January 14, 2021 — Purple Martins exposed to bright nighttime light migrated eight days early—which could lead to starvation at their breeding grounds.
January 6, 2021 — New research reveals a previously uncounted benefit of the Clean Air Act—at a time when the Trump administration is weakening its protections.
December 17, 2020 — Human development has caused the bird's gene pool to shrink. An ambitious experiment to relocate scrub-jay families could bring reprieve, while also pointing the way to preserving other threatened species.
December 16, 2020 — For 25 years researchers struggled to find the culprit behind a mysterious illness plaguing eagles around the Wisconsin River. Finally, a clue emerges.
October 5, 2020 — From deep within the Smithsonian, the world’s first forensic ornithologist cracked cases, busted criminals, and changed the course of aviation—making the skies safer for us all.
October 1, 2020 — In 1918, an avian flu virus became a devastating human contagion. Scientist studying shorebirds and waterfowl are hoping they can foresee such events and possibly even prevent them.
September 29, 2020 — Many birds, such as owls and woodpeckers, thrive in forest habitats created after fire. But the hotter, bigger, more destructive megafires out West might be too much even for them.