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These hummingbirds evolved dagger-like bills for aggressive fights
Male hermit hummingbirds use their sharp, long, and straight bills in aggressive fights—all to impress females.
Jan 14
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Fireworks drive birds into panic flights
Think twice before shooting your fireworks into the air.
Dec 19, 2025
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These birds have a strong opinion about classical music
Java sparrows prefer music by Bach or Vivaldi over compositions by Schoenberg or Carter.
Nov 26, 2025
34
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Why fairywrens sing to their eggs
Oct 8, 2025
36
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Why do woodpeckers not get stuck in trees?
Mar 5, 2025
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Maja Mielke
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Feathers with dual function: the cormorant's secret of success
Mar 12, 2025
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Maja Mielke
37
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These birds have a strong opinion about classical music
Nov 26, 2025
34
16
7
The secret ingredients of hoopoes' stinky preen oil help keep their feathers safe
Mar 19, 2025
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Maja Mielke
29
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Stare at gulls, if you don't want them to steal your lunch
Mar 26, 2025
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Chirping with Chopin
Birds react differently to classical and rock music.
Nov 14, 2025
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5
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The blood-drinking vampire finch
Vampire finches from the Galápagos Islands drink the blood of other birds to survive the dry season.
Oct 22, 2025
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Why fairywrens sing to their eggs
Superb fairywren moms teach their unhatched babies a vocal password to distinguish them from cuckoo intruders.
Oct 8, 2025
36
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Birds form long-term 'friendships' to help each other raise their young
Superb starlings in Kenya show that cooperative breeding is not limited to close family members.
Sep 24, 2025
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The Secretary bird’s skull-crushing kick
Secretary birds stomp their prey to death with forces up to 5 times their body weight.
Sep 3, 2025
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30 killer dance moves discovered in cockatoos
So far, parrots are the only known non-human animals that can dance to the rhythm of music.
Aug 21, 2025
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Only 241 kākāpō are alive today
Here's how we try to save these charismatic flightless parrots from extinction. And how you can help.
Aug 1, 2025
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Field notes from a biology conference
I attended a biology conference and learned how boobies survive a 100 km/h plunge dive into water.
Jul 17, 2025
10
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How to win the egg drop challenge
Contrary to common belief, eggs are less likely to break when landing on their side. Here's why.
Jul 2, 2025
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