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.
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Wings of the Amazon: The Macaw Society’s Living Chronicle
In the treetops of Peru’s Amazon, The Macaw Society is documenting the fragile lives of Red-and-green and Scarlet Macaws—revealing how long-term research, community partnerships, and quiet persistence protect the rainforest’s most vivid sentinels.
The Ornithologist
Why Some of Our Articles Are Behind a Paywall
We understand that running into a paywall can be frustrating – especially when you’re genuinely curious about the story behind a headline. But here’s why we do it. The Ornithologist is a completely independent publication. We have no advertisers, no corporate backers, and no hidden agenda. Every article we publish – from deep dives into conservation breakthroughs to the latest in bird science – is carefully crafted to be accurate, insightful, and accessible. This takes time, research, and col
The Ornithologist
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.
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Harriers in the Crosshairs: The Uneasy Fate of the UK’s Hen Harriers
Despite decades of legal protection, the Hen Harrier remains one of the UK’s most persistently persecuted birds of prey—its recovery entangled in a complex web of land use conflict, illegal killing, and stalled conservation policy.
The Ornithologist
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.
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Instinct vs. Experience: Steppe Eagles Learn to Migrate Safely
A new study shows that young Steppe Eagles are drawn to human-altered landscapes during migration, while adults avoid them – revealing how instinct, experience, and learning shape survival strategies in an endangered raptor.
Gyorgy Szimuly
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.
4 posts
Three decades of action for migratory waterbirds – AEWA’s landmark role in turning science into cross-continental conservation
For 30 years, the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement has helped safeguard migratory species across continents—through rigorous science, international policy, and hands-on recovery efforts.
Gyorgy Szimuly
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
4 posts
The Sanctuary in the Sidewalk: Trees Rescue Birds in Mexico’s Cities
Even in the heart of a city, a tree can be a sanctuary for birds. A new study from Mexico reveals that urban trees do far more than provide shade – they offer critical nesting and foraging habitats for native species under pressure from habitat loss elsewhere.
The Ornithologist
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
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
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.
2 posts
Engineering Elegance: The Paradise Riflebird As Nature’s Most Theatrical Engineer
With a wave of his wings and the snap of a feather, the Paradise Riflebird transforms the rainforest floor into a stage. Recent research reveals that this avian dancer doesn’t just display beauty – it performs biomechanics at its evolutionary peak.
The Ornithologist
