Bird Behavior

A Northern Harrier flies in the air.
The Harrier and the Owl
October 26, 2020 — A poetic observation of interesting raptor behavior near Audubon's Gillmor Sanctuary.
Rufous Hummingbird.
The Sugar Dome
May 07, 2020 — Watch Rufous and Broad-tailed hummingbirds face off for dominance!
Sandhill Crane.
Sandhill Crane Migration & Courtship
April 15, 2020 — Spring is in the air, and that means two things for Sandhill Cranes...
Hot, Bothered, and Parasite-free: Why Birds Sun Themselves
February 27, 2020 — Avian sunbathing has mystified ornithologists for decades, but some recent research is confirming an old suspicion that the behavior helps fend off lice.
10 Outrageous Ways Birds Dance to Impress Their Mates
February 14, 2019 — Nature has way better moves than the Funky Chicken.
Watch a Black Heron Fool Fish by Turning Into an Umbrella
January 17, 2019 — The behavior, called canopy feeding, is an especially effective way to hunt.
Shrikes Have an Absolutely Brutal Way of Killing Large Prey
September 06, 2018 — Famous for impaling their victims, these songbirds first use a special maneuver to break the necks of small rodents.
Scientists Pinpoint the Secret Password That Unlocks Cowbirds' Self-Identity
May 16, 2017 — The mystery of how Brown-headed Cowbirds—which are raised by members of other species—learn to see themselves as cowbirds has finally been solved. The answer lies deep in the brain.
What the Heck Is a Lek? The Quirkiest Mating Party on Earth.
March 15, 2017 — Consider this your guide to the mating ritual that shapes the lives of a hundred dancing, singing bird species.
So, Apparently Some Woodpeckers Like to Eat the Brains of Baby Birds
January 05, 2017 — Yes, you read that correctly. And there's video evidence.