Audubon

Asher Elbein

Reporter, Audubon Magazine

Articles by Asher Elbein

The Bird World Is Grappling With Its Own Confederate Relic: McCown's Longspur
Science

The Bird World Is Grappling With Its Own Confederate Relic: McCown's Longspur

July 2, 2020 — A grassland species named for an ornithologist who later became a Confederate general, the longspur has sparked a fiery debate over which honorific bird names should be reconsidered. Some say all of them.
"What's the Deal With Birds?" a New Paper Asks—While Making a Point
Science

"What's the Deal With Birds?" a New Paper Asks—While Making a Point

April 22, 2020 — In the world of academia, predatory journals with almost no vetting process abound. One researcher had enough.
Canceled Birding Festivals Deal Host Towns a Major Economic Blow
COVID-19

Canceled Birding Festivals Deal Host Towns a Major Economic Blow

April 1, 2020 — As event organizers are forced to make tough decisions over coronavirus concerns, local businesses and nonprofits brace for the fallout.
What’s the Difference Between a ‘Borb’ and a ‘Floof’?
Culture

What’s the Difference Between a ‘Borb’ and a ‘Floof’?

March 10, 2020 — Now that we know what constitutes a birb, it's time to break down the internet's other two nicknames for birds.
When Is a Bird a ‘Birb’? An Extremely Important Guide
Culture

When Is a Bird a ‘Birb’? An Extremely Important Guide

December 12, 2019 — The internet meme has been around for seven years now, so it's high time we establish some ground rules.
Proposed Pipeline Would Cut Through Golden-cheeked Warbler Habitat
News

Proposed Pipeline Would Cut Through Golden-cheeked Warbler Habitat

June 28, 2019 — The Permian Highway gas project plans to use eminent domain to seize and raze swaths of Texas Hill Country—home to the endangered songbird.
Did Neanderthals Catch and Kill Golden Eagles for Their Feathers and Talons?
Culture

Did Neanderthals Catch and Kill Golden Eagles for Their Feathers and Talons?

June 21, 2019 — New evidence suggests that the ancient hominids held raptors in high esteem—and might have even passed that practice to us.
Is the Mothman of West Virginia an Owl?
Culture

Is the Mothman of West Virginia an Owl?

October 26, 2018 — More than 50 years after the first sighting, the best explanation for the infamous cryptid might be a nocturnal bird of prey. Audubon investigates.
This Fossil Is Probably the First to Preserve Ancient Bird Lungs
Science

This Fossil Is Probably the First to Preserve Ancient Bird Lungs

October 25, 2018 — If so, the similarity of the 120-million-year-old organs to those in modern birds sheds new light on avian evolution.