The Journal

All Stories

1,084 stories and counting · Page 14

Bird ProfilesBirdwatchingBirdingMigratory BirdsBirds of PreyBirding TipsBird Sounds & CallsPre-historic BirdsBird CultureBird PhotographyRare & Endangered BirdsForest Birds
Bearded Vulture resting on rocky surface with orange-stained feathers
Birds of Prey

How the Bearded Vulture Gets Its Fiery Color

In the rugged mountains of Europe, Asia, and Africa soars one of nature’s most distinctive birds – the bearded vulture, also known as the lammergeier. While most vultures present in

A Kākāpō, a large, flightless parrot, is seen with its distinctive greenish-yellow feathers.
Bird Profiles

The Strange Breeding Habits of the Kakapo

The kakapo, scientifically known as *Strigops habroptilus*, stands as one of the world’s most fascinating and peculiar birds. Native to New Zealand, this flightless parrot has developed breeding behaviors so

Field of blooming sunflowers basking in summer sunlight
Birdwatching

Why Sunflowers Are a Birdwatching Secret Weapon

When we think of bird-watching essentials, binoculars, field guides, and perhaps a comfortable chair come to mind. However, savvy birders have discovered an unexpected ally in their quest to observe

Thousands of Snow geese fill the sky over a vast, snow-dusted field and distant trees.
Migratory Birds

Why Some Birds Migrate Thousands of Miles for the Same Nesting Spot

Every year, countless birds embark on epic journeys spanning continents and oceans, only to return to the exact same nesting location they left months before. From Arctic terns traveling over

A Northern Mockingbird perches on a birdbath, showcasing its elegant plumage.
Birding

How to Help Birds During Drought Conditions

In times of drought, our feathered friends face significant challenges that often go unnoticed. As water sources diminish and natural food becomes scarce, birds struggle to maintain their normal behaviors

A serene scene of pelicans gathering on a grassy island in a reflective lake.
Migratory Birds

The Best Migration Rest Stops in North America

Every year, billions of birds embark on epic journeys across the North American continent, traversing thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds. These magnificent feats of endurance would be

Various taxidermied birds are displayed in a glass case.
Bird Profiles

The Most Famous Birds in History and Folklore

From ancient myths to modern culture, birds have captivated human imagination across centuries and civilizations. These feathered creatures have soared beyond their physical existence to become powerful symbols, revered…

Maleo bird standing on a branch, partially hidden by green leaves
Bird Profiles

Why the Maleo Lays Eggs in Volcanic Soil

The maleo bird (Macrocephalon maleo) is arguably one of nature’s most fascinating creatures, not for its modest appearance, but for its extraordinary reproductive strategy. Native to the Indonesian island of

A striking Great Grey Owl stares directly ahead with piercing yellow eyes.
Bird Profiles

Why the Great Gray Owl Hears Better Than It Sees

Deep in the boreal forests of North America and Eurasia lives a mysterious predator whose hunting abilities have fascinated scientists for generations. The Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa), with its

An American Woodcock rests under a branch.
Bird Profiles

How the American Woodcock Performs Its Sky Dance

The American Woodcock, sometimes affectionately called the “timberdoodle,” performs one of nature’s most spectacular and peculiar courtship displays. As dusk settles over moist woodlands and field edges across eastern…

Blue tit perched on DIY plastic bottle bird feeder.
Birdwatching

The Easiest DIY Feeder Projects for Beginners

Creating your own DIY feeders for birds, wildlife, or pets can be a rewarding experience that connects you with nature while saving money. For beginners, the world of DIY projects

Bearded Vulture standing sideways
Bird Profiles

The Lammergeier That Eats Bones for Breakfast

High in the rugged mountain ranges of Europe, Asia, and Africa soars one of nature’s most fascinating scavengers—the lammergeier, also known as the bearded vulture. Unlike typical vultures that feast

A laughing kookaburra with brown, white, and blue feathers perches on the edge of a terracotta pot.
Bird Sounds & Calls

The Bird That Sounds Like a Human Laugh

Deep in the forests and woodlands across Australia, a curious sound often startles hikers and nature enthusiasts – a boisterous, cackling laugh that sounds remarkably human. This isn’t some practical

A majestic Peregrine Falcon perched on a falconer's glove outdoors, showcasing its feathers.
Bird Profiles

The Bird That Can Fly Faster Than a Racehorse

In the vast theater of nature, where countless performances of survival and adaptation play out daily, few spectacles rival the breathtaking speed of the peregrine falcon. While racehorses thunder across

Close-up of a Common Shelduck flying over water.
Migratory Birds

How Birds Stay Aloft for Hours Without Flapping

The sky, with its vast expanse and seemingly boundless freedom, has captivated human imagination for millennia. Among its most mesmerizing mysteries is how certain birds effortlessly ride the air currents,

Western Capercaillie perched on a branch
Bird Profiles

Why the Capercaillie Is Europe’s Rarest Game Bird

The capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), often described as the “king of grouse,” stands as one of Europe’s most enigmatic and threatened woodland birds. This magnificent creature, with its impressive size and

A Greater Prairie Chicken with striped plumage and distinctive head feathers stands in a field.
Bird Profiles

Why the Greater Prairie Chicken Performs a Booming Dance

The Greater Prairie Chicken’s elaborate mating display stands as one of nature’s most fascinating rituals. Each spring across America’s grasslands, male prairie chickens gather in special areas called leks to

Bird perched on a plant stem exposed to sunlight
Migratory Birds

The Role of Daylight Changes in Triggering Migration

For millennia, the world has witnessed one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena: animal migration. From the epic journeys of monarch butterflies spanning thousands of miles to the precise timing of