Video still by Ariel Cabrera Foix / Macaulay Library.
WATCH: A Dazzling Collection of Video Highlights
Escape for a few minutes and immerse yourself in the world of birds. We scoured the more than 41,000 video recordings from all seven continents that were uploaded to the Macaulay Library in 2024, and chose 21 favorites. Then we packed the most interesting, beautiful, and exciting moments into a compelling three-and-a-half-minute highlight reel. Enjoy!
Mystery bird by Brendan Fogarty / Macaulay Library.
What Bird Is This?
With bizarre looks and unique behavior, this forest-dwelling shorebird is a sign of early spring across eastern North America. Its long bill is specialized for feeding on earthworms; its large, wide-set eyes enable it to see danger above and even behind; and its mottled, leaf-brown pattern blends with the forest floor. Search at dusk in fields bordered by woods to catch its amazing courtship flight: the male spirals skyward on twittering wings, then plunges to the ground, finishing the display with an enthusiastic peent!Do you know the bird?
Yellow-rumped Warbler by Liron Gertsman / Macaulay Library.
Which Birds Are Already on the Move?
Spring migration is underway! Loads of blackbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl are already on the move—and warblers won't be far behind. To help you visualize the amazing phenomenon of nocturnal migration, the BirdCast Migration Dashboard is now live: U.S. residents can search by county to see how many birds moved through their area last night and what species they were likely to be.
Giant Hummingbird by
Hugo Hulsberg / Macaulay Library.
Discovering a Giant Hummingbird Odyssey
The world's largest hummingbird—about as big as a bluebird(!)—is actually two species, one of which migrates half the length of South America and climbs up to 13,000 feet in a matter of weeks. Experience the thrill of scientific discovery in this article from Living Bird magazine.
Image from Cornell Lab Bird Cams
WATCH: Barred Owls Are Back!
Who cooks (up fun highlights) for you all? The Barred Owl Cam is back and the owl couple seems ready to raise a family—and the roof! Check out this action-packed clip which includes a prey delivery (crawfish) and energetic vocalizations from both female and male.
Bird News and Resources
Great Horned Owl Cam Is Back, Too! The owl pair at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Texas welcomed their first egg on Thursday. Watch live!
Inspiring Stories: Bringing Back Barn Swallows: See how one conservationist helped resurrect a long-abandoned colony in an old barn with just a few simple actions.
Calling All Teenage Birders! Apply now to be a part of the Young Birders Event in late July, held at the Cornell Lab's headquarters in Ithaca, New York. Applications are due by March 16. Get more details and apply.
Attend a Bird Festival: Festivals are a great way to enjoy birds and meet like-minded people. See our bird festival directory.
Join Our Flock, or Spread Joy to a Loved One: By becoming a Cornell Lab member, you'll support our conservation work, free resources like Merlin and eBird, and you'll receive our award-winning quarterly magazine, Living Bird. Join today or give a gift membership.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a membership institution dedicated to interpreting and conserving the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds.
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