Macaulay Library photos (L to R) by Michel Gutierrez, Steven Mlodinow, and Ryan Merrill.
Strong Sparrows: The Adaptable Species That Can Thrive Almost Anywhere
Think fast: which one of these birds is a Song Sparrow? Don't worry if you hesitated...because they all are! With 25 recognized subspecies, the Song Sparrow is one of the most diverse bird species in North America. See how birds from different places have developed distinct traits that can help them thrive in their specific environments.
Awkward! Watch A Growing Albatross Preening
Growing a new set of feathers requires constant attention, including preening off downy feathers to make way for the the new feathers "waiting in the wings" 😉. Watch as the young Northern Royal Albatross on the Royal Cam in New Zealand does her best to keep her plumage in tip-top shape.
Mystery bird by Zak Pohlen / Macaulay Library.
What Bird Is This?
With a body full of white feathers, this bird reads as an egret at first. But look again: the bill and feet are not any combination of yellow and black, as they would be on Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Cattle Egrets. The juveniles of this species spend their first summer in plumage quite unlike the subtle blue-gray of their adult counterparts. Do you know the name of this young wading bird?
With a little knowledge you can turn the dog days of summer into birdy days. Take a peek at what's keeping birds busy at the hottest time of the year, check out our suggestions on what to look for on your summer birding excursions. Read the story.
Anna's Hummingbird by
Barabara Swanson / Macaulay Library.
Watch: How To Keep Birds Cool
A source of water for drinking and bathing, particularly if it’s moving water, acts like a bird magnet. Enjoy watching all the ways birds use water as you learn what makes a water source especially attractive to birds.
Bird News and Resources
Upcoming Webinars:
Identifying Fall Warblers with Eric Ripma. Learn to ID 48 species of warblers in this two-hour workshop. August 21 or 23—See registration page for times.
Leaving Our Fall Gardens with Doug Tallamy.September 9 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Register.
In Case You Missed It: Check out an archived webinar introducing Avilist, the new global unified checklist of birds. Watch now.
Project Phoenix: Studying Smoke. If you live in the western U.S., you can help scientists learn more about birds and wildfire smoke—it takes just 10 minutes a week. Beginner birders are welcome! Learn more.
Attend a Bird Festival: Festivals are a great way to enjoy birds and meet like-minded people. See our bird festival directory.
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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