Ducks belong to the Anatidae family, which contains some 174 species spread across 43 genera. With their broad and stout body, large beaks and webbed feet, ducks are a common and recognisable sight ...

Teeth play a fundamental role in the digestive system of a human, chewing food into pieces small enough to be swallowed and pass out of the stomach. But without teeth, how do birds process any large ...

The Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a bird species that has long been held in awe for its incredible migrations between the North and South polar regions. Amazingly, recent studies have shown that ...

There are six species of swans distributed throughout every continent except Africa and Antarctica. Swans are some of the most majestic and elegant birds around, and they’re also exceptionally large, ...

We’ve all seen those romantic photos, with a pair of loved-up swans forming a perfect, symmetrical heart shape with their long necks. Pairs are said to form strong bonds, but is that true for all ...

Vultures are highly sociable birds found on most continents of the world - excluding Australia and Antarctica. Most of the time, vultures are spotted as a collective unit, so what is the collective ...

Budgies – or budgerigars to give them their full official name – are sociable and fascinating birds, also known as parakeets in some countries. Although native to Australia, they are kept as pets all ...

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is the epitome of speed and power. They strike fear into the hearts of the birds they hunt, a fact that falconers have enjoyed for over 3000 years! These ...

The American robin (Turdus migratorius) is a familiar sight on lawns across the country, but have you ever wondered whether young American robins are born with the iconic red breast? Or if not, how ...

“Female peacocks” is an oxymoron. Peacocks are male peafowl, and peahens are female peafowl. There’s no such thing as a “male peacock”! Nevertheless, peafowl have come to be known simply as peacocks.

The Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) is an abundant migratory waterbird that visits the United States every winter. Many American birdwatchers will be familiar with the sight of these white and black ...

The plumage of some birds changes noticeably during the course of the year, with bright feathers becoming temporarily drabber once the breeding season is over. By the following breeding season, the ...