Birdwatching
Bird sightings, migration, identification, field guides, optics, garden birds and conservation for curious and experienced birdwatchers.
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This reading list brings together items from the sources selected for Birdwatching. Open each item at its original source for the complete article, episode or video. This is a selection of current coverage, not a complete archive.
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Flyin' in the Rain
Most birds are mostly waterproof. Their feathers, aided by oil from preen glands, keep them pretty watertight. So why do birds avoid flying during rainstorms? It may have more to do with the air than with the water. Rainstorms tend to occur when atmospheric pressure is low. Air in a low-pressure system is less dense. But it’s dense air that gives birds the aerodynamic lift they need to take wing. Falling rain and high humidity make air even less dense. Many birds perch and wait out a storm. Afterward, birds once again take to the skies.
Nature-Based Solutions Play Key Role in Improving New Mexico’s Climate Resilience
New Mexico is the fourth most biodiverse state in the country, but prolonged drought, high wildfire risk, decreased snowpack, and longer, hotter summers are straining habitats and water supplies. As
Driving Impact and Action Together at Climate Week NYC
From a morning of birding in Central Park to discussions on clean energy, conservation careers, and the future of nature, birds provided a common thread throughout Audubon’s Climate Week NYC
Where Swallows Go in Winter
Through all of spring and summer, swallows dart and sail overhead, their airborne grace a wonder to behold. But by October, the skies seem empty. Most swallows have flown south, in search of insects. The eight species of swallows that nest in the U.S. — including the Cliff Swallow — migrate south to Central or even South America. Watch for them again next spring!
October eBirder of the Month Challenge
October Big Day is just around the corner! This month’s eBirder of the Month Challenge, sponsored by ZEISS, invites you to join the worldwide celebration by going outside for birds on Saturday, 10 October.
The Nēnē Survived Near-Extinction. Can It Survive Modern Hawaiʻi?
In December 2023, at a luxury resort on the Island of Hawaiʻi, three nēnē goslings hatched on a manicured green lawn. Within 72 hours, two were dead. One was found lifeless in a pond, and the
Birding with passion!
“Through the Lens” Fujingahou Magazine, October 2026 Photos and text by HIH Princess Takamado Photo edited by Koichi Fujiwara (NATURE’S PLANET) Edited by Yuki Masuda (Fujingahou) English version prepared by BirdLife International. (This English version is provided for reference only and does not constitute an official version) This June, I travelled to North and… Source
Questions That Get Kids Curious About Nature
Brianna Amingwa is a birder, environmental educator, and mom of two bird-loving boys. In this episode, Brianna shares one of her favorite, tried-and-true techniques for sparking curiosity with kids outside. This easy activity has a funny name: INIWIRMO. It’s an acronym for I Notice. I Wonder. It Reminds Me Of. INIWIRMO works by inviting kids and adults to turn each phrase into a statement about something they observe in nature.
Win a Free Spot in the Cornell Lab's Bird Photography Course
Do you want to take better photos of birds? Whether you’re a beginner or expert photographer, the Cornell Lab’s Bird Academy has developed a course to help you take the best photos with the gear you’ve already got. We’ve partnered with Bird Academy to offer this exciting educational resource in thanks for your eBirding.
Can conservation finance itself? A Paraguayan enterprise is exploring new possibilities in the Atlantic Forest
In southern Paraguay, that question takes shape within one of the last major remnants of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest, a landscape that, against all odds, still stands. San Rafael is a Key Biodiversity Area that shelters 440 bird species, 7 of them found nowhere else in the region. It regulates water for downstream communities; stores carbon accumulated over centuries and provides habitat… Source
2026 Audubon Conservation Ranching Bird Monitoring Results in the Rockies
Audubon Rockies and the skilled team of wildlife biologists from Precision Wildlife Resources hit the road in 2026 for another year of avian monitoring on ranches that have earned Audubon’s
Birds as Teachers: Inclusive Education for Bird Conservation Through Community, Culture, and Nature
Birds have a unique ability to spark curiosity and inspire learning, especially among children. In Colombia, Audubon has harnessed that potential to help young people discover birds, understand their
Bird Conservation Director Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe Honored for Exceptional Environmental Stewardship
STRATFORD, Conn. – Audubon Connecticut congratulates Director of Bird Conservation Corrie Folsom-O'Keefe on being named the 2026 recipient of the Terry Backer Environmental Champion Award
Nature Cannot Be “Overshot”: BirdLife Partnership Demands Urgent Action on UN Climate Warning
The recently launched landmark Limiting Overshoot report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) warns that current policies and targets are projected to result in 2030 emissions substantially above levels required for 1.5°C-consistent pathways. Our global community must therefore navigate an “overshoot, peak, and decline” pathway. The longer the overshoot, the greater the risks of irreversible… Source
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow
In Lafayette Park in St. Louis, Missouri, a dozen or so Eurasian Tree Sparrows from Germany were released. But unlike other introduced species such as the similar-looking House Sparrow, they did not spread very far and remained in a limited area in the Midwest. It’s not fully clear why, but it’s possible that they just behave differently. And the aggressive House Sparrow may have helped prevent the tree sparrows from spreading further by competing for the same nesting sites.
Prairie Pastured Beef to Carry the Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Land Seal
RUDOLPH, WISC. (September 29, 2026) — The National Audubon Society announces that Flaig Family Farm, home to the Prairie Pastured Beef business owned and operated by Carl Flaig and his family near
Bird-Friendly Lighting Tips for Your Home
Each spring and fall, the night skies above North America fill with billions of migrating birds. Hundreds of millions of them pass over the Southwestern United States.Many of these birds use stars
Birding 101: Where to Find Birds
There’s no wrong place to search for birds — looking out the window and listening for calls and songs is a great place to start. But you might be curious where else to look. In this episode, get a few quick tips on good places to find birds.
Which Bird Has the Most Feathers?
In general, the bigger the bird, the higher the number of feathers. Someone counted the feathers on a Tundra Swan and came up with 25,216. At least 80% were on the swan’s neck. Penguins, on the other hand, have lots of small feathers all over their bodies. The largest species is the Emperor Penguin, and one project counted around 80,000 feathers on a single bird. That’s nearly sixty per square inch – keeping the penguin insulated and waterproof in harsh climates. But the most feathered creature ever? It may have been a dinosaur!
Great Horned Owl Family in Autumn
Compared to many birds, Great Horned Owls remain with their parents a long time. They hatched in early March, from eggs laid in late January. By April, both parents were hunting through the night to feed their young. But for the last two weeks, the adults have not fed the young. The owlets have learned the skills they need to hunt for themselves. And any night now, the young owls will strike out on their own.
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