Conservation
Discover the frontline of bird conservation—from endangered species recovery and habitat protection to policy interventions and local success stories. This section highlights efforts around the globe to safeguard avian biodiversity, featuring the challenges, breakthroughs, and people shaping the future of bird conservation.
5 posts
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A Life in the Tundra: Honouring Dr. Shiloh Schulte’s Final Fieldwork
Following the sudden loss of Dr. Shiloh Schulte, we honour his legacy through the work he helped lead in Arctic Alaska. This four-year survey of breeding shorebirds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge reflects his deep commitment to science, fieldwork, and the fragile birds he championed.
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.
4 posts
Breeding and Life-cycles
Dive into the reproductive strategies and life stages of birds — from courtship displays and nest building to egg laying, chick development, and parental care. This section explores the diverse breeding systems, seasonal cycles, and survival challenges birds face throughout their lives, offering insight into how life begins, unfolds, and is sustained in the avian world. Photo by Deborah Bifulco.
3 posts
Movement and Distribution
Follow the journeys of birds across continents and oceans. This section covers the science of migration, including navigation, stopovers, flyways, and the physiological demands of long-distance travel. From seasonal shifts to daily movements, we explore how and why birds move, what influences their routes, and how tracking technologies are unveiling their remarkable journeys in greater detail than ever before.
3 posts
Tracked for the First Time: How Juvenile Egrets Disperse Across Australia – and Beyond
A pioneering study uses GPS telemetry to map the early dispersal of great and plumed egrets from the Macquarie Marshes, revealing striking differences in their movement strategies and vital clues for wetland conservation.
The Ornithologist
Routing the Journey: Loop vs. Direct Migrations of East Asian Songbirds
Tracking ringed birds with miniature geolocators reveals distinctly different migration strategies: clockwise loop migrations in Narcissus Flycatchers and direct routes in Amur Stonechats – highlighting evolutionary, ecological, and conservation implications in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.
The Ornithologist
Evolution and Taxonomy
From feathers to flight, speciation to song, the Evolution section explores how birds became what they are today. We cover the latest research on avian phylogeny, genomic change, trait development, and adaptive radiations—bringing clarity to the origins and diversification of bird life across deep time. Whether it’s a newly resolved lineage or a genomic insight into migration, this is where bird evolution takes shape. Tag image credit: © John J. Harrison, All rights reserved
3 posts
Born in Isolation: The Australian Origin of Songbirds
Oscines – true songbirds – make up nearly half of all bird species alive today. A new study confirms that their evolutionary roots trace back to Australia, offering powerful new insight into one of the greatest radiations in avian history.
The Ornithologist
Editorial
Our Editorial section offers reflections, insights, and perspectives on the evolving world of ornithology. From thought-provoking commentaries to magazine updates, this space invites readers to engage with the broader vision and purpose behind The Ornithologist, while challenging conventions, sparking dialogue, and bridging science with society. Expect timely, honest, and occasionally provocative viewpoints. Photo by Tara Swan.
2 posts
The Winter Legacy of Tata: An Interview with Dr László Musicz
Over four decades of monitoring have revealed a quiet revolution in the skies above the Old Lake of Hungary. As the Tundra Bean Goose retreats, the Greater White-fronted Goose has taken its place – and the implications ripple across Europe.
Gyorgy Szimuly
Ecology and Behaviour
Discover how birds interact with their environment and each other. This section explores habitat use, feeding strategies, social structures, breeding systems, migration patterns, and vocal communication. From territorial disputes to cooperative parenting, Ecology and Behaviour reveal the intricate ways birds adapt, survive, and thrive in a changing world. Photo by Dave Katz @tenacityinpursuit
2 posts
Avian Biology
Explore the inner workings of birds — from feathers and flight to metabolism and reproductive strategies. This section delves into the anatomy, physiology, and evolutionary traits that define avian life, making sense of what sets birds apart in the animal kingdom. Whether you're curious about lungs, beaks, or bone structure, Avian Biology uncovers how birds are built to thrive.
1 post
Fieldwork and Technology
Explore the evolving world of bird research from the ground up. The Fieldwork section highlights methodologies, tools, and real-world challenges of studying birds in the wild—from survey techniques and equipment to field ethics and innovation. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or an aspiring observer, this is where practice meets purpose in the open air.
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