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News
Britain has lost 73 million birds over the last 50 years
Most of the declining species are farmland birds.
12 May 2023 -
News
Bird flu outbreak spreads across West African migratory route
The bird flu pandemic has reached West Africa after being detected in Senegal and The Gambia.
26 April 2023 -
Science news
Hanuman plover makes a comeback as a species after 86 years
Named after a Hindu god, it is hoped that resurrecting the species will focus conservation attention on at-risk habitats.
17 April 2023 -
News
Beetles may have eaten dinosaur feathers and lived in their nests
The insects were frozen in time after being caught in amber, revealing rare evidence of how dinosaurs and insects interacted.
17 April 2023 -
News
Almost half of all UK bird species in decline
Bird populations in the UK continue to freefall as the government moves further away from achieving its own targets to protect nature.
14 April 2023 -
British wildlife
Spring is for nesting: How birds build nests
Spring is an important time of year for birds to get cracking laying eggs and raising chicks. But first things first they need to build their nests.
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News
Microplastics in seabirds linked with increase in illness-causing bacteria
Microplastics aren't just affecting large animals, they're also affecting microscopic species too.
27 March 2023 -
Science news
Plastic diet could be causing seabird chicks to shrink
The body mass of young shearwaters has deteriorated in just over a decade, with plastic consumption believed to be the most likely cause.
24 March 2023 -
News
Extreme snowstorms decimate Antarctic petrel nests
Climate change is thought to be responsible for bringing more extreme weather to the continent, which is exacerbating a long term decline in nest numbers.
13 March 2023 -
News
Bird flu kills thousands of South American sea lions as outbreak continues
An outbreak of bird flu has swept the world over the past year, raising fears that humans could become more vulnerable.
9 March 2023 -
British wildlife
Beginners birdwatching is not only good for you it also expands your world
The simple act of watching birds opens a window onto a whole other world right on your doorstep.
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Science news
'Plasticosis': a new disease caused by plastic that is affecting seabirds
A new disease has been described in seabirds, but it might just be the tip of the iceberg.
3 March 2023 -
Science news
European woodcocks have the brightest feathers known to exist
The underside of their tails have feathers that are whiter than any others ever measured.
1 March 2023 -
News
The largest ever penguin species has been discovered in New Zealand
Kumimanu fordycei weighed an estimated 150 kilogrammes, demonstrating that penguins became large early in their evolution.
17 February 2023 -
News
Dodo 'de-extinction' announcement causes conservation debate
While some argue de-extinction could help to restore damaged ecosystems, others believe it is an expensive distraction from the threats facing living species.
15 February 2023 -
News
Fossilised nests of the world's largest dinosaur discovered in India
More than 250 titanosaur eggs have been uncovered in India, revealing more about the lives of some of the largest animals which ever lived.
18 January 2023 -
British wildlife
Where do animals go during the long, cold, dark winter?
Winter is a time where many animals conserve their energy, fly south or grow a thicker coat.
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British wildlife
How to spot a starling murmuration this winter
Flocks of starlings form ever-changing, mesmerising aerial displays in autumn and winter.
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British wildlife
There's life among the dead: Wildlife in cemeteries
Left alone over time, many graveyards have become secluded sanctuaries where plant and animal life can thrive.
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Science news
The biodiversity crisis is making birds more similar
The days of the most distinctive bird species could be numbered as the most unusual forms bear the brunt of global extinctions.
21 July 2022 -
News
Penguins are some of the slowest-evolving birds in the world
The evolution of penguins has been laid out in unparalleled detail, revealing how they came into being.
19 July 2022 -
News
Prehistoric giant stork competed with 'hobbit' human relative for food
Measuring almost two metres tall, Leptoptilos robustus would have lived in a unique ecosystem which included the mysterious miniature human relative Homo floresiensis.
13 July 2022 -
News
Bird flu outbreak devastates UK seabird colonies
Thousands of seabirds are dropping dead from bird flu at some of the UK's most important seabird colonies.
28 June 2022 -
Science news
Invasive mice are pushing the Tristan albatross to the brink of extinction
A Critically Endangered species of albatross may be in more danger than previously thought.
21 June 2022 -
News
The first people in Australia likely feasted on the eggs of giant ducks
Genyornis newtoni may have become extinct after humans stole and ate its eggs.
27 May 2022 -
Science news
Mauritius' pink pigeon faces extinction threat from inbreeding
Another bird from the island of the dodo is in danger of becoming extinct, scientists have warned.
13 May 2022 -
British wildlife
Who's tweeting nearby? Take our birdsong quiz
Can you match these songs and calls to nine common British garden birds?
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Science news
Seabird declines threatening coastal nutrient supply
Over half of all seabirds have been lost in the past 50 years, seeing less of the nutrients vital to life moved from sea to land.
22 April 2022 -
News
Pterosaurs may have had coloured feathers similar to birds
The world's first flying vertebrates may also have been some of the biggest show-offs.
20 April 2022 -
Science news
Birds are officially more colourful closer to the equator
The tropics have long been perceived as being a riot of colour.
4 April 2022 -
News
Highest number of bitterns in the UK since the 1880s
The bittern, whose call is as loud as a jet taking off, is returning to areas of the country it hasn't been seen in for centuries.
25 March 2022 -
News
Lead ammunition poisoning Europe's birds of prey
Populations of raptors are over 50,000 birds smaller than they would otherwise be.
18 March 2022 -
News
Eagles in the USA poisoned by widespread lead pollution
Almost half of all American bald and golden eagles are being poisoned by lead.
18 February 2022 -
News
Fossils suggest dinosaurs could get ill from respiratory disease
The neck of a diplodocid shows evidence of a disease that still affects birds today.
10 February 2022 -
Tring
Taxidermy at Tring: how Walter Rothschild procured specimens for the Museum
Walter Rothschild acquired animals from all over the world to study and display at his museum.
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Collections
John James Audubon: creator of The Birds of America book
John James Audubon was a self-taught ornithologist and artist. He was also a contradictory figure.
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News
Thousands of birds killed amid 'biggest ever outbreak of bird flu in Britain'
The 'biggest ever outbreak of bird flu in Great Britain' has been blamed for killing thousands of birds across the UK.
6 January 2022 -
News
Shackleton's final expedition: Reuniting Quest's collection 100 years later
A century ago, the era of 'heroic' Antarctic endeavours came to an end as the Quest expedition made its way home.
5 January 2022 -
News
The world's largest eagle hunted unlike any other bird of prey
Scientists have discovered how a bird of prey dubbed 'the flying tiger' could take down one of the heaviest birds that ever lived.
1 December 2021 -
British wildlife
Wild parakeets in the UK: exotic delights or a potential problem?
Ring-necked parakeets are a spectacle to see and hear, but are they causing problems for native UK wildlife?
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News
Climate change could cause more animals to get divorced
Climate change could lead to an increase in break-ups as it puts pressure on the animal kingdom.
25 November 2021 -
News
Birds fake their own death to protect their nests
Birds will mock-up the scene of an attack to stop rivals from stealing their nest.
18 November 2021 -
News
600 million birds lost across Europe since 1980
There are over 600 million fewer birds in Europe than there were 40 years ago.
17 November 2021 -
News
Sharks, seahorses and seals found in River Thames' first full health check
Sharks, seahorses and smelt are among the residents of the River Thames revealed in a new report.
10 November 2021 -
News
California condors can have chicks through 'virgin births'
One of the world's most endangered birds can choose to have young without sex, it has been found.
8 November 2021 -
News
Breakthrough offers a lifeline for one of the world's most endangered birds
A breakthrough in why eggs from one of the world's most endangered birds fail to hatch could provide a lifeline for the species.
26 October 2021 -
News
Extreme weather from climate change could overwhelm bird eggs
Climate change could leave birds and their eggs unprepared for the extreme weather being thrown at them.
20 October 2021 -
News
Eagle reintroduction project cancelled despite widespread public support
The white-tailed sea eagle will not be reintroduced to Norfolk despite fully fledged plans and public support.
19 October 2021 -
News
One in five European birds at risk of extinction, report warns
Over 100 species of European birds are on the road to becoming extinct, a new report has warned.
14 October 2021 -
News
Birds, bat and fish among 23 species declared extinct by USA
The US government has announced that 23 species of American animals and plants are believed to have gone extinct.
4 October 2021 -
News
Fossils of ancient eagle that ate koalas discovered in Australia
A species of eagle that may have eaten ancient koalas over 25 million years ago has been described from Australia.
3 October 2021 -
News
Ancient humans were 'farming' cassowaries 18,000 years ago
Prehistoric humans may have 'farmed' cassowaries as early as 18,000 years ago.
2 October 2021 -
News
Endangered penguins stung to death by bee swarm in South Africa
Officials are investigating after over 60 endangered penguins were reportedly stung to death by bees.
20 September 2021 -
News
Guillemots dying in 'unprecedented' numbers off the UK coast
Concerns have been raised after reports of 'unprecedented' deaths amongst guillemots in the north of the UK.
17 September 2021 -
What on Earth?
Mutualism: eight examples of species that work together to get ahead
In nature, species will sometimes form unexpectedly close bonds and work to their mutual benefit.
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News
Wild cockatoos observed making their own tool kit for seed extraction
Wild Goffin's cockatoos have been observed to make their own 'cutlery' when setting down to eat a meal of sea mangoes.
15 September 2021 -
What on Earth?
Curious collectors and hoarders of the animal world
Because sometimes more is more.
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British wildlife
Pond life: facts about pond habitats, plants and animals
Ponds are crucial habitat for a great diversity of wildlife.
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British wildlife
How to make a bird bath
Birds need access to water year-round. Help them out by building a simple garden bird bath.
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Science news
Reviving the cold case of the Carolina parakeet extinction
Uncovering details about how the Carolina parakeet became extinct.
27 July 2021 -
Anthropocene
Snarge: the gruesome result of our holiday flights and why it's important to study it
As you're taxiing to the runway, spare a thought for what the impact of your flight might be.
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Science news
Offensive and inaccurate bird names should be changed, study says
In recent years there has a growing shift to change the common English names of birds that are offensive or inaccurate.
19 July 2021 -
British wildlife
Birdsong identification for beginners: 20 common songs and calls
Name that tune! Learn how to recognise the songs and calls of the UK's most common park and garden birds.
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British wildlife
Peregrine falcons are the top birds in town
Peregrine falcons have adapted to urban living, but what's the best way to see the fastest bird in town?
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Science news
Over four billion plastic particles found in beach sand of remote paradise island
Billions of plastic particles accumulate on remote islands mostly via sea.
16 April 2021 -
Science news
Hundreds of thousands of pieces of plastic are brought back onto land by seabirds
They bring on average 688,000 pieces of plastic back onto land every single year.
10 March 2021 -
What on Earth?
Best foot forward: eight animals that dance to impress
Meet some of the animals that bust out their best moves to attract a mate.
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Anthropocene
New Zealand's quirky kākāpō are pulled back from the edge of extinction
Specialised conservation work saves kākāpō from the brink of extinction.
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British wildlife
How to make fat balls for birds
Help your local wild birds to survive winter by putting out these nutritious fat balls.
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Science news
How invasive species are threatening precious island birds and plants
The decline in native birds is threatening the existence of island biodiversity.
2 November 2020 -
News
What 5,000-year-old penguin poo can teach us about climate change
Looking at the record of bird poo preserved for thousands of years could give us clue as to what might happen as climate change gathers pace.
23 October 2020 -
Anthropocene
How listening to birdsong can transform our mental health
Listening to some bird song can help improve our mental health.
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British wildlife
Meet the neighbours: eight surprising animals living in UK towns and cities
It's not just foxes, rats and pigeons in the concrete jungle.
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Anthropocene
Nature: liberated by lockdown?
What really happened to nature in 2020?
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British wildlife
Why road verges are important habitats for wildflowers and animals
They cover an enormous area of the UK and are home to many rare and declining wild plants, insects, amphibians and more.
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Science news
Bird evolution slowed down after the dinosaurs died
The skull shape of birds is just a tiny fraction of the diversity that would have been seen in their dinosaur ancestors.
18 August 2020 -
British wildlife
Barn owl (Tyto alba)
Find out about this ghostly silent, night-time hunter.
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Gilbert White: the modern naturalist
Gilbert White's talent and passion for observing and recording nature inspired many future naturalists, including Charles Darwin.
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Anthropocene
What are invasive species?
Invasive species are a much bigger threat to nature than many people realise.
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British wildlife
House sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Find out facts about this sociable bird.