Science

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 23, 2020 — Through science and art, Silas Fischer explores the connection between Gray Vireos and the researcher's own queerness.

October 15, 2020 — In this month's Ask Kenn!, bird expert Kenn Kaufman provides a detailed look at how geography shapes the routes of migratory birds.

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 30, 2020 — Scientists who rely on the mail to gather data and run bird studies worry about what could be lost without reliable delivery.

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.