birds

20 Black-and-White Facts About Penguins

Some things you might not know about everyone's favorite tuxedoed, flightless bird.

Julius Neubronner/Jennavecia, Wikimedia Commons // Public domain

When Pigeon Photographers Offered a Real-Life Bird’s-Eye View of the World

An ingenious way to take aerial photos.

The Story of Siwash, the Beer-Drinking Duck Who Joined the Marines

The story of how a swashbuckling duck became a sergeant with honors in the United States Marine Corps.

Birdemic: The Great American Parrot Fever Panic of 1930

Was the outbreak a true epidemic, or an example of mass hysteria?

10 Turkey Myths, Debunked

Let's talk turkey—specifically, turkey myths.

What's That Thing That Hangs Off a Turkey’s Face?

Having a long snood almost always means that a hen will want to mate with him and that another tom will back down from a fight.

The Most Dangerous Job: The Murder of America's First Bird Warden

His job was to protect the birds. But nobody was there to protect him.

Research Shows Good-Looking Birds Are Terrible Singers

These sexy boys are too pretty to need any other skills.

A Scientific Spirit: Sir Francis Bacon and the Ghost Chicken of Highgate

Remember this one next time you prep a frozen chicken.

8 Bird Species, Including a Blue Macaw, Are Declared Extinct

The Hawaiian poo-uli has been wiped out.

A Team of Cigarette Butt-Collecting Birds Is Keeping a French Theme Park Litter-Free

The six rooks pecking at litter within the Puy du Fou theme park in Les Epesses, France, aren't unwelcome pests: They're part of the staff.

Crafty Crows Can Build Tools From Memory

Yet another reason to never get on a crow's bad side.

These Sparrows Have Been Singing the Same Songs for 1500 Years

Talk about a one-hit wonder.

Ravens Can Figure Out When Someone Is Spying on Them

Ravens, like primates, can discern the mental states of others.

Why Crows Hold Noisy Funerals for Their Fallen Friends

Crows see death as a learning opportunity.

Photographer's Amazing Snap of an Osprey Is Holding Two Big Surprises

Wow!

15 Incredible Facts About Pigeons

They were beloved by both Charles Darwin and Nikola Tesla.

Why Are There No More Dinosaurs?

Scientists think a terrible event killed most of the dinosaurs off. But some remain—and they fly.

7 Fast Facts About Animal Farting

Farts really can be deadly.

Why Do Canada Geese Fly at Night?

There are a couple of reasons, all of them very smart.

Rachael Herman, Louisiana State University, © Stony Brook University

Poop Visible From Space Helped Scientists Find a Remote 'Supercolony' of Penguins

Scientists just discovered 1.5 million penguins living on a chain of remote Antarctic islands, thanks to satellite images of their telltale poop.

Why Do Birds Fly?

Bird bodies are made to fly. They have light bones, strong legs, and specially shaped wings. Flying helps birds get away from animals that want to eat them.

King Penguin Populations Could Shrink By 70 Percent in 80 Years, Thanks to Climate Change

A new study shows the species is in serious trouble.

How Do Hummingbirds Sleep?

A little shut-eye comes with some risk.