In the home stretch of 2025, the Cornell Lab is feeling thankful for the countless people and organizations around the world who support our shared mission of protecting birds and biodiversity. Thank you.
In Search of the Northern Cassowary was made for this month's COP 30 United Nations climate change conference in Brazil. Image by Mathieu Bally / Macaulay Library.
Watch: In Search of the Northern Cassowary
This secretive giant on the island of New Guinea holds a key to the future of one of the world's largest intact tropical rainforests. Watch the short film In Search of the Northern Cassowary and join a team of local experts attempting to document a bird that few people ever encounter. Watch now.
The Forgotten Forest: The New Guinea rainforest is the third largest in the world, and it's missing from the global conservation conversation. Learn why this forest matters so much for people and birds, and how the Cornell Lab is playing a part in sustaining it.
Merlin by N KC / Macaulay Library.
The Magic of Merlin: A Brief History
In a little over a decade, the Cornell Lab's Merlin Bird ID app has gone from a wild idea to a worldwide phenomenon, giving millions of people a chance to connect more deeply with the birds around them. How did it all happen? Read the story.
Kentucky Warbler by Graham Gerdeman / Macaulay Library.
Watch: Protecting these 5 Forests Will Help Safeguard the Songs of Spring
The Five Great Forests of Mesoamerica comprise an area about the size of Virginia, but they play an outsized role in the life cycles of dozens of migratory birds that we find each spring and summer in the forests and backyards of North America. Get an insider's look at why these areas in Mexico and Central America are indispensable for helping bring back birds across the hemisphere.
Walk leader Adé Ben-Salahuddin regards an "early" bird. Photo by Nicholas St. Fleur.
Mystery bird by Ryan Sanderson / Macaulay Library.
What's This Bird?
This bird's name often confounds birders—it seems like a misnomer! But in this image, the often-obscured, eponymous field mark is clearly visible. Do you know the name of this dapper duck?
Image by Sheryl Sinkow.
Our 2025 Annual Report
What does the future look like for the Cornell Lab? In an urgent time for conservation, Lab director Ian Owens says our role is to step up and be bold. See how we're pushing the boundaries of what a conservation nonprofit can do.
Bird News and Resources
Short Film—Islands of the Hornbills: Watch a new film documenting spectacular hornbills across Indonesian Borneo and Papua. As "farmers of the forest,” these birds (like the cassowaries, above) help sustain the third-largest rainforest in the world.
Practice Bird ID and Stay Cozy: Have you tried BirdWise? Bird quizzes tailored to your region, interests, and skill level. Try it out and stay warm and bird-informed through the holidays.
Which Binoculars Are Right for You (Or Your Loved One)? With the gift-giving season approaching, dig into our comprehensive reviews of affordable optics in three different size categories.
Attend a Bird Festival: Festivals are a great way to enjoy birds and meet like-minded people. See our bird festival directory.
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