Operation Migration

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Unlike many other birds that have an inherent sense of direction and destination, young Whooping Cranes have to learn their migration route from the adults. Enter Operation Migration and ultralight aircraft to lead them on their journey! Fortunately, the young cranes need to be shown the way only once. In early 2007, an entire generation of young cranes died due to a freak storm in Florida.
Learn more about this year's journey from Wisconsin to Florida at Operation Migration.org.

Paul Bannick Photographs the Great Gray Owl

A few years ago, Paul Bannick went to photograph the Great Gray Owl in Northern Minnesota. He writes: "I went out one morning before the sun had risen and found one owl that was in a particularly photogenic place. I watched that owl: where it flew to, where it perched, how did it come looking for prey, when was the sun on its face." Paul learned what the bird's habits were, and that give him the best chance to capture the image he wanted. Learn more about Paul's book, The Owl and the Woodpecker.

A New Year Dawns

Listen to the earth awaken, as dawn circles the globe.

Learn more about acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton, who recorded these sounds around the globe, at SoundTracker.

Jynx!

There is an element of luck in birdwatching. A birder may have a target bird so elusive that the bird becomes a kind of “jinx bird.” But there was a real bird by that name! The bird once called the “jynx” is known today as the Eurasian Wryneck. When a wryneck is threatened at its nest-hole, it twists its head like a snake and hisses. This behavior led to the wryneck being invoked in witchcraft to put a spell or a jinx on someone.
Get pictures of the birds featured in the week to come. Sign up for Weekly Preview.

Toucan - Tropical Icon

In the Amazon, a cacophony of birdcalls surrounds you. One piercing, cheerful yelp catches your ear. Could this be the same sound you remember from a Saturday morning in your childhood? The Cuvier’s Toucan could have been the inspiration for Toucan Sam, the “spokesbird” for Froot Loops™ cereal. Its huge bill is surprisingly light, and enables the bird to pluck fruit hanging from small, outer branches. It may also scare off potential predators. Travel with Audubon, and you may spot a Cuvier's Toucan!