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Bird Science

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.
Bird Behavior
Listen to the Loudest Bird Ever Recorded
October 21, 2019 — For female White Bellbirds, hearing a suitor's mating call is like putting her head in the speaker at a rock concert, a new study shows.
Bird Songs and Calls
What's Up With the Weird Mouths of These Finch Chicks?
January 08, 2019 — Coming in many shapes, colors, and sizes, strange mouth markings might aid in chick survival.
Bird Questions and Facts
How Well Do We Really Know Cardinals?
December 20, 2018 — New research provides support for splitting the Northern Cardinal into multiple species.
7 Hummingbirds That Wear Pants With Flair (Plus One Bonus)
December 14, 2018 — Meet the "puffleg” birds of the Latin American tropics, covered in feathers all the way down.
Drinker of Bird Tears, Moth of Your Nightmares
September 28, 2018 — In the Amazon, a scientist caught an unusual and intimate interaction on film: a moth drinking from an antbird's eyeball.
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.
Bird Behavior
The Origins of Hummingbirds Are Still a Major Mystery
July 12, 2018 — There is a dazzling diversity of the tiny birds in the Americas, but recent discoveries trace their evolution back to Europe—where today there are no nectar-feeding species.
Research Reveals Exactly Why Peregrine Falcons Are so Deadly
April 13, 2018 — Cameras and simulations are finally enabling scientists to study the nuances of the raptors' extreme hunting techniques.
Misunderstanding Between Caterpillar and Hummingbird Leads to High-Stakes Face Off
March 23, 2018 — When a cleverly disguised caterpillar spooked a nesting Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, a dramatic exchange ensued.