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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 Alaskahelps scientists track seabird signals in a warming North Pacific.
ALASKA
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
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
Why Are These Rare Female Thrushes Disappearing?
April 20, 2026 — Scientists are unraveling the conservation risks to the elusive Bicknell’s Thrush.
An American Robin bends down holding its head close to the grass.
How Do American Robins Find Worms? Behold the Rich Sensory World of Birds
April 09, 2026 — From robins to owls and woodcocks, birds have brilliant ways of locating food underground.
Bird Questions and Facts
Portrait of Beverly LaBelle standing outside in front of a tree.
This Woman May Know Anna's Hummingbirds Better Than Anyone—After Finding More Than 350 of Their Nests Herself
April 01, 2026 — With no formal scientific background, Oregonian Beverly LaBelle has likely discovered more Anna’s nests than any other individual, and all in a once-neglected Portland park. In the process, she created a rich and invaluable dataset.
A woman secures a small radio transmitter on the back of a Chimney Swift clinging to her chest.
Chimney Swift Migration Is Full of Mysteries—but Rehabbed Birds Could Spill the Species' Secrets
March 30, 2026 — After rescuers at the Sharon Audubon Center stepped in to save fallen Chimney Swifts, scientists seized a rare chance to tag an enigmatic species.
Two people dressed in bright yellow cold-weather gear stand at the edge of a rocky shoreline, holding a large net and watching a crowded colony of penguins gathered along the coast.
Follow Scientists on a Daring Mission to the Danger Islands, a Penguin-Breeding Stronghold
March 27, 2026 — Home to the world’s largest known Adélie Penguin population, the Antarctic islands recently gained protected-area status. Now researchers say the seas around the archipelago also need protection to safeguard the breeding colony’s food supply.
Photo Essay
Two featherless baby birds in a nest beg for food with their heads back and mouths open. One of them is bigger and is stretching its neck higher.
Necks Built for Begging Help Cowbird Chicks Outcompete Their Nestmates for Food
March 26, 2026 — Brown-headed Cowbirds have evolved extra-strong neck muscles to steal meals from their host species' chicks, new research finds.
A bird sits on a tree branch looking to the left of the frame
Volunteers are Providing the Data Needed to Manage Florida’s Endemic Bird
March 23, 2026 — Jay Watch is a model of community science that guides habitat management and fosters advocates for a threatened species.
Community Science at Audubon