Riis Williams

Reporter, Audubon magazine
About

Riis Williams is a New York City-based science writer who specializes in climate, health, and wildlife stories. She is a former editorial intern at Audubon magazine.

Articles by Riis Williams

A person's hands sort through small bones and bits of fur with a toothpick on a white surface.
From Regurgitation to Education: How One Man Built a Thriving Business Collecting Wild Owl Pellets
December 02, 2025 — Dissecting the expelled balls of bones and other indigestible bits is a popular STEM activity for kids. But where do all those pellets come from, and who is behind this peculiar industry?
Bird Science
A bird's eye view of a subdivision abutting a forest.
North Carolina’s Population Boom Inspires Advocates to Protect Urban Forests
September 19, 2025 — As new residents flock to the state, Audubon and allies launch an effort to help communities save fast-disappearing city trees from development.
Conservation News
A Common Myna stands on a railing with its beak open, vocalizing.
Sleepy Birds Are Lousy Singers, Study Finds
August 21, 2025 — Just like people, songbirds are groggy and quiet after a rough night’s sleep—a sign that urban noise and light may leave them less fit for reproduction and survival.
Bird Science
A light gray seabird hovers on a wave with its beak open at the surface.
How Do Seabirds Drink Salt Water?
August 07, 2025 — Albatrosses, petrels, and other ocean-dwellers can stay hydrated without fresh water. The key? Little glands above their eyes.
Bird Questions and Facts
A gull walking on pavement holding a piece of green baked good in its beak.
This Researcher Wants Your Photos of ‘Gulls Eating Stuff’
July 21, 2025 — A community science project examines how gull diets are shifting amid population declines.
Bird Science
Two Bald Eagles perch on driftwood facing each other.
10 Fun Facts About the Bald Eagle
July 02, 2025 — Not every bird carries the distinction of being a Guinness World Record-Holder.
Bird Questions and Facts