The Journal

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1,084 stories and counting · Page 32

Bird ProfilesBirdwatchingBirdingMigratory BirdsBirds of PreyBirding TipsBird Sounds & CallsPre-historic BirdsBird CultureBird PhotographyRare & Endangered BirdsForest Birds
White-tailed Sea Eagles engaged in mid-air battle above a body of water
Birds of Prey

Witnessing a Mid-Air Raptor Battle What It’s Really Like

In the vast theater of the sky, nature occasionally stages one of its most dramatic spectacles: aerial combat between birds of prey. These mid-air raptor battles are rare moments when

Image of sparrows perched on a glass balcony railing in a residential area.
Birdwatching

Tiny Balcony? Here’s How to Turn It Into a Bird Magnet

Living in an urban environment doesn’t mean you have to miss out on connecting with wildlife. Even the smallest balcony can become a thriving haven for beautiful birds with the

Bohemian Waxwing perched on a branch, eating bright red berries surrounded by rich green leaves
Birdwatching

The Top 6 Bird-Friendly Plants You’re Probably Ignoring

Serviceberry: The Secret Songbird Buffet Serviceberry bushes aren’t just pretty—they’re a five-star restaurant for robins, cedar waxwings, and thrushes. Their juicy, blueberry-like fruit ripens in early summer, just in…

Bird perched on top of a garden sprinkler in a backyard
Birding

7 Tricks That Make Your Yard a Bird Paradise (No Tools Needed!)

Transforming your backyard into a haven for birds doesn’t require fancy equipment or professional landscaping. With a few simple, tool-free strategies, you can attract a delightful array of feathered friends

A powerful Red-tailed Hawk soars with wings fully extended against a clear blue sky.
Birds of Prey

How Raptors Use Acrobatics to Defend Their Turf

In the vast theater of the sky, birds of prey perform some of the most spectacular aerial displays in the animal kingdom. These aren’t merely shows of avian athleticism—they’re sophisticated

A nightjar with intricately patterned plumage rests against the dark.
Bird Profiles

What Happens If the Mysterious Nightjars Suddenly Disappear?

The mysterious nightjars, with their cryptic plumage and nocturnal habits, are among nature’s most enigmatic creatures. These medium-sized birds have evolved over millennia to become perfectly adapted to their specific

Skeletal mount of Bambiraptor on display at the 2010 “Dans l’ombre des dinosaures” dinosaur exhibition
Pre-historic Birds

Meet the Missing Link Between Dinosaurs and Songbirds

The journey from fearsome dinosaur to melodious songbird represents one of evolution’s most fascinating transformations. For decades, paleontologists and ornithologists have worked to piece together this remarkable…

Close-up of a house sparrow perched on a branch, showcasing detailed plumage.
Birdwatching

5 Everyday Birds With Surprising Habits You’ve Never Noticed

In our busy lives, we often overlook the fascinating behaviors of the birds that share our neighborhoods and parks. These feathered neighbors, which we might dismiss with a casual glance,

Reconstruction of Utahraptor ostrommaysorum, a large dromaeosaurid dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous
Pre-historic Birds

This Feathered Giant Hunted Like a Velociraptor

Deep within the prehistoric landscapes of what would become North America, a terrifying predator stalked its prey with the calculated precision of a modern-day hawk and the ferocity of a

A Great Tit perches near a bird feeder.
Birding

9 Reasons Birds Avoid Your Feeder — #3 Is a Surprise

Ever set up a bird feeder, filled it with seeds, and then… nothing? No chirping visitors, no fluttering wings—just a lonely feeder. It’s frustrating, right? Let’s dive into nine reasons

Seagull soaring in sunlight beneath a partly cloudy blue sky
Birdwatching

Birds in Heatwaves How to Help During Extreme Weather

As our planet continues to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves due to climate change, wildlife faces unprecedented challenges. Birds, with their small bodies and high metabolic rates, are particularly

Arctic Tern in mid-flight against a backdrop of a blue sky
Migratory Birds

The Arctic Tern’s Twin Summer Trick: Two Seasons, One Bird

Wings Over Two Worlds With wings stretched wide, the Arctic Tern glides from the frozen north to the icy south, chasing summer all year round. This feathered traveler experiences more

Dromornis planei skull fossil displayed in a museum exhibit
Pre-historic Birds

This Flightless Titan Once Roamed Ancient Australia

In the prehistoric landscapes of Australia, amid dense eucalyptus forests and vast grasslands, a massive avian titan once dominated the ecosystem. Standing taller than the average human and weighing several

Bird eating red berries from the top of a hawthorn shrub
Birding

10 Ways to Make Birds Trust You — Without Food

Building a bond with our feathered friends can be a rewarding experience, and it’s entirely possible to earn their trust without offering food. Here are ten effective strategies to foster

Dark evening sky with flock of birds flying over power lines
Migratory Birds

How Birds Use the Stars, Smells, and Earth’s Magnetism to Navigate

Ever wondered how birds find their way across continents, through moonlit skies and swirling winds? Their journeys are filled with astonishing strategies—each bird, a tiny explorer, reading invisible maps written

A sleek Peregrine Falcon with gray and white feathers attends to something inside a wooden nesting box.
Birds of Prey

City Raptors 9 Predators Thriving in Urban Life

As cities expand and urban landscapes reshape our environment, a remarkable adaptation is taking place above our streets and among our buildings. Birds of prey—raptors whose ancestors have hunted wild

A majestic Peregrine Falcon perched on a falconer's glove outdoors, showcasing its feathers.
Birds of Prey

The Bond Between Falconers and Their Birds Is Deeper Than You Think

In the ancient art of falconry, the relationship between human and bird transcends the typical boundaries of animal handling. While most people understand falconry as simply training birds of prey

Birds of Prey

You Won’t Believe These 9 Prey Items Found in Raptor Stomachs

Raptors, the majestic birds of prey, are renowned for their hunting prowess and diverse diets. While we often associate them with common prey like rodents and small birds, some raptors