Birds
Birds (Class Aves) are unique creatures having wings, feathers, hollow bones, and other adaptations for an arial lifestyle. Flight consumes a great deal of energy and consequently these warm-blooded animals have high metabolic rates. Many of their bones are fused for strength and stability.
Albatrosses and Petrals (3)
Owls (1)
Birds of Prey (1)
Passerines (2)
Cassowaries and Emus (0)
Pelicans and Relatives (3)
Cranes and Relatives (4)
Penguins (4)
Cuckoos and Turacos (0)
Shorebirds (1)
Flamingos (1)
Tinamous (0)
Gamebirds
Waterfowl (4)
Herons and Relatives (3)
Woodpeckers and Relatives (3)
Hummingbirds (3)
Bird Eggs Strengthened by Speckles
For decades, a debate about why birds' eggs are speckled has focused on two possible explanations. But now a new explanation has emerged, one that suggests the speckling pattern on birds' eggs helps strengthen the egg shell.
For decades, a debate about why birds' eggs are speckled has focused on two possible explanations. But now a new explanation has emerged, one that suggests the speckling pattern on birds' eggs helps strengthen the egg shell.
Carotenoids Bolster Birds' Feather Color
In many species of birds, bright, colorful feathers serve as a signal of vitality and as a result the more vibrant birds often are more successful at attracting mates.
In many species of birds, bright, colorful feathers serve as a signal of vitality and as a result the more vibrant birds often are more successful at attracting mates.
Characteristics of Birds
Birds are vertebrates, which means that they are among those animals that posess a backbone. They range in size from the minute Cuban Bee Hummingbird (Calypte helena) to the grand Ostrich (Struthio camelus).
Birds are vertebrates, which means that they are among those animals that posess a backbone. They range in size from the minute Cuban Bee Hummingbird (Calypte helena) to the grand Ostrich (Struthio camelus).
Europe's Birds Threatened by Changing Climate
What threat does climate change pose for bird species throughout Europe? This question lies at the heart of a recently-released report, 'A Climatic Atlas of European Breeding Birds' published by a partnership between Durham University, the RSPB and Lynx in association with the University of Cambridge, BirdLife International and the European Bird Census Council (EBCC).
What threat does climate change pose for bird species throughout Europe? This question lies at the heart of a recently-released report, 'A Climatic Atlas of European Breeding Birds' published by a partnership between Durham University, the RSPB and Lynx in association with the University of Cambridge, BirdLife International and the European Bird Census Council (EBCC).
Feather Anatomy and Function
Feathers are a unique adaptation of birds. Feathers are made up of keratin, an insoluble protein that is also found in mammalian hair and reptilian scales.
Feathers are a unique adaptation of birds. Feathers are made up of keratin, an insoluble protein that is also found in mammalian hair and reptilian scales.
New Species of Bird Discovered in Northeast India
A new species of bird has been discovered in Northeast India—the first such discovery since 1948. The spectacular new bird, Bugun Liocichla, has an olive body, black cap, orange-yellow lore (the area between the upper bill and eye) and patches of yellow, crimson and white on its wings.
A new species of bird has been discovered in Northeast India—the first such discovery since 1948. The spectacular new bird, Bugun Liocichla, has an olive body, black cap, orange-yellow lore (the area between the upper bill and eye) and patches of yellow, crimson and white on its wings.
Pigeon Guillemot - Cepphus columba
Pigeon guillemots (Cepphus columba) belong to the auk family (Alcidae), a group of birds that includes guillemots, puffins, auklets, and murrelets.
Pigeon guillemots (Cepphus columba) belong to the auk family (Alcidae), a group of birds that includes guillemots, puffins, auklets, and murrelets.
Quiz: An Introduction to Birds
Test your knowledge of basic bird biology and classification by taking this online quiz.
Test your knowledge of basic bird biology and classification by taking this online quiz.
Quiz: Can You Identify These Birds?
Put your bird identification skills to the test in this quiz.
Put your bird identification skills to the test in this quiz.
The Evolution of Flight
The story of the evolution of flight is not one limited to birds. Flight evolved not only in birds, but also in insects and mammals.
The story of the evolution of flight is not one limited to birds. Flight evolved not only in birds, but also in insects and mammals.
Understanding Migration
Migration, like flight, is a phenomenon not limited to birds. In general, migration is the annual movement of animals between their breeding grounds and wintering sites. Migration occurs in response to changing seasons and is predictable and repeated each year.
Migration, like flight, is a phenomenon not limited to birds. In general, migration is the annual movement of animals between their breeding grounds and wintering sites. Migration occurs in response to changing seasons and is predictable and repeated each year.