The upper limits of our atmosphere pose extraordinary challenges for living creatures - freezing temperatures, dangerously thin air, and intense UV radiation create an environment more hostile than ...

Arguably no bird in history has received such bad press as the Magpie, associated with evil, mistrust, bad luck and dubbed a thief. The rhyme “One for Sorrow, Two for Joy” determines whether a person ...

The Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) is one of America’s most eye-catching songbirds. One of seven Oriole species in the US, these colorful birds delight birdwatchers yearly when they return to feed ...

The Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) is the UK’s commonest breeding bird, with an estimated 11 million breeding pairs. This sweet, diminutive bird has an elaborate and exuberant song that ...

The cheerful image of a red-breasted robin perched in the middle of a snowy winter scene is a popular theme on many a Christmas card. Robins may well be the first bird that comes to mind when we think ...

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is the epitome of speed and power. They strike fear into the hearts of the birds they hunt, a fact that falconers have enjoyed for over 3000 years! These ...

Herons are large, striking birds from the Ardeidae family that contains some 64 species. Herons, bitterns and egrets belong to the same family and are all wading birds with long legs, necks and bills.

The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) is a very familiar waterbird that can be seen in every state in the continental United States. They were also introduced to the United Kingdom in the 17th century, ...

The Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) is an abundant migratory waterbird that visits the United States every winter. Many American birdwatchers will be familiar with the sight of these white and black ...

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is America’s national bird and one of the most recognizable avians in the world. These large and distinctive white-headed sea eagles occur near salt and ...

Owls have a reputation as fearsome hunters and deadly predators. The great horned owl and the barred owl are commonly included in the worlds most dangerous birds. But owls are alternatively depicted ...

Teeth play a fundamental role in the digestive system of a human, chewing food into pieces small enough to be swallowed and pass out of the stomach. But without teeth, how do birds process any large ...