The skies are filled with thousands of bird species (not to mention a few that prefer to stay on land), and each one has special adaptations, distinctive behaviors, and an evolutionary lineage that ultimately stems from the dinosaurs. With such a dizzying variety of our feathered friends — living and extinct — Live Science's expert science writers and editors have plenty to say about birds. Whether you're interested in sunbirds singing the same songs for a million years, explaining how crafty cuckoos trick other birds or ranking the biggest birds on Earth, you can find the latest bird news, articles and features here.
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Latest about Birds
Kākāpō: The chonky parrot that can live almost 100 years
This flightless nocturnal parrot is only found in New Zealand.
Japanese quail: The bird with weird sperm foam, a post-sex strut and a spot in space history
Male Japanese quails produce a strange seminal foam that appears to enhance the chances of successfully fertilizing an egg.
14 of the biggest birds on Earth
Reference From 9-foot tall ostriches to albatrosses with gargantuan wingspans, here are some of the biggest birds in the world.
Crows: Facts about the clever birds that live all over the world
Discover interesting facts about how crows remember faces, mimic human speech and more.
How do migrating birds know where they're going?
To navigate the skies, birds rely on a complex sensory tool kit.
Southern cassowary: The giant prehistoric bird with dinosaur feet
These large, flightless birds have powerful, muscular legs and tough, prehistoric-looking feet with claws that can deliver a powerful blow.
Australian 'trash parrots' have now developed a local 'drinking tradition'
Wild cockatoos in Western Sydney have learned to drink from water fountains — choosing to drink from them even if they have to queue.
Great eared nightjar: The 'baby dragon' bird that lays its eggs on the floor
Great eared nightjars live on the forest floor, remaining motionless throughout the day, camouflaged among leaf litter and tree stumps.
Birds have been nesting in the Arctic Circle for almost 73 million years, newly discovered fossils reveal
A major collection of more than 50 bird fossils found in northern Alaska suggest some ancient ancestors of modern birds learned to either adapt to the harsh Arctic winter, or migrate south during the Mesozoic — the age of dinosaurs.
