida

Pythons, peacocks, and monkeys have all made the Sunshine State their home.

Turtle mating makes for some funny sound effects.

10 Surprising Facts About Animal Sex

From turtle mating to what really turns big cats on, animal sex can be a lot weirder (and funnier) than you probably expected.

Jacques Barraband, ‘Carolina Parakeet’ (1801)

The Curious Extinction of the Carolina Parakeet: An Avian Cold Case

The North American parrots vanished mysteriously in the early 20th century. Now scientists are closer to solving their disappearance.

Why You Shouldn’t Put Out Fake Spider Webs This Halloween

Though fall is the time for spooky décor, those fake spider webs can turn into a truly scary situation for birds, bees, and other wildlife.

Sandhill cranes over Nebraska's Platte River.

Which Birds Are Migrating Through Your Area? This Interactive Tool Tells You

BirdCast tells you how many birds are flying overhead on a given night, which species are coming and going, and more.

Bird's Impressive Courtship Dance Moves Fail to Impress Partner

Female Bird Unimpressed by Male’s Overzealous Tap Dance

A safari group in South Africa witnessed one bird’s epic failure to woo a female.

9 Bizarre and Beautiful Fancy Pigeons

For at least 500 years—and maybe more—pigeon fanciers have bred wonderfully bizarre-looking pigeons.

12 Fascinating Facts About Crows

Crows are among the brainiest birds, able to recognize faces and hold grudges. Read on for more about these crafty corvids.

MA: New Bedford residents say seagull sculpture is 'too sexy'

A Busty Seagull Statue Is Ruffling Feathers in Massachusetts

The buxom bird is considered too lewd for public display.

10 Terrifyingly Huge Birds You Should Know

The biggest birds on Earth stand taller than the average human and have the attitude to match. Here are 10 intimidating-looking species from around the world.

These Are America's 20 Best Cities for Birdwatching

You don't have to leave the city to have a successful birdwatching experience.

Johnny Cash had a violent encounter with a dangerous bird.

Angry Bird: When Waldo the Ostrich Tried to Kill Johnny Cash

An ornery bird once tried to disembowel the Man in Black.

There's a good reason you don't see baby pigeons.

Where Are All the Baby Pigeons?

To city dwellers, it might seem that pigeons multiply magically: All the birds swooping down at us, or scurrying out of the way when we walk, are fully grown. How come we never see baby pigeons anywhere?

Ruddy ducks in the Prairie Pothole Aviary.

Smithsonian National Zoo’s New Bird House Highlights Migratory Birds’ Incredible Journeys

The zoo presents familiar birds in a fresh, unified way—and drives home the message that people can take simple steps to protect birds’ future.

Snow geese, sandhill cranes, and ducks make New Mexico's Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge their fall and winter home.

9 Astounding Facts About Bird Migration

Long-distance bird migration is one of the natural world’s most inspiring phenomena—and how we learned about it is just as fascinating.

A common raven looking pretty pleased with itself.

15 Amazing Facts About 15 Birds

Here's a flock of facts about everything avian, from brilliantly colored hummingbirds to farting thrushes.

10 Brilliant Facts About Peacocks

With their massive tails and iridescent colors, peacocks have long fascinated their human observers—and we’re still learning their secrets.

15 Facts About Owls

Owls are enigmatic birds, by turns mysterious, lovable, or spooky, depending on whom you ask. Here are some key facts about these wise guys.

This Valentine’s Day, You Can Watch a Raptor Eat a Rat Named After Your Ex

’Tis the season to celebrate love—and also see your ex symbolically become hawk food.

Turkeys don’t really rise from the ashes like phoenixes do.

The Tragic Tale of Charles Dickens’s Last Christmas Turkey

Charles Dickens appreciated a prize turkey as much as Ebenezer Scrooge did. And on Christmas Eve 1869, his was missing.

A Brief History of Creepy Victorian Christmas Cards

’Tis the season for Victorian Christmas cards featuring dead robins and murdered frogs.

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