Imagine this: it’s still dark, the first rays of the sun are just beginning to touch the branches of the trees — and suddenly everything around you fills with that…

Less than one percent of all bird species—around 60 in total—are unable to fly. That’s surprising, since birds are so closely identified with flight. Ostriches, penguins, kiwis, and other species…

A fossilized skull unearthed in Antarctica links prehistoric birds to their modern descendants, a new study from Ohio State University reports. The find supports the idea that all living birds…

These small birds may look incredibly cute, with their black heads and wings contrasting against their bright orange bodies. However, few realize that beneath this charming exterior lies a true…

Puffin chick season has returned to Iceland, and with it a surprising sight: people tossing chicks off cliffs. That sounds cruel, but the locals who practice this long-standing tradition are…

Modern bird genomes still carry echoes of the asteroid that ended the age of dinosaurs. “By studying the DNA of modern birds, we can uncover patterns in genetic sequences that…

Mark Twain once wrote, “Man is the only animal that blushes.” But a new study overturns that claim. A team from the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment…

On high-voltage power lines it’s common to see birds perched there. But why do they sit on wires, and how do they avoid getting electrocuted? The first part is simple:…

Antarctic penguins probably meet their daily sleep needs in tiny bursts. In fact, their total time spent in fragmented micro-sleeps adds up to about 11 hours. This adaptation lets them…

A team of Indian scientists has unveiled a study on the behavior of wild Adélie penguins that suggests the birds may have a degree of self-awareness. Researchers Prabir Ghosh Dasthidar,…

Not all birds molt the same way. Some species undergo a gradual feather change, allowing them to continue flying. Cranes, meanwhile, are highly skittish during their molting period and will…