Category: Everyday

You might be surprised to learn that birds are sun worshippers too! But their sunbathing rituals are more than just leisurely lounging. Recent studies have uncovered fascinating secrets behind this peculiar behavior exhibited by over 50 bird families.

When people all but vanished from cities during Covid-19 lockdowns, how did urban birds react to this human-free environment? Researchers from Tel Aviv University and Hebel Normal University used acoustic recorders to monitor the behavior of birds in the deserted streets and parks of Tel Aviv. The results might surprise you. See which birds decreased their activities when parks were empty and which flocked to this altered urban landscape.

After living free in New York City’s Central Park for more than a year after escaping the zoo, celebrity owl Flaco suffered fatal injuries after flying into a window, and his fans mourn his loss.

Last February, a Eurasian Eagle Owl named Flaco escaped from his Central Park Zoo enclosure. Though the zoo tried recapturing the apex predator, Flaco thrived after adapting to life freely roaming Central Park. Dubbed a local celebrity, he has flourished in 2023 venturing through the park and at times into Manhattan neighborhoods. Despite initial worries, Flaco demonstrated resilience making New York City his enduring home this past year since his dramatic escape. See how Flaco’s celebrity continues to grow, including having his likeness adorning city artwork, t-shirts, and more.

Chicago’s rippling Aqua Tower’s pioneering bird-safe design steers migratory birds to safety through angled geometry and etched glass barriers. See how new designs aim to transform urban architecture to help guide birds away from window collisions.

The tropical green jay, a brightly plumed bird normally at home in Southern Mexico and parts of Central America, now appears to be on the move to the north to Texas. As winter weather softens with climate shifts, San Antonio and other Northern Texas towns have become welcoming new habitats. Such Northward movements may become more commonplace as weather patterns continue redrawing range maps. As researchers track shifting boundaries, one certainty persists – with weather patterns in flux, bird populations appear to recalibrate suitable living spaces.

Danish firm Ørsted constructs offshore “birdscrapers” with observation blinds to monitor struggling species like the kittiwake up close. Their sci-fi seabird sanctuaries showcase compassionate environmental innovation.

The American Ornithological Society made a momentous decision – renaming over 70 North American birds to remove honorific references to controversial historical figures. Motivated by rising awareness of harmful biases, the AOS will eliminate commemorative common names that may perpetuate exclusion.

After three agonizing years apart, a missing African grey parrot was finally reunited with his owner in France – all thanks to one miraculous stroke of luck and an unexpected connection. Learn the heartwarming story of Jako’s unbelievable journey and how this chatty African grey parrot seemed gone forever until a surprise encounter brought hope. This extraordinary tale reminds us to never lose faith, even against the longest of odds. Read on to learn how Jako defied everything to ultimately squawk his way back home.

Male palm cockatoos in the wild put on an elaborate musical show to attract mates, reveals a fascinating new study. These charismatic Australian parrots perform an energetic mating dance while vocally serenading females. But the real surprise comes when they drum up attraction by spontaneously fashioning and playing seed pod percussion mid-boogie.

Even the most dedicated birders have that one elusive species that manages to evade detection time and again. Referred to as a “nemesis” bird, this frustrating feathered foe repeatedly thwarts sighting attempts. While finding a nemesis bird can become an obsessive pursuit, overcoming these challenges is an achievement. As we explore stories of birders grappling with their trickiest adversaries, you may discover you have a nemesis awaiting challenge.

When wildfires recently raged around Maui’s Bird Conservation Center, staff bravely worked through the night to protect the facility’s precious avian residents. As flames encroached within 150 feet, staff utilized hoses and extinguishers to safeguard the center, home to many of Hawaii’s rarest birds. See how their quick action and dedication averted a potential tragedy for endangered species like the Hawaiian crow, and the Kauaʻi creeper songbird).

The mysterious Kākāpō parrot teeters precariously close to extinction, with less than 250 left on earth. Now, scientists have cracked their genetic code, hoping DNA secrets can help save the species. By sequencing their genome, researchers gain insights to boost breeding and outsmart disease. But will unraveling the Kākāpō’s DNA be enough to pull it back from the brink? Learn how genetics is transforming conservation efforts for these quirky green parrots and other endangered species.

Hummingbirds might be small, but they are certainly mighty when it comes to their feats of flight! You might be familiar with their zooming around plants and trees, but did you know that they also use those rapid wing beats to take them on migratory journeys of up to 2,000 miles?! Learn how you can help hummingbirds during their fall and spring migrations, including the right type of nectar to offer and the nectar to avoid, and how tracking hummingbirds in your area can assist research in migratory patterns, plus more.

The beautiful glossy black cockatoo, native to Australia, is threatened by habitat loss, and its population has declined significantly in recent years. Author Jodie McLeod has written a children’s book that aims to raise awareness of the plight of the glossy black cockatoo and encourage readers to take action to protect this vulnerable parrot species. Her book, The Black Cockatoo With One Feather Blue, tells the story of a young glossy black cockatoo with a unique blue feather.

The Odisha police department, which is in India’s eighth-largest state by area and 11th by population, has a special communications unit like no other—a squad of 149 carrier pigeons to help keep the lines of communication open between police stations. These feathered messengers have proven clutch during natural disasters or other weather extremes, which are relatively frequent in this region of the world. Learn how this feathered police unit came to be, as well as how government feuds over funding threaten its existence.

This month’s Lafeber Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight takes us to Australia, where the Difficult Bird Research Group (DBRG) is working to help conserve four at-risk parrot species: the orange-bellied parrot, the swift parrot, the superb parrot, and the palm cockatoo. See what makes each of these parrot species unique and what puts them most at risk, as well as learn more about DBRG’s work.

Central Park’s most famous hawk resident has passed away at age 32. Pale Male, aptly named by a bird watcher who noted his unusually light-colored head feathers, had been a park fixture since his park arrival in the early 1990s. Not only was Pale Male different from other hawks for opting to construct a nest on a building rather than in a tree, but he is also credited as the “father” of New York’s urban-dwelling red-tailed hawks. Read more about the hawk that was a welcomed sight to New Yorkers and inspired many to take up birding.

May 4 is “Bird Day” and is credited as being the oldest avian holiday. Let it be a reminder to take a moment to be in awe and appreciative of the birds around us, and learn of ways to help our local wild bird populations.

One lucky cockatiel’s love for a Billy Joel song helped reunite him with his owner. See the unusual spot where this cockatiel, aptly named Joel, landed and how he made his way back home.

This month’s Lafeber’s Global Parrot Conservation Spotlight takes us to Costa Rica, where the locals, who refer to themselves as “Titos” are deeply driven to protect their native lands and animals, including the majestic Great Green Macaw. Learn how María Elena Munguía Jiménez, a volunteer with the Macaw Recovery Network (MRN) sparked the idea of growing almond trees, which are crucial to the macaw’s survival, and how women rangers now oversee a network of nurseries with the goal of raising 7,000 trees by mid-2024.

The month of March has some interesting lesser-known National Designation Days that seem especially apropos for pet bird enthusiasts. See what lesser-known holidays you can celebrate with your feathered companion this month!

A 12-year-old from Australia has taken the initiative to help save the dwindling habitat of glossy black cockatoos from further land development. Spencer Hitchen, an avid photographer, has campaigned to stop new construction that impacts an expanse that contains some 70 she-oak trees, the cones of which offer an essential food source for glossy black cockatoos. Hitchen’s Change.org petition, currently has 75,159 signatures out of 150,000 and he has a Facebook page to help raise awareness.