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Birds
Birds are often envied for their ability to fly, but not all of them can. Learn how birds can manipulate feathers, bone and wing structure to soar through the air and even dive-bomb into the water for food.
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The Blue-footed Booby Dance Gets the Girl Every Time
The blue-footed booby is known as much for its comical mating dance as for its intensely colored blue feet.
6 Facts About the Majestic Snowy Owl
From the fictional Hedwig in the Harry Potter series, to those that live wild and free, the snowy owl is one of the most captivating species of owl in the world.
Why Does the Kookaburra Laugh?
There's more to Australia's kookaburra than the cheery song you learned as a kid, but what is it that makes the kookaburra laugh?
Yes, Macaws Can Talk (and Say Bad Words!)
Macaws mate for life, can speak human words and have even been known to blush when delighted.
The Fast and Furious Peregrine Falcon Is a Midair Hunting Machine
While the cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world, the peregrine falcon, a large predatory raptor, is by far the fastest bird on planet Earth.
The Freaky and Formidable Shoebill Stork Is One Strange Bird
Biochemically like a heron and anatomically similar to a pelican, the shoebill stork has been called "Monsterface" and even "Death Pelican." But wait until you hear the staccato rat-a-tat-tat of its booming machine-gun call.
The Toucan Is Far More Than the Froot Loops Mascot
Generations of cereal eaters grew up sharing the breakfast table with Toucan Sam, famous for following his long, colorful nose — but what's that bill for besides hawking cereal?
The Andean Condor: 100 Miles, 5 Hours, 0 Flaps of Its Wings
The energy efficiency of the Andean condor is the avian embodiment of the phrase "work smarter, not harder."
Honeyguide Birds Lead Humans Straight to Beehives
A remarkable partnership has formed over centuries between honeyguide birds and humans — and both species benefit when the honey is found and the comb is cracked.
The Cassowary Is the World's Most Dangerous Bird
This exotic bird could seriously injure or kill a person or a dog in an instant with its deadly claws.
Why Birds of a Feather Mob Together
Bird mobs are not roving gangs of thug birds. But they are bands of birds coming together to harass bigger predators. And the behavior is loud and raucous.
Does a Pelican's Bill Hold More Than Its Belly Can?
When a half-full plate of dinner sits before you and your overstuffed tummy, have you ever been told your eyes are too big for your stomach? The pelican's got a similar problem.
Penguins: The Monogamous Tuxedoed Birds That 'Fly' Underwater
There are up to 26 species of penguins in the world, most of whom mate for life, and while none of them can fly, they swim like Olympic champs.
Bald Eagles Aren't Really Bald, Plus 6 Other Facts
The national bird of the United States has taken on iconic status as the avian avatar of freedom, but its wingspan and steely gaze guarantee its status in the pecking order of prey birds as a symbol of strength.
The Harpy Eagle: Terrifying Apex Predator or Creepy Halloween Costume?
The largest eagle in the world has a claw the size of a grizzly bear's, a leg the size of a human's and a very disapproving gaze.
If a Peacock Loses His Tail Feathers, Do They Grow Back?
Whether used in fashion or complicated mating rituals, peacock feathers drive the ladies crazy. But, what happens when a peacock loses his last feather? Will he become a fashion-don't?
Why Are We So Fascinated With Owls?
From ancient times until today, people have been captivated by these iconic, mysterious birds. What is it about owls that makes them the enduring subject of myth and superstition?
The Secrets and Science Behind Starling Murmurations
Starlings are short and thick, with dark feathers and long, pointy bills. Collectively, however, they transform into something else entirely.
Where Did San Francisco's Wild Parrots Come From?
The parrots of the Telegraph Hill neighborhood of San Francisco are legendary, but how did they get there?
Hummingbirds: What to Feed Them and a Springtime Q&A
There's a lot of conversation around what we should be feeding our backyard hummingbird visitors, so we threw the question, along with others, to an expert.
Meet the World's Smallest, Toughest Owl
The smallest owls in the world have mad survival skills, like killing poisonous scorpions and playing dead.
Wisdom, the World's Oldest-known Bird, Lays Another Egg
Wisdom the Laysan albatross is pushing 70, but laid another egg this year.
How Birds Get Berry, Berry Drunk
Berries are a great food source for birds, but this diet can backfire when the fruit starts to ferment.
Only Birds Have a Syrinx and That's Why They Sing
Only birds have a special voice box — the syrinx — and it's what they use to sing. But what's so unique about the syrinx is that it's actually an evolutionary anomaly.
Oh, Birds! Please Don't Fly Into Our Windows
Why do birds do that? A global citizen science project wants you to help them find out.
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