Peter Friederici

Frequent Audubon contributor Peter Friederici teaches journalism at Northern Arizona University.

Articles by Peter Friederici

Star Trek: How Birds Use Electromagnetic Cues to Travel

March 01, 2015 — The quest to understand how birds manage nocturnal navigation has consumed scientists for decades. The effects of “electrosmog” may now point to an answer.

Southwestern Farmers Share Their Water with Endangered Birds

December 02, 2013 — In the West, as the saying goes, whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting. So why on earth did New Mexicans--during a severe drought, no less--decide to give precious drops to southwestern willow flycatchers?

Housing Development Could Threaten Arizona’s San Pedro River

July 12, 2012 — Development could pull water from a critical migratory bird stopover site.

Is DDT Here to Stay?

May 14, 2012 — Thanks to Rachel Carson’s crusade, DDT was banned and birds are rebounding. If only it were that simple. 

The Science of Feathers

November 20, 2011 — A bird's plumage is both mystifying and magnificent, and serves a plethora of purposes, from protecting it from the cold to attracting a mate. 

How a Flock of Birds Can Fly and Move Together

November 16, 2011 — Winging at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, an entire flock of birds can make hairpin turns in an instant. How do they do it? A group of investigators is closer than ever to finding out.

Pecking Order

September 09, 2011 — Bird beaks are more than nature's ingenious designs. They're wonders of evolution, barometers of how species react to—and sometimes even instigate—changes in their environment.