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About Birds

A Nēnē goose sits in a gravel area of a parking lot at night with buildings and colorful lights in the background.
The Nēnē Survived Near-Extinction. Can It Survive Modern Hawaiʻi?
October 01, 2026 — As the world’s rarest goose adapts to golf courses and strip malls, an unexpected collision with feral cat colonies and speeding traffic threatens to derail decades of recovery.
Conservation News
A crowd gathers in a parking lot taking pictures of a huge flock of Purple Martins flying overhead.
Across the South, Purple Martin Parties Are the Hottest Ticket in Town
September 25, 2026 — Every summer, hundreds of thousands of roosting swallows draw eager crowds to urban parking lots for an unforgettable spectacle.
Bird Migration
So Many Birds, So Little Time (or Bands)
September 23, 2026 — A morning of bird banding reveals the stories these tiny travelers carry and the questions they leave behind.
GREAT PLAINS Bird Migration
Flocks of Purple Martins fly over an urban scene at dusk.
Nearly Half of U.S. Bird Migration Hotspots Are in Cities—Here's Why That Matters
September 16, 2026 — A surprising number of migrating birds are choosing to stop in metropolitan areas, researchers found, raising the stakes for urban conservation efforts.
Bird Migration
A Black-and-white Warbler perched in a bright green pine tree.
The Black-and-White Birds of North America
September 14, 2026 — Explore black-and-white birds of North America. Get field marks, ID tips, and links to full species profiles for every bird you might encounter.
Birding 101
A Eurasian Blackbird perched on a mossy branch in a forest, singing.
Which Birdsong Is the Most Beautiful? Here's What Scientists Found
September 09, 2026 — In a new study of European bird species, participants picked the Eurasian Blackbird’s serenade as the most pleasing thanks to acoustic qualities that seem to have universal appeal.
Bird Songs and Calls
A female Wilson's Warbler perched on a leafy branch holding a green caterpillar in her beak.
Many Female Songbirds Have Shorter Lifespans Than Males, Scientists Find
September 02, 2026 — A massive study uncovered significant survival differences between the two sexes of North America's perching birds.
Bird Science
A green and red Hummingbird Clearwing moth hovers at a white flower.
Double Take: Why Hummingbird Moths Look and Act Just Like Hummingbirds
August 20, 2026 — If you've confused these two lookalikes before, you're not alone. Here's what the moths have in common with hummers, how they differ, and where to see them.
Bird Questions and Facts
Two shorebird chicks in hand
Gambling With Gulls, Beleaguered Bogs, and Other Stories
August 17, 2026 — Shorebird news from Cook Inlet’s 2026 breeding season.
ALASKA Bird Science