Where Birds and Science Take Flight
The Ornithologist is an independent online magazine dedicated to birds, research, and conservation—bridging science and storytelling to inspire a global audience. Publication image is by Piotr Pogoda. All rights reserved
Farewell to Solstice: The Last Stewart Island Kākāpō Passes Away
Solstice, the final female kākāpō originally from Stewart Island, passed away in Dunedin after several months of treatment for cloacitis – a recurring disease that has claimed several individuals in recent years. Her death has resonated deeply among conservationists who have followed her story for nearly three decades. First discovered in 1997, Solstice was found against all odds – years after her species had been declared locally extinct on Stewart Island. At that time, the last known kākāpō h
Gyorgy Szimuly
In Defence of Bird Conservation in a Broken World
When the world feels fractured beyond repair, speaking about bird conservation can sound almost indulgent. Yet in the quiet persistence of those who still care, a truth endures: to protect the living fabric of the Earth is not a luxury. It is an act of survival — and of humanity.
Gyorgy Szimuly
News
Stay informed with the latest bird-related headlines from around the world. The News section brings you timely updates, short communications, rediscoveries, rare sightings, policy changes, and conservation breakthroughs—curated from both scientific sources and field reports. Whether it’s a vagrant appearing far from home, a forgotten species nesting again, or an urgent threat to habitat, this is where fast-moving stories in the bird world are told.
Farewell to Solstice: The Last Stewart Island Kākāpō Passes Away
Solstice, the final female kākāpō originally from Stewart Island, passed away in Dunedin after several months of treatment for cloacitis – a recurring disease that has claimed several individuals in recent years. Her death has resonated deeply among conservationists who have followed her story for nearly three decades. First discovered in 1997, Solstice was found against all odds – years after her species had been declared locally extinct on Stewart Island. At that time, the last known kākāpō h
Gyorgy Szimuly
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North America’s Bird Declines Reveal a Global Conservation Blind Spot
Common species are the backbone of ecosystems, yet new research shows they are declining at a scale that reshapes the conservation challenge. If familiar birds disappear, the loss will be both ecological and cultural — and it may already be happening faster than we think.
Gyorgy Szimuly