BirdNote

06/18/2026

In the spring, Rufous Hummingbirds journey from Mexico to the northwest U.S., some as far north as Alaska! That’s almost 1,000 miles one way for a bird measuring just under four inches beak to tail, making this the longest migration of any bird relative to body length. Not long after arriving, they bulk up on nectar and bugs for the scenic return trip over the Rocky Mountains.

Rufous Hummingbird © Charles Gates
Image Description: Rufous Hummingbird hovering in place, bronze body shining, wings a blur.

After one journey, hummingbirds prepare for another.

06/17/2026

White-tailed Kites are distinctive birds of prey. They only live in a few states in the US, but they’re common in grasslands throughout much of Central and South America where they hunt for rodents and small prey. Though White-tailed Kites are globally abundant, they still face threats from habitat loss across the Americas. We can support these graceful raptors by preserving the grasslands they call home.

White-tailed Kite © Greg Lavaty
Image Description: A White-tailed Kite flying against a blue sky with wings positioned at the end of a downbeat.

06/16/2026

Planeando en silencio sobre la tierra con sus amplias alas negras, los buitres casi no necesitan presentación. Los conocemos como el equipo de limpieza de la naturaleza, alimentándose de animales mu***os y en descomposición. Una serie única de adaptaciones les permite a buitres como este zopilote común darse un festín con alimento que no es opción para muchos otros organismos. Además, parecen tener un sistema inmunológico extraordinario. Para ellos —y para muchas otras formas de vida— una de las claves para entender su lugar en la naturaleza es comprender su relación con los demás elementos de su entorno.

Descripción de la imagen: Vista de perfil de un zopilote cara negra.
Zopilote cara negra (Coragyps atratus) © Paul Williams

06/16/2026

When Juan Pablo Culasso spends time outside, he often encounters people thinking he doesn’t belong out there as a blind person – despite the fact that he’s a renowned nature recordist. He helped design nature trails in Colombia with features that make them more accessible for people who are visually impaired, including guide ropes with textures that signal points of interest and QR codes that provide info. But Juan Pablo says these are not simply trails solely for blind people to enjoy — “we need to share the same places in society,” he says.

Colombian rainforest © najarich
Image Description: A wide view from above of a rainforest in Colombia, vivid green tree tops stretching to the horizon of hills and clouds

Nature recordist Juan Pablo Culasso on making parks and trails more inclusive.

06/15/2026

Did you know birds can tell us a lot about the health of an ecosystem?

From raptors soaring above the Tetons to songbirds hidden in sagebrush, birds help us better understand the connections between wildlife, landscapes, and people.

This summer, join Teton Science Schools at The Murie Ranch Front Porch: Concerts & Conversations, where scientists, conservationists, musicians, and storytellers explore the ideas shaping the future of wildlife and wild places.

Teton Science Schools is all about connecting people, place, and nature through education. Learn more and view the full summer lineup at tetonscience.org.

06/15/2026

American Oystercatchers are crow-sized shorebirds that can be found foraging in intertidal zones along the US Atlantic shoreline and both coasts of Central and South America. Their bodies are mostly black and white, except for bright yellow eyes and a long, orange bill. Sadly, researchers estimate that between 1970 and 2023, American Oystercatchers lost roughly half their population to habitat degradation, human disturbance, and predation by mammals. We can protect shorebirds by giving them space on shared beaches, keeping domestic pets indoors or on leash, and cutting fossil fuel emissions that drive climate change.

American Oystercatcher © Grigory Heaton
Image Description: An American Oystercatcher walking on the beach.

06/14/2026

Rock Pigeons are one of the most common urban birds. But why do we never see baby pigeons? Some baby birds — like down-covered ducks, geese, and chickens — leave their nest shortly after hatching and do a lot of growing up while following their parents around. Others, like pigeons, depend on their parents to feed and protect them, well into their youth. They stay in the nest — under bridges and awnings, for instance — until they're nearly as big as the adult birds.

Rock Pigeon © Mark Coates
Image Description: Juvenile Rock Pigeon

Ever seen one? Maybe you have and don't know it!

06/13/2026

Despite their modern reputation, pigeons were once beloved by royalty. Akbar the Great, ruler of the Mughal Empire in the 16th Century, kept over 20,000 pigeons. Owning pigeons in parts of Europe was a privilege restricted to the nobility. Pigeon ownership became a flashpoint during the French Revolution, when commoners finally gained the right to raise pigeons. Learn more in Rosemary Mosco’s book "A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching".

Pigeons © Rich from Hamilton
Image Description: Group of pigeons standing close to each other, showing their grey bodies, whitish wings and iridescent green and purple head and neck feathers.

A “lowly” bird once beloved by the nobility.

06/12/2026

The Juan Fernandez Firecrown is a critically endangered hummingbird that is only found on Robinson Crusoe Island, near Chile. Measuring more than 4 inches long from beak to tail, the firecrown is hefty for a hummingbird. To conserve energy while feeding, the birds often hang upside down on flowers rather than hovering in place! As they feed, the hummingbirds transport pollen between forest flowers. Deforestation and invasive species have driven this bird close to extinction, but conservation organizations are actively working to save it and restore its natural habitat.

Juan Fernandez Firecrown © Gerald Hiam
Image Description: A side-by-side image of male and female Juan Fernandez Firecrown hummingbirds. The male is mostly coppery brown while the female is mostly white and green.

06/11/2026

In American democracy, elected officials work for the people. That means you can be a voice for birds by reaching out to your representatives at every level of government. On the Bring Birds Back podcast, Hardy Kern explains how the American Bird Conservancy is taking legislative action for birds. Listen to the full episode in season 8 of Bring Birds Back.

Lesser Prairie-Chicken © Liam Wolff
Image Description: A Lesser Prairie-Chicken in a display posture against a grassland background.