Hawk Fledglings Take to the Skies!

The young Red-tailed Hawks on our Cornell Hawks cam have fledged and are now exploring the Cornell campus alongside their watchful parents. Relive the excitement of their first flights and learn what comes next for the young hawks! 

Tail plumage variation among multiple Red-tailed Hawk subspecies. Photos courtesy of Nicole Richardson / Red-tailed Hawk Project.

Not All Red Tails Are Created Equal

Red-tailed Hawks are named for their coppery tails, but the color and patterning of their plumage varies widely across North America’s 16 subspecies. Discover how researchers are uncovering the mysteries behind the broad diversity of this widespread raptor.

Hairy Woodpecker Holds Its Own at Busy Feeder

This Hairy Woodpecker had his hands full while tying to carve out space at the suet feeder on the Cornell Lab FeederWatch Cam. Watch him tussle with European Starlings and Common Grackles in between bites of suet before he finally cedes his position.  

Rose-breasted Grosbeak by Robert McNab / Macaulay Library.

An Expert's Tips for Bird Photography

One of the most challenging aspects of taking bird photos is learning how to get close without disturbing your subject. Here are four strategies from photography pro Melissa Groo to help you gain an audience with birds.

A Bigger Basket for the Royal Cam Albatross Chick

Since hatching at barely 10 ounces on January 28, the Northern Royal Albatross chick on our live cam has grown to over 17 pounds! When DOC rangers made a routine weight check to monitor the chick’s progress toward fledging, they found they needed a bigger basket. Apparently her parents are doing a great job providing food!