Birds

A kangaroo riffing on his air guitar, a sentient snowball, a face-planting seabird, a comically depressed owl and a twinkle-toed otter are among the funny, candid images that shone brightest in this much-loved, feel-good wildlife photography contest.

Despite studies showing pigeons are smart, they are perhaps more widely perceived as unintelligent 'rats with wings.' But now, scientists have demonstrated how these efficient learners solve problems just like artificial intelligence does.

When a bold male seabird threw caution to the wind to 'ride' a typhoon, it was the start of an 11-hour, 712-mile journey, taking him 15,000-ft higher and three times faster than usual. The bird survived and didn't lose any points off his flying licence.

It was only a matter of time, but highly pathogenic avian influence (HPAI) has officially found its way to Antarctica, after dead migratory brown skuas on Bird Island returned positive test results. This leaves just Oceania free of the deadly virus.

There are signs the next pandemic is already cooking up – bird flu. Scientists have now demonstrated that genetically engineering chickens can reduce their chances of catching and spreading the disease, but it’s not foolproof.

Technology has been very kind to bird lovers, with apps such as Merlin Bird ID allowing enthusiasts of all levels to easily identify their local feathered friends. Now, the BirdWeather PUC ups the ante to turn anyone into a global bird citizen scientist.

Almost 200 years on from when Charles Darwin observed his Galapagos Islands finches, which became the emblems of his theory of evolution, birds in the region are again in the news for what many scientists warn could be the source of the next pandemic.

One inconvenient truth for the clean energy industry – and a source of seemingly great concern to the fossil fuel lobby – is the indisputable fact that wind turbines kill birds. Researchers say smarter turbines could dramatically cut the toll.

The Bird Photographer of the Year has announced its 2023 competition winners. It's a stunning celebration of our fine feathered friends that captures birds doing what they do best and looking magnificent while doing it.

Back in August last year, Red7Marine joined a project led by Danish multinational Ørsted to design and install artificial nesting sites for threatened seabirds close to the Suffolk shoreline as part of the upcoming Hornsea 3 offshore windfarm project.

In 2009, one frisky bird put a spotlight on his extremely endangered species when he mounted a zoologist’s head and proceeded to show the world his best mating skills. Now, in another bold move, four of his flock are returning to New Zealand's mainland.

You've no doubt seen the metal spikes that are placed on buildings to keep birds from roosting. Well, it has been discovered that magpies and crows are actually using those spikes in their nests – appropriately enough, to keep other birds away.