This Grassland Bird Eavesdrops on Prairie Dogs to Keep Itself Safe From Predators

Prairie dogs are the Paul Reveres of the Great Plains: They bark to alert neighbors to the presence of predators, with separate calls for dangers coming by land or by air.

"Prairie dogs are on the menu for just about every predator you can think of"— golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, foxes, badgers, even large snakes — said Andy Boyce, a research ecologist in Montana at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Meet the Bird That Can Fly 8,000 Miles Without Stopping

Could anything be more humbling to the puffed-up human race than the abilities of a young sandpiper named B6? Many of us find animal achievements fascinating, especially stunning feats of migration and navigation. We are awed by southbound autumn travels of monarch butterflies flying from New England to their winter retreat in Mexico. Or the young male mountain lion that trekked from Black Hills of South Dakota to Connecticut in search of a territory.

Why a Woodpecker is Breaking Car Mirrors in This Small New England Town

Rockport residents have a history of fighting off invaders, but not this time.

During the War of 1812, townsfolk in the tiny fishing village hurled rocks at British soldiers using their stockings as slings. Now, they're slinging trash bags and towels over the side mirrors of their cars to protect them from a destructive and determined Pileated Woodpecker.

Should I Use a Hummingbird Feeder in Winter? What Experts Say

Here’s what to know about feeding hummingbirds in winter.

Depending on where you live, you may see hummingbirds in winter and want to feed them. Cold temperatures can raise concerns about how the birds survive—and whether a feeder actually helps.

So what do experts say about feeding hummingbirds during the winter months?

How Researchers Restored a Thriving Habitat For Atlantic Puffins in Maine

Atlantic puffins face an increasingly precarious foothold due in part to a loss of habitat and to troubles tied to warming ocean waters and climate change.

But an effort off the coast of Maine continues to provide a crucial nesting habitat for these seabirds and a place for them to thrive. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien traveled to the colony for our series, Tipping Point.

Bring Birds Back

Most bird families across the continent are declining, and many species are at risk of disappearing entirely. It is estimated that North America has lost nearly 3 billion breeding birds since 1970, which is roughly 1 out of every 4 birds.

By working together, we can strengthen our partnerships, efforts, creativity, and capacity to sustain and grow bird populations to Bring Birds Back.

Federal Spending Bill That Strengthens Bird Conservation Signed Into Law

In good news for birds and other wildlife, on January 23, 2026, a funding package for essential conservation programs was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. The bill, H.R.6938, “Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026,” requires funding for the U.S. Department of Interior, which oversees agencies critical to bird conservation.

Noise Pollution is Affecting Birds’ Reproduction, Stress Levels and More. The Good News is We Can Fix It.

New research led by the University of Michigan is painting a more comprehensive picture of how noise pollution is impacting birds around the world.

“The major takeaway from this study is that anthropogenic noise affects many aspects of bird behavior, with some responses more directly tied to fitness,” said Natalie Madden, lead author of the new study.

North American Bird Declines Are Driven By Reductions in Common Species

Bird abundance in the United States has decreased by 29% in the last fifty years. Similar patterns have been recorded for insects in Europe.

A detailed analysis of over 38,000 Breeding Bird Survey routes in the US shows that losses of once-abundant bird species have fueled the decline over the past half-century. Paradoxically, many of their rarer counterparts are increasing, some likely capitalizing on opportunities created by climate change.

Birding Festivals and Events

A great way to enjoy birdwatching is by going to festivals—they’re organized to get you to well-known birding spots at the right time of year, and they’re a perfect way to meet people.

Experts and locals help you see more birds, and you’ll meet other visitors who share your hobby. While you’re there, keep an eye out for Cornell Lab representatives, as we do attend several festivals each year.

Green-winged Teal

These compact, perky little ducks hold the record for smallest dabbling duck in North America. They are about the size of a robin, but what they lack in size they make up in numbers with some wintering flocks containing up to 50,000 members!

Green-winged Teals inhabit inland lakes, marshes, ponds, pools, and shallow streams with dense emergent and aquatic vegetation.

Momentary Meditations are published every Monday to awaken what Rachel Carson called “the sense of wonder” and what Albert Schweitzer called “a reverence for life.” Looking deeply into our interdependence with all life on earth helps us know what we must do. In our harried world, these meditations are meant to serve as a renewable resource for compassion and love.

Hope in Dark Times - Seeing a male Cardinal after the death of a loved one or in the dark of winter is often considered a spiritual message of hope and joy. In these dangerous and dark political times, I hope you will take a moment and enjoy the beauty of this bird.

Backyard Birds Revealed

Made possible by Wild Birds Unlimited, Backyard Birds Revealed is a five-part video series from our partners at Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It captures the hidden details of backyard birds through inventive, award-winning cinematography from wildlife filmmakers Tim and Russell Laman, using a 1,000-frames-per-second camera to slow down the action. Watch the series to see your everyday feeder birds in a whole new way and deepen your connection with nature, right outside your window.