Birds
A rapidly melting ‘Doomsday Glacier’ and a monstrous deep-sea fish: 6 of nature’s signals that could warn of the end of the world
Whether these signs are rooted in science (like the Doomsday Glacier) or simply popular myth, they have been associated with the end of the world – or at least life as we know it
It existed 800 years ago, was home to 100,000 people – and was powered by poop
New research suggests that seabird guano may have been one of the main driving forces behind the rise of Peru's Chincha Kingdom.
Why is oil so deadly for birds' feathers?
Oil spill incidents always involve birds being rescued and cleaned – but why is oil so damaging, and in many cases fatal, to birds?
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Weighing a tonne and packed with hundreds of rooms – each home to a family — it can house a staggering 500 households. Is this the ultimate apartment block?
It’s the heaviest, largest, most densely populated bird nest… that's been built and extended over decades
9 brutal photos of the world’s most powerful bird that can rip monkeys and sloths from branches
These incredible images reveal the power and brutality of this extraordinary eagle
11 ferocious vulture photos that demonstrate the power and brutality of life for these scavenging predators
These striking images highlight the brutal (yet essential) behaviour of vultures
11 deadliest females on the planet: Discover some ferocious female animals that you wouldn't want to mess with
'For the female of the species is more deadly than the male' – here are our top 11 deadliest females that prove just that.
“It can make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up”
The call of a whooper swan is one of winter's most atmospheric sounds, says naturalist and author Ben Hoare.
It’s the size of a soccer pitch and is home to 1,000 adorable penguins – and the world’s most southerly post office
Known as the ‘penguin post office’, Port Lockroy is a former British military base-turned-research station
They're tiny. They're fast. And they're very deadly. Meet 10 smallest birds of prey on the planet
You might think birds are all big with huge wingspans - but think again...
Scientists went into an ancient cave in New Zealand and found a 'lost world' hiding within
Fossils of birds and other animals unearthed from the cavern provide a "missing volume" in New Zealand’s natural history, say researchers.
Australian officials declared war on this giant bird after it destroyed crops. But even machine guns couldn’t stop it
In 1932, Australia declared war on 20,000 emus – and lost. This is the incredible story of the Emu War
“We may get close someday.” Genetic engineers are working to bring the dodo back from extinction – and it may save existing wildlife on Mauritius
Back in 2022, the dodo's genome was sequenced from a DNA sample. Now the company trying to resurrect the long-extinct flightless bird is working with Mauritian conservationists to restore habitat ready for eventual re-wilding.
“The resilience is extraordinary.” A gosling chick must plunge 400 feet down a rocky cliff – just hours after being born
In tense footage captured by the BBC, a barnacle gosling must leap from a cliff edge to its parents below. Will it make it?
Caught, plucked, and kept ALIVE: Does this deadly predator take ruthlessness to a new level, inflicting a fate worse than death on its prey?
Do Eleonora’s falcons cach migrant birds alive to eat later?
Villagers in Mozambique talk to birds to help them hunt. How they do it is amazing
In an astonishing parallel to how human language evolves, communities in Mozambique use different ‘dialects’ to coordinate cooperation with wild birds.
“It will perish.” A penguin chick has a lucky escape from being crushed to death. Then disaster strikes
In footage filmed for the BBC's Penguins: Meet the Family, a chick gets separated from its parent – will they reunite?
10 jaw-dropping eagle moments captured in photos and film that reveal the brutal hunting behaviour of this powerful bird of prey
Discover the raw power of this striking bird, as well as the fierce clashes it will endure to ensure a meal
Gigantic 10ft-wide raptors released in Patagonian mountains
The Andean condor is the largest raptor in the world and can live for up to 70 years.
“It seemed like a matter of urgency – who knew if these sounds would be accessible to me if I put things off for another year?”
Progressive hearing loss prompted a memorable quest to absorb nature’s calls and choruses
“Imagine committing fratricide before you can walk.” This parasitic birds lays its eggs in the nests of other species
Does a cuckoo know it's a cuckoo? The answer is more difficult than you might think, explains Richard Pallardy
It’s the most numerous bird on Antarctica and charges at predators with flailing flippers – but what species is this cutie?
How big are Adélie penguins? What do they eat? Learn all about these charismatic birds in our expert guide.
Why is a group of crows called a murder?
Wondered why a group of crows earned the rather dark title of 'a murder of crows'? Mike Toms explains how this strange collective noun came about
It once numbered in the millions and even blocked out the sun – so why did the passenger pigeon suddenly become extinct?
All you need to know about the passenger pigeon, including why this once abundant bird went extinct