Science

Feather-Eating Bacteria Found in Birds Across North America
July 14, 2016 — Scientists finally know how widespread the microbe is—but the news isn’t all terrible.
The Rise of the Patriarchy Is Bad News for Birds (Duh)
July 13, 2016 — Males are dominating smaller groups of migratory birds—a phenomenon that could accelerate local extinctions.
Here Are the Biggest Changes to the AOU Checklist of North American Birds
July 11, 2016 — Hold onto your scrub-jays (or don't)—this update is shaking up taxonomies and putting a lot of new species up for grabs.
Land of the Lost Birds: Searching for Life in the Forests of Bioko
July 08, 2016 — A crew of American scientists is venturing into remote Equatorial Guinea, even as rampant development threatens its bird-filled wilderness.
Get This: Ancient Ostrich Relatives Used to Strut Across the American West
July 07, 2016 — New fossils hint that the U.S. was once home to an exotic group of birds.
New Bulbul Species Was Hiding in Plain Sight, Scientists Say
July 06, 2016 — In a classic case of cryptic speciation, one South Asian songbird is found to have a doppelganger.
This New Species Went Extinct Before It Was Even Discovered
July 05, 2016 — An exciting find on the Galapagos ends in a tragic twist, inspiring scientists to take a closer look at the islands' diversity.
Are Tanner Birds More Immune to Poison?
June 30, 2016 — A new study unveils how Parisian pigeons could be using their feathers to ward off trace metals in the environment.
How Birds Brave the Extremes, All Day, Every Day
June 30, 2016 — A new book reveals the strange and wondrous adaptations birds rely on to get by.
A Stunning Look at the First 3-D Prehistoric Bird Wings Ever Found by Scientists
June 30, 2016 — The fossils were discovered in Myanmar amber—a form of mummification that's typical for insects.