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About Birds

A small group gather in a forest all looking up. Some are looking through binoculars.
How Florence Merriam Bailey Helped Shape Modern Birding—and Remains an Inspiration 140 Years Later
June 02, 2026 — As a student at Smith College, Bailey founded one of the first Audubon societies in 1886. A recent graduate who led the school’s modern-day Audubon on Campus chapter explores Bailey's pathbreaking work.
Essays
Shorebird chick in vegetation
Wanted: Shorebird Chicks (Alive)
May 22, 2026 — Some chicks make it, many don’t. What are the hallmarks of a good breeding area? Shorebird parents and researchers both want to know.
ALASKA Bird Science
A bright red male Scarlet Tanager takes off from a thin branch.
From Best Dressed to Class Clown, These 15 Birds Own Their Spring Migrant Superlatives
May 21, 2026 — Yep, we're doing this. And you'll probably have opinions.
Bird Migration
Shorebird on tundra
There’s No Bog Like Home
May 15, 2026 — Shorebirds are back in Alaska for the breeding season. How much depends on Cook Inlet’s bogs?
ALASKA Bird Science
Tower surrounded by birds
Rebuilding a Tower That Seabirds—and Science—Depend On
May 01, 2026 — From storm damage to critical repairs, a research tower on Middleton Island in the Gulf of Alaska helps scientists track seabird signals in a warming North Pacific.
ALASKA Bird Science
A flock of geese flying overhead in a V-shaped formation.
Why Do Birds Fly in a V Formation? Breaking Down a Brilliant Migration Hack
May 01, 2026 — From geese and pelicans to cranes and cormorants, many birds use a V-shaped flock to master the aerodynamics of long-distance flight. Here is the science behind this clever energy-saving strategy.
Bird Migration
Welcome Spring Migrants to Dogwood Canyon.
April 29, 2026 — Spring has arrived in North Texas, and with it comes one of the most exciting seasons.
TEXAS Dogwood Canyon
Three Scarlet Macaws perch in a leafy tree full of green fruits.
Do Birds in the Tropics Have a Breeding Season—or Do They Just Mate All of the Time?
April 28, 2026 — You might think that the neotropics are one big mating party, but even in places that stay green and vibrant year-round, raising chicks comes with trade-offs.
Bird Nests and Breeding