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Bird news, features and articles

A small white bird with a black head spreads its wings against a blue sky
A forester's tern in flight. (Image credit: Stan Tekiela Author / Naturalist / Wildlife Photographer via Getty Images)

The skies are filled with thousands of bird species (not to mention a few that prefer to stay on land), and each one has special adaptations, distinctive behaviors, and an evolutionary lineage that ultimately stems from the dinosaurs. With such a dizzying variety of our feathered friends — living and extinct — Live Science's expert science writers and editors have plenty to say about birds. Whether you're interested in sunbirds singing the same songs for a million years, explaining how crafty cuckoos trick other birds or ranking the biggest birds on Earth, you can find the latest bird news, articles and features here.

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A still from a video of a cockatoo drinking from a water fountain at a park while two other cockatoos wait on a fence

Australian 'trash parrots' have now developed a local 'drinking tradition'

By Olivia Ferrari published

Wild cockatoos in Western Sydney have learned to drink from water fountains — choosing to drink from them even if they have to queue.

Birds
(left) A portrait photo of the great-eared nightjar, (right) A great-eared nightjar perched on a branch viewed from a low angle.

Great eared nightjar: The 'baby dragon' bird that lays its eggs on the floor

By Lydia Smith published

Great eared nightjars live on the forest floor, remaining motionless throughout the day, camouflaged among leaf litter and tree stumps.

Birds

Birds have been nesting in the Arctic Circle for almost 73 million years, newly discovered fossils reveal

By Jesse Steinmetz published

A major collection of more than 50 bird fossils found in northern Alaska suggest some ancient ancestors of modern birds learned to either adapt to the harsh Arctic winter, or migrate south during the Mesozoic — the age of dinosaurs.

Birds

Do parrots actually understand what they're saying?

By Marilyn Perkins published

Parrots are prolific vocal learners. But do they actually understand the words they say?

Birds

Bird quiz: How much do you know about our feathered friends?

By Laura Geggel published

Don't duck out on our bird quiz! Do you have a bird brain or are you as sharp as a raptor?

Birds
a hoatzin bird leaping in the air with blue sky background

Hoatzin: The strange 'stinkbird' born with clawed wings that appears to be an evolutionary 'orphan'

By Lydia Smith published

This weird blue-faced, red-eyed bird smells so bad predators won't eat it.

Birds
Emperor penguin chicks take their first swim in Atka Bay, Antarctica

'Secrets of the Penguins' will take penguin observations 'to another level,' executive producer James Cameron

By Ben Turner published

A three-part documentary on penguins' hidden lives will reveal a number of never-before-seen moments. Here's what executive producer James Cameron said about what to expect.

Penguins
a picture of a red and black parrot

Dracula parrot: The goth bird whose piercing screams echo through New Guinea forests

By Lydia Smith published

Pesquet's parrot, also known as a Dracula parrot, resembles a vulture and has a distinct scream — but its favorite food is figs.

Birds

Great potoo: The 'tree stump' bird with a haunting growl and can see with its eyes closed

By Lydia Smith published

Throughout the night, great potoos emit a loud, moaning growl that has earned the bird a mythical status, with some communities believing the sounds to be children calling for lost parents.

Birds

Why don't all birds fly?

By Clarissa Brincat published

Why don't some birds, like penguins, ostriches and kiwis, take to the skies?

Birds
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