It’s that time of year when our skies are full of travelers—songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl—millions of them flying under the cover of night as they migrate north for spring. And as magical as that sounds, there's a very real problem they face along the way: light...
One of the most common questions we get at Avian Behavior Conservancy is whether our small owls—Tina, the burrowing owl, and Nigel, the screech owl—are babies. It’s an understandable assumption; after all, they’re small, fluffy-looking, and have that wide-eyed, inquisitive expression that makes them seem...
When you think of a vulture, you might picture a hunched scavenger circling ominously overhead or lurking by a roadside carcass. Maybe you’ve even heard the myth that vultures are dirty, dangerous, or waiting for something to die. But at Avian Behavior International, we’re on...
As the weather warms up, the battle against bugs begins. Mosquitoes buzzing around your head, beetles in the garden, caterpillars munching on your plants—it’s easy to see them as nothing more than pests. But before you reach for the spray or swat that bug away, consider...
Courtship is an essential part of avian life, influencing not only reproduction but also the survival of species. Birds have evolved an astonishing range of behaviors to attract mates, many of which serve as indicators of health, genetic fitness, and resource availability. Understanding these behaviors...
If you have ever been driving down a two lane highway through the grasslands of the US and seen a small, dove-sized raptor perched on a wire, bobbing their head as they scan the fields below or even hovering over a field before plunging into...
If you have never heard the term “spark bird,” allow me to introduce you to a concept that has ignited the passion for birds. A 'spark bird' is that one bird whose presence captures your heart and opens your eyes to the wonder of birds...
One of the big lessons that the increase in bird watching during the pandemic taught people, it is that birds lead really hard lives. From diseases spread at the bird feeders, domestic cat predation, and glass strikes, there are many challenges that face modern bird...
Ever thought about what happens when a species spreads into new territory? I recently asked this question myself at a scientific conference I attended after hearing about black vultures and barred owls expanding their ranges. For many of us, this seems simple: if an animal is...
Have you ever found a large molted feather, wondered who it came from, picked it up and took it home? Did you know that all feathers from native birds are federally protected, dating back to the time when birds like egrets, herons and songbirds were...