The Journal

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1,084 stories and counting · Page 25

Bird ProfilesBirdwatchingBirdingMigratory BirdsBirds of PreyBirding TipsBird Sounds & CallsPre-historic BirdsBird CultureBird PhotographyRare & Endangered BirdsForest Birds
Bird Profiles

What Makes the Harpy Eagle So Fearsome?

Deep within the dense canopies of Central and South American rainforests dwells one of nature’s most formidable aerial predators – the Harpy Eagle. With its massive talons, impressive wingspan, and

A gorgeous quetzal bird perched on a branch.
Bird Profiles

The Most Ancient Bird Lineages Still Flying

When we look to the skies today, we’re witnessing living history. Among the approximately 10,000 species of modern birds, some belong to lineages so ancient they’ve witnessed the rise and

Close-up of a vibrant hummingbird in flight, showcasing its iridescent plumage.
Bird Profiles

Could This Be the Most How Hummingbirds Hover in Place You’ve Ever Seen?

Among nature’s most spectacular feats of flight, the hummingbird’s ability to hover in place stands as a marvel of evolution. These tiny avian acrobats can remain perfectly stationary in mid-air

Group of geese flying high above green trees during seasonal migration
Migratory Birds

Mistakes to Avoid When Trying To Understand How Global Warming Shifts Migration Dates

The intricate dance of animal migration has been choreographed by evolutionary forces over millennia, with species developing precise timing to match seasonal resources and conditions. However, climate change has begun

A Keen-eyed Kingfisher perches on a metal fence.
Bird Profiles

The Sharpest Beak in the Bird World

The avian world is full of extraordinary adaptations, but perhaps none are as impressive as the specialized beaks birds have evolved for their unique ecological niches. Among these remarkable structures,

Baltimore Oriole perched on top of a feeder, eating jelly
Birdwatching

Why You Should Pay Attention to Feeding Orioles Safely This Spring

As spring arrives, the vibrant flash of orange heralds the return of orioles to North American backyards. These melodious songbirds not only bring stunning colors to our gardens but also

Secretary bird running across a grassy field
Uncategorized

Why Secretary Birds Stomp Their Prey

The African savanna is home to many remarkable predators, but few hunt with the distinctive style and deadly efficiency of the secretary bird. Standing nearly 4 feet tall with elegant

Bar-headed geese are flying in a group.
Migratory Birds

The Ultimate Guide to Understanding The Altitude Records of Geese

When we gaze skyward during migration seasons, the V-formations of geese cutting through the clouds represent one of nature’s most remarkable feats of endurance and physiological adaptation. These aerial marathons,

A Secretary Bird with ruffled plumage and outstretched wings stands on green grass.
Bird Profiles

The Secret Life of the Secretary Bird

The African savanna is home to many remarkable creatures, but few are as distinctive and fascinating as the secretary bird. With its eagle-like body, crane-like legs, and a crest of

Harpy Eagle perched on a tree branch, head tilted sideways
Bird Profiles

Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Understand the Harpy Eagle’s Enormous Talons

The harpy eagle stands as one of nature’s most formidable aerial predators, equipped with talons that inspire both awe and scientific curiosity. These magnificent birds of prey, native to the

Colorful Baltimore Oriole perched on branch in natural setting.
Birding

How To Feed Orioles Without Harming Them

With their vibrant orange plumage and melodious songs, orioles represent some of North America’s most cherished backyard visitors. These striking neotropical migrants bring color and joy to gardens each spring,

Robin perched on a branch singing its melodic tune
Birdwatching

How to Turn a Balcony Into a Bird Sanctuary With Just 3 Changes!

What if your small city balcony could become a secret wildlife haven? With only a few thoughtful tweaks, you can invite a rainbow of fascinating birds right to your window—each

Display of Urvogel (Archaeopteryx bavarica) from the Upper Jurassic Solnhofen Plattenkalk, approximately 150 million years old, Bavaria, Germany.
Pre-historic Birds

Inside the Evolution of Flight From Clawed Wings to Feathers

Sometimes, the wildest stories are written not in books, but in feathers and wings. Birds are living proof that flight’s journey began long before our eyes ever glimpsed a blue

Sparrow feeding on scattered bird seed on the ground
Birding

Why You Should Pay Attention to Avoiding Common Birdseed Mistakes This Spring

Spring brings a flurry of avian activity as birds return from migration, establish territories, and begin nesting. This makes it an ideal time to enhance your backyard bird feeding practices.

A green and brown kākāpō rests among leaves.
Bird Profiles

The Secret Life of the Kakapo

The kakapo, a nocturnal, flightless parrot native to New Zealand, is one of the world’s most fascinating and endangered birds. With fewer than 250 individuals remaining in the wild, these

European Robin perched on a bare branch
Migratory Birds

How Do Birds Sense Magnetic Fields?

For centuries, humans have marveled at the extraordinary navigational abilities of migratory birds, capable of journeying thousands of miles with astonishing precision. Birds somehow find their way across vast continents

A crow perched on a willow branch.
Bird Profiles

Hidden Facts About the Intelligence of Crows That Might Surprise You

When we think of highly intelligent animals, dolphins, chimps, and dogs often come to mind first. However, lurking in the shadows of our neighborhoods and forests are some of the

Bar-tailed Godwit flying low above wet ground with wings flapping downward
Migratory Birds

How Bar-tailed Godwit’s Nonstop Flight Are Changing the Way We Birdwatch

The bar-tailed godwit has rewritten the rulebook on avian endurance and migration. This remarkable shorebird undertakes the longest nonstop flight of any bird, traveling over 7,000 miles across the Pacific