Science

Avian Brood Parasites Are About to Have Their Adaptability Tested
June 28, 2021 — The future of parasitic birds, which lay their eggs in other nests, is totally dependent on their hosts' ability to adjust to climate change.
See the Emergence and Feast of Brood X Cicadas in All Their Glory
June 21, 2021 — Photographer Chris Linder captured Brood X cicadas as they tunneled out of the earth, burst from their shells, and were devoured by birds.
What Is a Songbird, Exactly?
June 17, 2021 — Turns out it’s about more than just carrying a tune.
Do Birds Hide From Predators Even From Inside an Egg?
June 10, 2021 — Before hatching, shorebird embryos sometimes vocalize to their parents. New research shows they can also quiet down when danger is near.
Audubon Report Shows That Important Bird Habitats are Key Natural Solutions to Climate Change
June 03, 2021 — Important ecosystems for birds can also store tens of millions of tons of carbon naturally if maintained and restored.
A molting Wood Warbler is posed with its wing outstretched during bird banding on a cocoa farm in Cameroon. Crinan Jarrett
Scientists Make a Sweet Discovery on a West African Cocoa Farm
May 05, 2021 — Molting Wood Warblers studied on farmland in Cameroon suggest cocoa operations can provide great bird habitat if nearby trees are left standing.
One current project aims to use new technology to create domestic chickens with the gonads of Greater Prairie-Chickens, giving the barnyard birds the ability to produce prairie-chicken eggs. Ravi Hirekatur/Audubon Photography Awards
The Surprising Reason Scientists Haven't Been Able to Clone a Bird Yet
April 28, 2021 — Thanks to their eggs, avians are tremendously difficult to clone. But new technologies may provide a workaround for saving at-risk species.
Periodical cicadas from Brood X during their last emergence in 2004. Michael Ventura/Alamy
Birds May Hold Clues to the 'Bizarre' Life Cycle of Brood X Cicadas
April 19, 2021 — Billions of cicadas will emerge in the eastern United States this spring, presenting a once-in-a-17-year opportunity for scientists to understand how they shape populations of birds and other species.
Ducks in the Southern U.S. Have Shifted Northward Due to Temperature Changes Attributed to Climate Change
March 30, 2021 — A new study shows patterns uncovered by community scientists over 50 years have repercussions for both wildlife and people
What a Songbird Lost at Sea Taught Me About Survival
March 24, 2021 — Aboard a mission to explore the alien life of the deep ocean, a chance encounter with a migratory bird offered a point of connection—one that has felt poignant this past year.