BirdNote Daily

Some bird-lovers have tagged the Marsh Wren the "Heinz 57 variety" bird, because scientists have recorded 57 different variations of its song. And nightfall doesn't faze these birds. A male may sing straight through the night. Marsh Wrens usually forage out of view, hopping up only for brief moments. You're most likely to see only movement among the cattails. It's just one of many species to...

Marbled Murrelets are secretive little birds that spend most of their lives at sea — but they breed in redwood forests! While North America’s remaining redwoods are protected in parks, predators are moving in. Stellar’s Jays and Common Ravens are just two opportunists that thrive on our food that human visitors leave behind. And once they’ve eaten our leftover trail mix, their next meal may be a...

By moving from the faster high air to slower low air, or vice versa, an albatross can propel itself forward. In a series of sinuous loops, the albatross surfs the wind, up and down, repeating the pattern over and over again as it moves thousands of miles across the ocean. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get...

Adriaan Dokter is an aerial ecologist who designs tools to study how birds migrate. On the Bring Birds Back podcast, Adriaan traces his fascination with flight back to an early experience with common birds. Listen to the full episode here and on your favorite podcast app. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get...

Some ducks don't sound like ducks at all. Some — like the Harlequin — squeak. Harlequins are unique in other ways, too. Quick and agile in rushing white water, they dive to the bottom of mountain streams for food, and use fast-flowing rivers for breeding. If you're lucky enough to spot a Harlequin Duck, you may guess how it got its name. Dressed in vivid multi-colored patches, "harlequin" is the...

Hummingbirds use their long tongues to sip nectar from flowers. They’re able to roll their tongues into a tube-like shape. Since the 1800s, scientists thought those tongues worked through capillary action, like how water instantly rises into a straw in a full cup. But when scientists spent years using slow-motion cameras to capture hummingbirds drinking in greater detail, they uncovered a...

By carrying more people in a single vehicle, mass transit can use less energy than cars. Taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can help the hundreds of bird species put at risk by climate change. Not to mention, you can do a little birding on the commute – on the way to the bus or train stop, and on the ride itself. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe...

Helmeted Guineafowl are known for moving in frantic flocks, often running and squawking about. In their native range – from Senegal to South Africa – these chicken-sized birds are favored prey of wild cats and Martial Eagles, so they need to be alert! Because they’re also spooked by unfamiliar people, guineafowl are often employed as burglar alarms on farms. More info and transcript at...

When a Northern Saw-whet Owl spreads its wings, many birds can see something our human eyes can’t: the owl’s flight feathers glow with ultraviolet light. It’s invisible to humans without the help of a UV blacklight. While the glowing feathers on parrots might help them attract mates, the reason for the owls’ glowing feathers still isn’t clear. However, scientists realized that they could estimate...

Although the American Crow may seem indifferent about pillaging another bird's nest, they regard a threat to their own young as a punishable offense. To protect their nest, adult crows dive-bomb people, cats, other animals, and even other birds. Young crows fledge when they are around five or six weeks old, and their parents continue to care for them for months. More info and transcript at...