The hottest Ornithology Substack posts right now

Birds played a significant role in the lives of enslaved men and women, representing forced labor but also providing opportunities for food, freedom, and sometimes even companionship.
Slaves often engaged in hunting birds to feed the plantation, showcasing exceptional skills to provide food for the masters, while being deprived of the best game themselves.
Enslaved Africans developed their own ornithology, understanding and relating to birds in unique ways that went beyond mere exploitation, showcasing a complex relationship with the natural world.

Birds in extreme cold mimic predator calls for safety.
Birds like finches and woodpeckers adapt feeding behaviors in cold weather.
Surviving extreme cold for birds involves huddling together and conserving energy.

Bushtits are small, cute birds commonly found in woodlands.
Bushtits build nests with the help of other adult birds in a cooperative manner.
Research has shown that over a third of bushtit nests have multiple helper birds, resembling a kindergarten setup.

Before pesticides, birds were valued by farmers for their role in controlling bugs on crops, and economic ornithologists calculated the precise worth of each bird in dollars.
The Bureau of Biological Survey was established to study the economic impact of birds on agriculture, shifting focus to quantify the benefits and drawbacks of various bird species on crops.
Studies conducted by economic ornithologists resulted in a widespread belief in the economic significance of birds in pest control, but the field eventually lost credibility as pesticides and modern agricultural practices took over.

The American Ornithological Society is changing bird names named after controversial figures to be more inclusive and reduce offensive associations.
The decision to change bird names may lead to confusion among birders about identifying species.
Organizations like the Kirtland's Warbler Alliance are grappling with financial and awareness impacts due to the naming decision.

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Sometimes a glimpse of nature, like seeing rare birds, can be surprising and surreal.
Birds can be both thieves and marvels, from stealing hats to dancing in the sky.
Observing and learning from the birds and wildlife around your home can bring unique and magical experiences.

Shorebirds like sandpipers and plovers are vulnerable due to their small size and need to forage constantly for survival during migration.
Stopover sites for shorebirds, like fluddles, are threatened by human activities like monoculture farming practices.
Efforts are being made to preserve and monitor wetlands like fluddles to provide vital habitats for shorebirds and support their migration journeys.

Birds face significant threats from collisions with buildings, resulting in the death of millions of birds each year.
Historically, various structures such as lighthouses, telegraph wires, and buildings have been responsible for causing bird fatalities, spanning over 200 years.
While skyscrapers and towers have the most dramatic effect on bird fatalities, most birds die from collisions with low-rise buildings and residences, highlighting the need for bird-safe design practices.

Great Lakes Piping Plover population saw a significant increase last year
Wider beaches and habitat availability contribute to Piping Plover success
Optimism for new nesting sites and pairs of Piping Plovers in the upcoming season

The Eskimo Curlew faced extinction due to industrial-scale hunting and habitat destruction in the late 19th century, despite efforts for protection coming too late.
Eskimo Curlews were marathon migrants, making a challenging journey from the Arctic to South America and back, facing significant hunting pressure along the way.
The disappearance of the Rocky Mountain locust and destruction of the prairie grasslands contributed to the rapid decline and extinction of the Eskimo Curlew population.