Bird Populations Are Declining Widely. How Are They Doing Near You?
Across the U.S., the total number of birds has been dropping for 50 years. But new research shows that for many species there are pockets where trends are positive. Thanks to analyses at a finer scale than ever before, we can glimpse a silver lining that points the way toward more effective conservation measures. Learn what the trends mean for some of your favorite species, like Great Blue Heron and Red-tailed Hawk.
Watch: Mama Kestrel Does a Litle Jig to Keep Her Chicks Warm
In this clip, the female American Kestrel returns from a brooding break and covers her five nestlings (less than a week old in this video) by carefully shimmying over top of them. The chicks are now around 10 days old, and soon the female will stop brooding during the daytime. Watch the cuteness-filled clip, or check out the live stream.
Mystery bird by Matt Zuro / Macaulay Library; song recording by Roselevy Juárez / Macaulay Library.
What Bird Is This?
This small thrush of northern forests gets its name from its song: a spiral of descending notes that echoes wistfully through the forest, reminiscent of the sound of Pac-Man meeting a ghost 👻. The lighting in this photo shows off warm cinnamon-brown tones that extend from the head to the back, and the delicate spots on the throat that fade into a clean white belly. Do you know what species it is?
Eastern Wood-Pewee
by Marky Mutchler / Macaulay Library.
Meet Your Friendly Neighborhood Flycatchers
If you spot a small bird sitting bolt upright on a branch, think flycatcher! These energetic birds add pizzazz to any summer nature outing, and with nearly three dozen species in the U.S. alone, honing in on an ID makes for challenging fun. Our guide helps you quickly recognize the five main groups of flycatchers.
Pacific Loon
by Janine Schutt / Macaulay Library.
The Biggest Global Big Day Yet
Earlier this month, 1.8 million birders participated in Global Big Day, a 24-hour birding event organized by the Cornell Lab, documenting an all-time high of 7,931 bird species. Enjoy stories, photos, and videos from around the world with this Global Big Day wrap-up.
Bird News and Resources
Black Birders Week 2025 Starts Today: We always look forward to important and thought-provoking conversations at this annual, virtual event. See the event schedule.
Join Us at Pigeon Fest on the High Line in NYC, June 14: Come chat with Cornell Lab staff and learn about the Merlin app, bird-friendly actions you can take, and more! RSVP here; hope to see you there!
Sharpen Your ID Skills With Custom Quizzes: Our new bird identification learning game, BirdWise, adapts to your skill level. Try it now for free.
106 Species in One Alaskan Big Day: In our biggest conservation fundraiser of the year, Cornell Lab birders visited Alaska's Kenai Peninsula for a 24-hour birding marathon. Catch up on everything they saw and heard.
Recorded Webinar—Bird's of Alaska's Arctic:Highlights from the Lab’s Big Day in Alaska. Plus, filmmaker Gerrit Vyn shares breathtaking footage of arctic raptors along the Colville River, one of the most remote areas in North America. Watch now.
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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