Mental Floss

BIRDS

Free-range chickens.

Bird flu is one of the reasons egg prices have skyrocketed. Here’s what else you should know about the current outbreak of the H5N1 virus among U.S. poultry and dairy cows.

Nick Keppler
















Alfred Hitchcock warned you!

Nothing says “springtime” like the maddening, irregular percussion of a bird’s beak rapping repeatedly against your window.

Kate Horowitz






A northern hawk owl snoozes in a tree cavity.

At some point, whether during the day or at night, all birds need to sleep. How do they do it?

Annabel Bourne


Parrots are among the longest-living birds.

A single number for birds’ lifespans is difficult to pin down, but the ability to fly is one of the keys to their longevity.

Annabel Bourne
A quartet of northern pintail ducks in flight.

Discover fascinating facts about ducks, from their adaptation to cold temperatures to their rude nesting habits.

Yelena Melnichenko