Articles for tag: Birds, Papua New Guinea

Why One Texas Town Declared War on Buzzards (and Lost)

Why One Texas Town Declared War on Buzzards (and Lost)

Annette Uy

It’s a battle you wouldn’t expect in the heart of Texas. Imagine waking up each morning to the ominous sight of hundreds—sometimes thousands—of black vultures circling overhead, their shadows sweeping across your backyard, their talons gripping rooftops and water towers. In one small Texas town, this haunting vision became a daily reality. What started as ...

new emperor penguin colonies

Discovering New Emperor Penguin Colonies from Space

Andrew Alpin

The discovery of new emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica marks a significant advancement in wildlife research. Using satellite mapping technology, scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have located previously unknown colonies, bringing the total known emperor penguin colonies around Antarctica to 66. This discovery is notable as half of these colonies have been identified ...

The Incredible Bird with Sunflower Eyes

The White-crested Helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus) is a small, social bird known for its distinctive white crest and striking appearance. It belongs to the family Vangidae and is native to sub-Saharan Africa. Taxonomy and Classification The White-crested Helmetshrike falls under the order Passeriformes and the family Vangidae. Its scientific name is Prionops plumatus, which highlights its ...

Puffin Day: How Puffins Use Tools and Form Lifelong Bonds

Puffin Day: How Puffins Use Tools and Form Lifelong Bonds

Jan Otte

Imagine a bird with the intelligence to use tools and the heart to form lifelong bonds. Enter the world of puffins, the charismatic seabirds that are full of surprises. Known for their colorful beaks and waddling gait, puffins are more than just adorable creatures; they are fascinating subjects of study in animal behavior. Their ability ...

Crows Hold Funerals—And Sometimes Bring Gifts to Humans

Crows Hold Funerals—And Sometimes Bring Gifts to Humans

Annette Uy

Have you ever wondered if animals grieve like humans do? Imagine a scene where crows gather solemnly around a fallen comrade, their dark feathers shimmering in the sunlight, as if they are mourning. This isn’t a figment of a storyteller’s imagination; it’s a fascinating reality. Crows, the intelligent birds often associated with mystery and magic, ...

The Battle to Save the Hawaiian Crow: A Bird With a Tool Belt

The Battle to Save the Hawaiian Crow: A Bird With a Tool Belt

Annette Uy

Imagine a bird so clever it crafts its own tools, a feathered genius whose very existence teeters on the edge of extinction. The Hawaiian crow, or ‘Alalā, isn’t just another pretty bird in paradise. It’s a symbol of intelligence, resilience, and the fierce struggle against the odds. Once a vibrant presence in Hawaii’s forests, this ...

What Modern Flightless Birds Can Tell Us About Feather Function in Dinosaurs

What Modern Flightless Birds Can Tell Us About Feather Function in Dinosaurs

Annette Uy

Imagine a world where enormous creatures roamed the earth, their bodies adorned with feathers that fluttered in the prehistoric breeze. Dinosaurs, majestic and mysterious, have captured our imagination for centuries. But what if the answers to some of our questions about these ancient beasts lie not in fossils, but in the living, breathing birds of ...