The Journal

All Stories

1,084 stories and counting · Page 19

An Andean condor soars with its wings outstretched.
Bird Profiles

How the Andean Condor Stays Aloft for Hours

The Andean Condor, with its impressive 10-foot wingspan, represents one of nature’s most remarkable engineering feats. These majestic birds can soar through the skies of South America for hours, sometimes

Seagull flying over calm water with city skyline in the background
Migratory Birds

How Human Noise Disrupts Migration Paths

Our world is filled with countless migratory species that navigate vast distances across land, sea, and sky, following ancient pathways crucial to their survival. For millions of years, these journeys

An oilbird with large eyes and speckled brown plumage rests on a branch.
Bird Profiles

How the Oilbird Navigates in Complete Darkness

In the pitch-black caves of South America, a remarkable bird has evolved one of the most sophisticated navigation systems in the animal kingdom. The Oilbird (Steatornis caripensis), locally known as

Bird bathing in water inside a fountain
Birdwatching

How to Make a Bird-Friendly Water Fountain

Water features can transform your outdoor space into a vibrant sanctuary for wild birds. While birdbaths are common, a well-designed water fountain offers something even more attractive to our feathered

Seagulls fly over the water at sunset.
Migratory Birds

How the Sun and Stars Guide Migrating Flocks

Every year, billions of birds embark on incredible journeys spanning thousands of miles, navigating with remarkable precision across continents and oceans. While humans rely on GPS and maps, birds possess

Three Sandhill Cranes gracefully flying against a blue sky.
Migratory Birds

How Wind Patterns Decide Who Arrives First

The race across oceans and skies, whether by sailboat, aircraft, or even migrating birds, is profoundly influenced by an invisible force that shapes our world: wind. From ancient mariners navigating

A shoebill with a large, shoe-shaped bill open, showing its unique features.
Bird Profiles

How the Shoebill Communicates With a Bill Clap

In the depths of the marshlands of East Africa stands one of the most prehistoric-looking birds on our planet – the shoebill stork. With its massive shoe-shaped bill and unblinking

Two Baya Weaver birds working together to build a hanging nest
Birdwatching

How to Protect Nesting Birds From Predators

Birds face numerous challenges when creating and maintaining a safe nest for their eggs and young. From raccoons and snakes to cats and larger birds of prey, various predators can

mulberries growing on a leafy plant branch
Birding

The Best Native Plants to Bring Birds to Your Yard

Creating a bird-friendly landscape starts with understanding the profound connection between native plants and local bird populations. Native plants have evolved alongside local wildlife for thousands of years…

A colorful Nicobar pigeon on sandy ground, highlighting its vibrant plumage.
Bird Profiles

The Nicobar Pigeon’s Connection to the Dodo

In the vibrant tapestry of avian evolution, few stories are as captivating as the relationship between the extinct Dodo and its closest living relative, the Nicobar Pigeon. While the Dodo

An American Goldfinch perches on a bird feeder filled with seeds.
Birdwatching

How to Keep Mold Out of Your Bird Feeder

Bird feeders bring joy to both avid birders and casual nature enthusiasts, transforming ordinary backyards into vibrant wildlife habitats. However, these beloved feeding stations can quickly become breeding grounds for

A sleek, dark raven stands perched with its sharp beak slightly open.
Bird Profiles

What Makes the Raven One of the Smartest Birds on Earth

Ravens have long captivated human imagination through mythology, literature, and scientific study. These glossy black birds belong to the corvid family—known for their exceptional intelligence—yet ravens stand out even…

Satin Bowerbird with a striking blue-black plumage perches on a rock.
Bird Profiles

What Makes the Bowerbird a True Interior Designer

In the lush forests of New Guinea and Australia, a remarkable avian architect has evolved artistic abilities that rival human interior designers. The bowerbird, belonging to the family Ptilonorhynchidae, represents

Bird nest resting on pine branches
Birding

How to Tell If a Bird Is Nesting in Your Yard

Discovering that birds have chosen your yard as their nesting site can be a delightful experience. These feathered architects transform simple materials into intricate homes where they raise their young,

A Snowy Owl sits in a snowy landscape.
Bird Profiles

The Snowy Owl’s Secret to Hunting in Silence

In the vast Arctic tundra, where the landscape lies blanketed in snow for much of the year, one magnificent predator has evolved remarkable adaptations that allow it to hunt with

A massive flock of starlings creates a breathtaking display in the sky.
Migratory Birds

What a Super Flock Is and Why It Happens

In the vast theater of nature, few phenomena captivate the human imagination quite like the synchronized movements of birds in flight. Among these spectacles, the super flock stands as one

Man Hands Holding Camera and Taking Pictures of Sparrow.
Birdwatching

The Best Times of Year for Backyard Bird Photography

Capturing the beauty of birds in your own backyard is a rewarding pursuit that combines the joy of wildlife observation with the artistry of photography. While birds can be photographed

Curious bird perched on car window edge looking at the side mirror
Birdwatching

Why Birds Are Pecking at Your Car Mirrors

Have you ever returned to your parked car only to find a bird frantically attacking its own reflection in your side mirror? This peculiar behavior can be both amusing and