John R. Platt

John R. Platt covers wildlife and endangered species for Scientific American, TakePart, Vice, and other publications. He lives in Portland, Oregon, which of course means he has backyard chickens.

Articles by John R. Platt

The Saga of 16-11, a Star-Crossed Whooping Crane Now in Mating Rehab
November 10, 2016 — This fall, an endangered Whooping Crane that produced a hybrid chick with a Sandhill Crane had to be removed from the wild. This is his story.
The Hawaiian Crow Is Ready to Make Its Big Comeback
October 05, 2016 — Extinct in its natural habitat since 2002, the tool-using Hawaiian Crow will return to the wild this November with lots of support.
In Argentina, New Nesting Research Shows How Loggers Could Save Countless Birds
September 06, 2016 — Old woodpecker holes typically serve as homes for multiple other species, but for Argentina’s cavity dwellers, it’s a little more complicated.
Human Noise Robs Owls of Their Ability to Hunt
June 06, 2016 — Sounds from natural-gas extraction sites can reduce birds’ ability to find and capture prey.
The Bison Joins the Bald Eagle as a Fellow Symbol of America
May 10, 2016 — The eagle stays put as our national animal, but now we have a national mammal as well.
Endangered Hawaiian Bird Immortalized In Space
April 20, 2016 — Thanks to a science teacher in India, an asteroid has been named after the critically endangered Akikiki.
Scientists Solve A Shag-adelic Bird Mystery
March 25, 2016 — New Zealanders now get two endangered shags for the price of one.
How Flashing Lights on Cell Towers Can Save Birds’ Lives
February 18, 2016 — As many as 7 million birds in the U.S. die every year when they strike communication towers, but not for much longer.