The Journal

All Stories

1,084 stories and counting · Page 10

Bird ProfilesBirdwatchingBirdingMigratory BirdsBirds of PreyBirding TipsBird Sounds & CallsPre-historic BirdsBird CultureBird PhotographyRare & Endangered BirdsForest Birds
a bird is perched on a mossy rock
Rare & Endangered Birds

How You Can Help Protect Endangered Birds in Your Area

Birds are magnificent creatures that play vital roles in our ecosystems, from pollinating plants to controlling insect populations. Unfortunately, many bird species face serious threats to their survival, with…

A Cactus Wren perches on top of a saguaro cactus under a clear blue sky.
Bird Profiles

How Birds Survive in the Harshest Deserts on Earth

In the relentless furnace of the world’s most unforgiving deserts, where daytime temperatures soar beyond 120°F and water sources are scarce, mirages, avian life not only persists but thrives. Desert

A stunning owl perched on a tree branch at night, surrounded by lush leaves.
Bird Profiles

The Secret Life of Nocturnal Bird Species

In the quiet darkness that blankets our world each night, a remarkable transformation occurs in the avian kingdom. As diurnal birds settle into their roosts for evening rest, their nocturnal

Colorful scarlet macaw preening feathers, surrounded by lush tropical greenery.
Bird Profiles

The Bird With Feathers That Glow Under UV Light

In the avian world, where vibrant colors and intricate patterns already astonish observers, certain birds possess an even more remarkable feature that remains invisible to the naked human eye. Some

A Black-tailed Godwit flies with its wings spread against a blue sky.
Bird Profiles

How Birds Survive Long Flights Over Open Ocean

Every year, millions of birds embark on extraordinary journeys across vast expanses of open ocean, traveling thousands of miles without the luxury of rest stops or food sources along the

Flock of birds silhouetted against a colorful sunset sky, creating a dramatic natural scene.
Bird Sounds & Calls

How Birds Navigate by Reading the Stars

When we look up at the night sky, we see a vast expanse of twinkling lights—beautiful, but perhaps somewhat bewildering. For birds, however, these celestial bodies represent something far more

Three seagulls gracefully soaring above the clear blue water on a bright day.
Bird Profiles

The Best Places to See Seabirds in the U.S.

The United States, with its expansive coastlines stretching from the frigid waters of Alaska to the tropical shores of Florida, offers some of the world’s most spectacular seabird viewing opportunities.

An Arctic Tern perched on a railing with a fish in its beak, captured outdoors.
Migratory Birds

Why Some Birds Fly Thousands of Miles With No Rest

The sight of birds flying in V-formation across the sky has captivated humans throughout history. Even more remarkable than their aerial patterns is the incredible feat accomplished by certain avian

A person wearing a camouflage hat and long sleeves is likely engaged in birdwatching.
Birding

How to Dress for Birdwatching – What to Wear for the Best Experience

Birdwatching is a delightful blend of patience, observation, and immersion in nature. While many focus on equipment like binoculars and field guides, your clothing choices can significantly impact your birding

Several entrance holes to a bee nest are visible in weathered wooden planks.
Bird Photography

The Best Portable Bird Blinds for Photographers

For wildlife photographers, capturing stunning images of birds in their natural habitats requires patience, skill, and the right equipment. Among the most valuable tools in a bird photographer’s arsenal is

A silhouette of a streetlamp with a bear figure is backlit by a bright sky.
Bird Profiles

How Birds Are Adapting to Light Pollution

The night sky is no longer truly dark in many parts of the world. As human civilization has expanded, artificial light has increasingly illuminated our evenings and early mornings, creating

A Yellow-bellied sunbird-asity with vibrant yellow and blue plumage perches on a branch.
Bird Profiles

The Bird That Turns Its Back Feathers Into a Rainbow

Nature never ceases to amaze us with its spectacular displays of color and beauty. Among the most extraordinary examples is a bird species that can transform its back feathers into

Bird standing on a brown stone fountain
Birdwatching

The Best Water Features for Small Bird Spaces

Water features can transform a compact bird-friendly area into a vibrant oasis that attracts and nurtures our feathered friends. Whether you have a tiny balcony, a small backyard, or just

A white bird on brown tree branch during daytime.
Bird Culture

The Bird That Inspired the Airplane – The Real Wright Brother Muse

When we think of human flight, the Wright brothers immediately come to mind as the pioneers who conquered the skies in 1903. Their achievement at Kitty Hawk represents one of

White-bellied go-away-bird perched on a branch.
Bird Profiles

Meet the White-Bellied Go-Away Bird: Africa’s Funniest Name

The wild expanses of Africa’s savannas and woodlands are home to countless fascinating creatures, but few can boast a name as memorable as the White-bellied Go-away Bird. This distinctive avian

Three baby oriental reed warblers with open mouths wait in their woven nest among green reeds.
Bird Profiles

Why Some Birds Are Born Blind and Featherless

Unlike mammals that are often born with fur and the ability to see, many bird species enter the world in what appears to be an incomplete state – blind, nearly

A flock of Canada Geese flies in formation across a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.
Bird Profiles

The Role of Social Learning in Bird Flocks

In the vast theater of nature, few performances rival the breathtaking synchrony of bird flocks in flight. From starling murmurations that paint fluid patterns across twilight skies to the perfect

A gull flying with wings spread wide during twilight.
Migratory Birds

Why Some Birds Migrate at Night – The Secret of Nocturnal Flights

As the sun sets and darkness envelops the landscape, something remarkable happens in the skies above us. While most of nature’s diurnal creatures settle down for the night, countless birds