Purbita Saha

Purbita Saha is a bird nerd, journalist, and insect enthusiast.

Articles by Purbita Saha

The Fight to Save Pine Island

October 10, 2019 — As rising seas imperil its historic structures and famed waterfowl flocks, staff at the Audubon sanctuary are determined to defend the refuge by saving its wetlands.

Birds Are Living Proof That ‘Forever Chemicals’ Pollute Our Water Supplies

July 16, 2019 — Decades of studies show avian eggs and tissues are chock-full of widely used PFAS. Now officials are finally taking action for public health.

The Netflix Show ‘Tuca & Bertie’ Is a Major Hit, Thanks to Its Bird-Inspired Creator

June 26, 2019 — Behind its trippy style and talking animals, there’s a surreal familiarity to Lisa Hanawalt’s universe. We asked the artist and writer about its origins.

Rapidly Declining Songbird Won’t See Federal Protections Anytime Soon

May 24, 2019 — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has delayed its decision on the Saltmarsh Sparrow’s endangered status to 2023. Scientists say that might be too late.

Righting the Record for the World’s Premier Trash Birds

March 29, 2019 — Birder Tim Dee paints an enlightening portrait of the urban gull and its ingenuity in his book ‘Landfill.’

How Many Birds Disappear Between Migration Seasons? We Now Have a Clue.

December 20, 2018 — New research has found that a third of the avian population that winters in the mainland United States might not survive till spring. But why?

7 Hummingbirds That Wear Pants With Flair (Plus One Bonus)

December 14, 2018 — Meet the "puffleg” birds of the Latin American tropics, covered in feathers all the way down.

A Hunter’s Plea Against Poisoned Ammunition

November 02, 2018 — In a New York Times op-ed, Jim Minick outlines the many ways lead threatens public safety and the sanctity of birds.

Drinker of Bird Tears, Moth of Your Nightmares

September 28, 2018 — In the Amazon, a scientist caught an unusual and intimate interaction on film: a moth drinking from an antbird's eyeball.

This Bizarre Bird Is a Master of Choreography

September 05, 2018 — Queen Bey would approve.