Explore Birds

Two water birds rise up out of the water close together, a long reed held in one of the bird's beak wraps around their long necks as they twirl.
Our Favorite Fascinating Bird Behaviors From the 2023 ¸£Àû¼§ÊÓƵ Photo Awards
February 22, 2024 — From an extra hungry Great Blue Heron to a very determined Verdin, this year's selections once again provide a vivid glimpse into the lives of birds.
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A group of people stand in a suburban lawn all looking in the same direction with cameras and binoculars.
Birdist Rule #84: Know the Dos and Don'ts of a Rare Bird Stakeout
February 05, 2024 — When going for a vagrant, it’s important to remember that everyone is on the same team.
Birding Advice
How to Choose a Photography Workshop that Respects and Protects Birds
February 02, 2024 — These tips can help you get great pictures and keep the birds you love safe with a guide or group.
Photography Ethics
A round, fluffy-looking owl sits in a tree hollow in the falling snow.
How Do Birds Cope With Cold Winter Weather?
January 24, 2024 — From fluffing up to hunkering down, birds rely on these survival strategies when the temperature dips.
Bird Questions and Facts
Still from an animated film of three ducks flying over tree-covered hills.
The New Animated Film ‘Migration’ Draws Inspiration From Birds' Real Journeys
December 21, 2023 — Here’s what the Universal Pictures film got right (and wrong) about one Mallard family’s epic adventure.
Movies & TV
Two downy, white-and-gray Barred Owl chicks sit on top of a brick chimney, exquisitely framed by the rust-red metal cap that covers it. The owlets’ large black eyes peer out from their white, heart-shaped faces.
Cuddle up With These Ridiculously Cute Baby Bird Photos
December 19, 2023 — Our favorite chick pics from the 2023 ¸£Àû¼§ÊÓƵ Photography Awards feature familiar and secretive species at peak charm.
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Three flamingos wade in shallow blue water among plants.
Flamingo Fever, Limpkins on the Loose, ‘Mega’ Rare Terns—the Biggest Bird Events of 2023
December 19, 2023 — Birding highlights of a remarkable year included three U.S. firsts, a surprisingly happening Midwest, and, of course, flamingos everywhere!
Birding News
Three otters in the water eating the carcass of a pelican
River Otters With a New Taste for Pelican Are Changing a California Park’s Ecology
December 15, 2023 — Dramatic photos and video capture the semiaquatic mammals attacking Brown Pelicans in Point Reyes National Seashore, a behavior documented only once before but that is becoming increasingly common in the preserve.
Bird News
A colorful male wood duck flaps its wings rising up out of the water on a misty lake.
10 Fun Facts About the Wood Duck
December 13, 2023 — Discover what makes this dazzling duck a prolific nester and a master of woody swamps.
Bird Questions and Facts
Perfect Gifts for the Bird and Nature Lovers in Your Life
November 20, 2023 — Whether novice or expert, backyard birder or a globetrotting adventurer, we’ve got something for everyone on your list. Better yet: For many of these products, their purchase also benefits bird habitat.
Birding Gear and Apparel