Miscellaneous Birds

Biodiversity if an amazing and wonderful thing. But it also means that there are many types of birds that don't fit into a specific categories. Read about all types of strange but beautiful birds in this section.

More Animals Topics to Explore

Bald Eagles Aren't Really Bald, Plus 6 Other Facts

The Harpy Eagle: Terrifying Apex Predator or Creepy Halloween Costume?

Why Are We So Fascinated With Owls?

If a Peacock Loses His Tail Feathers, Do They Grow Back?

What the Cluck? How a Hen Turned Into a Rooster

Watch a Chicken Grow and Hatch Without An Egg

The Secrets and Science Behind Starling Murmurations

How Birds Get Berry, Berry Drunk

Only Birds Have a Syrinx and That's Why They Sing

Penguins: The Monogamous Tuxedoed Birds That 'Fly' Underwater

Duck, Duck, Booze: Bird Herds Handle Pest Control at South African Winery

How North Korea Being Bad for People Is Good for Birds

Learn More

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?

By Jesslyn Shields Jun 24, 2019 Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

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.

By Jamie Allen Apr 2, 2019 Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Wisdom, the World's Oldest-known Bird, Lays Another Egg

Wisdom the Laysan albatross is pushing 70, but laid another egg this year.

By Jesslyn Shields Dec 21, 2018 Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

French Rooks Trained as Park Janitors

A French theme park has trained a crew of six rooks to pick up after its messy guests.

By Jesslyn Shields Aug 29, 2018 Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Urban Birds Oust Bugs With Butts

Certain urban-dwelling bird species use cigarette butts in building their nests.

By Carrie Tatro Jan 8, 2018 Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Male Cockatoos Woo Their Ladies With Impressive Drum Solos

Aside from humans, these birds are the only ones who make drumsticks for musical purposes.

By Alia Hoyt Jul 11, 2017 Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Watch Cockatoos Make Tiny Tools to Get Food

Cockatoos aren't just excellent dancers — they're also excellent toolmakers.

By Alia Hoyt Nov 28, 2016 Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

There's a Stinky Reason Seabirds Eat Plastic

A recent study has identified why some seabirds mistake the plastic dumped in the ocean for food. The nose knows why.

By Karen Kirkpatrick Nov 9, 2016 Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

This Tiny Bird Can Fly for 10 Months Without Landing, Biologists Discover

Thanks to new technology, researchers have discovered that the common swift flies 10 months a year without landing, setting a world record for uninterrupted time aloft.

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 2, 2016 Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Penguins All the Way in Antarctica Have Bird Flu, Too

Even the frozen continent isn't safe from bird flu.

By Kate Kershner Oct 7, 2016 Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Guess How Far a Hummingbird Can Fly Without Stopping. Nope, It's Farther.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate annually from the U.S. all the way to Central America. How often would one need to stop? A new study reveals amazing abilities.

By Christopher Hassiotis Mar 9, 2016 Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Impressive Bird Hustles

Have you ever had to shout to make yourself heard at a loud restaurant? Turns out we noisy humans are doing that to birds, and it's making it hard to mate.

By Julie Douglas Oct 27, 2015 Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

10 Superstitions About Birds

As Hitchcock's 1963 horror classic "The Birds" taught us, it's a good idea to respect our avian friends. Before you accidentally let any bad luck take wing, peck away at these bird-related superstitions.

By Bambi Turner Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Do ostriches really bury their heads in the sand?

When a friend decides to ignore their problems, you might liken them to an ostrich. But ostriches are much more likely to face a problem head-on than hide it in the sand.

By Bambi Turner Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Belted Kingfisher

This pigeon-sized bird has a gray back and white belly. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Brown Pelican

The brown pelican is the only pelican to catch its food by plunging from great heights in the air and diving underwater. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Downy Woodpecker

This woodpecker can be found in forests, city parks and even your own back yard. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Great Blue Heron

A large, grayish bird with an elegant long neck, the great blue heron can be mistaken for similar-looking birds, such as the sandhill crane. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Herring Gull

The herring gull is your basic seagull. These gulls spend a lot of time foraging for food at sea and are very adaptable. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Killdeer

The killdeer is a shorebird, is brown above and white below. Learn more about the killdeer. See a picture, learn some facts is and get tips on how to see them in the wild.

Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Northern Flicker

The northern flicker is a large woodpecker with dark brown bars and spots on its undercarriage. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

How to Identify Birds

You are an avid birdwatcher and would like to know how to identify birds. This article will tell you all about how to identify birds.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

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

By Shanna Freeman Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Bird Pictures

Did you know that it's the possession of feathers, not the ability to fly, that distinguishes birds from other animals? Take a view of these bird pictures to see how many you recognize.

By Marie Bobel Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

What's the difference between a penguin and a puffin?

Penguins and puffins might love formal wear and waddling, but the similarities end there. These fish-loving birds don't see eye to eye on issues like transportation and real estate.

By Cristen Conger Birds / Miscellaneous Birds