Birds

They'll attack lambs, prey on puffins and they aren't scared of you – meet the true thugs of the skies

Great skuas have been painted as villains, but is there a sweeter side to these predatory brutes? Here's all you need to know
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What is the slowest bird?

Contenders, ready! Stuart Blackman ponders which bird would win the slow race of the skies
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Moseley's (or northern) rockhopper penguin guide: how to identify, where they leave and what they eat

Distinguished by its vibrant yellow crest, this penguin is a small, agile bird that thrives on the rugged, rocky islands of the sub-Antarctic region.
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Chinstrap penguin guide: where they live, what they eat and key predators

A fascinating glimpse into the lives of animals that not only survive but flourish against the odds
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Why is bird poo white, rather than brown like most poop?

Just why is bird poo white? Mike Toms explains
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10 reasons why you should never - EVER - date a birder

On paper a birder might sound like a great date, with a love of the natural world, but don't be deceived, says Dixe Wills, as all might not be as it seems...
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“I was awestruck from the moment I first saw it to the moment I finished assembling the skull and brain”

Evolutionary biologists say a "one-of-a-kind" fossil discovered in Brazil could transform our understanding of how the unique intelligence of modern birds evolved.
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Birdwatching world in shock as strange songster from the Americas turns up in English village

Hundreds of birders have flocked to a sleepy village in the county of Yorkshire to see to the colourful Scarlet Tanager.
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Southern rockhopper penguin guide: how to identify, what to eat and why they can jump

A look at the smallest penguin species...
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Pilots just flew poison-carrying drones over a remote island in French Polynesia – for one very good reason

Their mission? To see the Polynesian storm petrel return to its island home for the first time in more than a century.
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Smallest birds in the world: discover 10 tiny feathered wonders

Birds vary enormously in size and shape. The ostrich can grow up to 9ft tall. But what about at the other end of the spectrum? Here are the world’s 10 very smallest birds.
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"It's illegal to kill most songbirds in the EU, but the legislation is hardly worth the paper it's written on... It’s scandalous on every level"

It’s utterly ridiculous that EU funds spent on expensive bird conservation programmes in some countries are completely wasted because the very same birds are later killed, illegally, in other countries, says Mark Carwardine.
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Fossil of giant, 3 metre tall, flesh-eating 'terror bird' found in Columbia - and scientists think something even bigger killed it

The fossil was discovered among the otherworldly sand formations of the Tatacoa Desert.
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A new rocket-launch facility has just been approved in Australia. Here's what that means for local wildlife

The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex in South Australia has just received its final planning approvals – conservationists say the decision puts local wildlife in the firing line.
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Galápagos penguin guide: how to identify, what they eat and how they survive in the heat

Discover their unique characteristics and their role in the Galápagos ecosystem
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By strapping tiny 'backpacks' on the backs of hummingbirds scientists hope to uncover the secrets of these marvellous mini flyers

As scientists plot to bring back the dodo, Helen Pilcher asks whether we should - and what would happen if we did

Meet the world's deadliest-ever eagles, including a 18kg raptor that terrified New Zealanders until its extinction in the 15th century

For a time, humans may have been on the menu for giant, killer eagles that soared over New Zealand, Australia, and Africa.
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Do birds have knees? Why do they look so strange?

Do birds have knees? Why do they look like they are on backwards? Ben Garrod explains
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Humboldt penguin guide: where they live, what they eat and how they got their name

Explore the lives of these fascinating creatures...
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Back from the dead: Scientists plot to resurrect the passenger pigeon - but should we really bring it back just because we can?

Can we - and should we - bring passenger pigeons back? Helen Pilcher investigates
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32 extraordinary bird facts: Discover incredible truths from the avian world, including a bird that likes to get drunk

Impress your friends and family with your newfound bird knowledge.
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What is the strongest bird in the world? Meet the avian champion weightlifters

We take a look at the world's strongest birds
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