Birds

A South African winery is employing a band of feathered guards to protect from invaders, and these runner ducks are eating up the enemy.

By Laurie L. Dove

Japanese video shows a chicken developing and hatching without an eggshell.

By Kathryn Whitbourne

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

Black kites are drawn to fires, chasing down prey as it flees the flames. And some believe they may even start fires in order to have more menu options.

By Karen Kirkpatrick

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

Nature can be a pretty cruel place. Out in the wild, it's either kill or be killed. But in the spirit of self-preservation, will a mama bird really abandon its young at the slightest sign of human interference? Let's check the facts.

By Kate Kershner

Read the greatest stories of the pigeons who have served as invaluable to people who need to send important messages over long distances.

Check out our list of the most common myths about pigeons, and perhaps you'll learn a thing or two about our familiar feathered friends!

By Colleen Cancio

The blue jay can be seen roaming the skies in deciduous forests, but is also a common sight in city parks and back yards. Read on to learn more about this bird.

When you think of geese, the Canadian variety probably comes to mind. These large water birds are endemic to North America and their V-shaped migratory formations can be seen in the skies each fall and spring.

A medium-sized hawk, the cooper's hawk is slate gray above and whitish with fine stripes on its belly. Read on to learn more about this powerful bird.

This medium-sized sparrow can vary in color, but is generally slate gray with a white belly and, of course, dark eyes. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Contrary to its name, the eastern kingbird can be seen in the skies throughout North America as well as in the Amazon. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Smaller than a robin, this black bird turns a striking iridescent purple and green in the spring. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Mallards can be found in ponds, lakes and marshes. Read on to learn more about this bird.

Red-tailed hawks are the most common hawk species in North America. These massive birds are known to mate for life, and, despite their name, to have feathers in a variety of colors.

By Wendy Bowman

A blackish bird about the size of an eagle, the distinctive flight pattern of the turkey vulture helps to identify this bird as it soars high in the air. Read on to learn more about this bird.

True to its name the yellow warbler is bright yellow. A light olive-green tinge colors its back and males have rusty streaks on their breast.

Whichever came first, the chicken or the egg, you want to know how to collect the eggs from a chicken. This article will tell you how to collect eggs from a chicken.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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

Many animals have defense mechanisms to ward off enemies. If you think it’s a good idea to frighten a vulture, be ready for the smell of rotting flesh and acid-like burns.

By Cristen Conger

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

Geese don't exchange vows or rings, but they do search for their lifelong mate. However, are geese really faithful, or do they take a gander at the opposite sex?

By Jennifer Horton

The Millennium Falcon might be fast in a galaxy far, far away, but the peregrine falcon reigns supreme on Earth. This bird doesn't have warp speed, but it sure can zoom.

By Jennifer Horton

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