Science

A male and female Canvasback duck face each other in the water, the male looking back with a vibrant red eye.
Bird Eyes Come In an Amazing Array of Colors—but Why Is a Mystery
February 07, 2023 — A recent study analyzing what scientists know about avian eye color finds that there are numerous questions left to solve.
News
A yellow bird in flight, blue sky in the background.
Migrating Male Birds Race Ahead to Keep Up with Spring’s Early Arrival
January 26, 2023 — New research finds females are lagging behind males as they try and keep up with earlier springs driven by climate change.
Climate
A chickadee perched on a pine branch with a blue background.
In the Rockies, Human Activity Paves the Way for a Hybrid Bird Boom
January 12, 2023 — Black-capped and Mountain Chickadees mate more often than previously believed, research shows—especially where people disturb their habitat.
News
A Global Antenna Network Is the Next Frontier of Migration Science
September 21, 2022 — Motus stations across the landscape pick up ‘pings’ from any radio-tagged birds that fly past. The data, open to everyone, are painting a fuller picture of the journeys the creatures make.
From Audubon Magazine
Injury or Illusion? Why a Bird With a Broken Wing May Not Be What It Appears
April 28, 2022 — Some species feign injuries to protect their nests from predators—a more common behavior than previously thought, new research shows.
News
How and Why Did Bird Migration Evolve?
April 19, 2022 — The drive for birds to migrate is at least partially genetic. How those genes developed—and how they function in modern birds—isn't fully known.
Oldest Known Roseate Spoonbill Identified Thanks to Lucky Photograph
April 18, 2022 — After closely examining images taken by photographer Mac Stone, experts were able to identify a spoonbill banded as a chick 18 years ago.
A close-up image shows a Yellow Warbler’s feather in great detail: yellow barbs photographed against a black background, with a brownish shaft running through the center of the feather.
The Bird Genoscape Project Aims to Unlock the Secrets in Birds’ Feathers
April 14, 2022 — Recent breakthroughs have allowed researchers from across the Western Hemisphere to begin building a DNA library filled with insights about where birds migrate and their resilience to mounting pressures.
News
A colorful illustration shows a phenology wheel—a scientific diagram that uses a series of concentric circles to show the alignment of sunlight, plant growth, and insect emergence. In this illustration, birds are flying chaotically around the wheel, showing their struggle to keep up with the advancement of spring.
A Matter of Timing: Can Birds Keep Up With Earlier and Earlier Springs?
April 13, 2022 — The seasons are changing as the planet warms. Some migratory species may break under the strain—but others could surprise us.
News
Two smiling children look at a small yellow bird, a Wilson's Warbler, held carefully by a scientist. One of the children gently touches the bird.
To Experience Migration in a New Way, Check Out a Bird Banding Station
April 13, 2022 — Visiting or volunteering at one of these sites can provide up-close avian encounters and a chance to contribute to valuable data collection.
News