A new evolutionary analysis suggests the behavior appears across many bird groupsUrban estuaries are dynamic environments where rich biodiversity intersects with intense human activity. Among these, the New York–New Jersey Harbor stands as an emblematic case demonstrating how urbanized natural habitats can still harbor ecological treasures. This estuary is famously home to the largest breeding population of colonial nesting wading birds in the northeastern United States, including species such as herons, egrets, and ibises. Recent long-term scientific monitoring has revealed concerning trends about the health of these bird populations, highlighting larger ecological shifts that may have profound implications for the entire harbor ecosystem.
The NYC Bird Alliance recently conducted an extensive 22-year longitudinal study to analyze population dynamics of these key avifauna. Over more than two decades, the data showed an overall decline in the populations of colonial nesting wading birds by 27%. This rate of decline is notably faster than the average reductions observed across North American bird species generally, indicating specific environmental challenges within this urban estuary that may be accelerating population losses. Significantly, while some species such as the Great Egret and Snowy Egret expanded their numbers during this period, the Black-crowned Night Heron—the most abundant wading bird in the harbor—faced a dramatic 55% decline.
The Black-crowned Night Heron is more than just a symbol of the harbor’s avian biodiversity; it is a crucial sentinel species whose population trends can reveal much about the overall health of the estuarine environment. As a top predator that interacts extensively with other species and habitats within the harbor, declines in the Night Heron population suggest potential disruptions in food webs, water quality, or habitat integrity. Researchers warn that if current population decrements continue unabated, the species could be extirpated from the region as early as 2037, a timeline that underscores the urgency for targeted conservation interventions.
Understanding why the Night Heron population is falling so precipitously requires a multifaceted scientific approach. Factors likely include habitat degradation due to urban development, pollution, changes in prey availability, and increasingly frequent disturbances linked to climate change. Urban estuaries like the New York–New Jersey Harbor face compounded stresses from stormwater runoff laden with contaminants, artificial lighting affecting bird behavior, and noise pollution disrupting their natural activities. These anthropogenic pressures can cumulatively decrease reproductive success, increase mortality, and force birds into suboptimal habitats, thereby contributing to population declines.
The study conducted by the NYC Bird Alliance leveraged rigorous bird count surveys and habitat assessments to illuminate these population trends with robust statistical support. Employing standardized point counts and nesting colony monitoring over the 22-year period enabled researchers to detect not just population decreases, but also differential success across species. For instance, the observed increase in Great Egret and Snowy Egret numbers may be linked to their adaptability to altered habitat conditions or differential foraging behavior that buffers them against some environmental pressures. Conversely, the Night Heron’s specialized nesting and feeding requirements might render it more vulnerable to habitat degradation.
This research offers crucial insights into the ways human urban ecosystems can still sustain wildlife—but also how delicate these balances are. It demonstrates that conservation action, when informed by early detection of decline, can be effective. “Conservation action works, and our discovery of this decline while this bird is still plentiful will allow us to prevent their local extinction,” stated Dustin Partridge, PhD, corresponding author of the study. He further elucidates that the Black-crowned Night Heron serves as a “modern day canary in the coal mine,” signaling ecological distress in the estuary that may ultimately affect broader environmental and human health dimensions.
The role of the Black-crowned Night Heron as a top predator ties it intimately to the estuarine food web, influencing species from fish to invertebrates, and linking to the aquatic and terrestrial interfaces. Its decline could presage changes in fish populations or water quality issues that have wider ecological and socioeconomic repercussions. The health of waterways that foster these bird populations also correlates with cleaner water for human communities, recreational opportunities, and fisheries sustainability. Therefore, maintaining and restoring habitat quality for these birds aligns closely with human well-being in the urban context.
Looking back historically, the resurgence of nesting wading birds in the New York City region roughly 50 years ago was heralded as a key indicator of environmental recovery following decades of pollution and habitat loss. This turnaround was in large part due to concerted investment in water quality improvements under the Clean Water Act era, wetland restoration, and enhanced protections of wildlife areas. The current declines, however, indicate that such success might be reversed without renewed commitment. The findings urge stakeholders, from policymakers to urban planners and conservation groups, to intensify efforts ensuring resilient estuarine ecosystems through habitat restoration, pollution reduction, and disturbance minimization.
Beyond the species-specific findings, this study contributes to urban ecology by illustrating the complexity of balancing human development with biodiversity conservation in densely populated regions. Urban estuaries are crucial interfaces that provide ecosystem services like water filtration, storm buffering, and carbon sequestration. The interplay of human infrastructure and natural habitats demands innovative conservation strategies that integrate ecological planning with urban management. This research advocates for adaptive management frameworks that respond to ongoing monitoring data, enabling prompt mitigation of identified threats before species reach critical population thresholds.
Given the alarming trajectory of the Black-crowned Night Heron, the study highlights actionable recommendations including the protection of critical nesting habitats from development and disturbance, the implementation of policies to reduce pollutant loads entering the estuary, and the engagement of community science programs to sustain monitoring efforts. It also points to the need for further research examining factors such as contaminant bioaccumulation, invasive species impacts, and climate-related habitat shifts that may compound risks for wading birds in the urban harbor.
Ultimately, this vital research underscores that urban estuaries can still support diverse and thriving ecosystems, provided that scientific insights are translated into concrete conservation actions. The Black-crowned Night Heron’s plight is both a warning and a call to action—a reminder that these ecosystems connect us all and that safeguarding their health ensures resilience for wildlife and human populations alike. The window for conservation is narrow but open, and sustained long-term commitments could foster a future where these iconic birds continue to grace the New York–New Jersey Harbor well beyond the coming decades.
As urbanization pressures escalate worldwide, this study offers a valuable case study exemplifying the challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation within metropolitan estuaries. It reinforces the importance of multi-decadal scientific monitoring and the role of indicator species in tracking ecosystem health. The collaborative efforts between researchers, conservationists, and policy advocates demonstrate the integrated work necessary to maintain ecological integrity in the face of ongoing human development. Without such dedication, the repercussions will ripple far beyond the loss of one species, affecting entire ecological networks and the services they provide.
The urgency for action is clear: if society values the ecological, cultural, and recreational benefits these birds provide, decisive conservation strategies are imperative. The New York–New Jersey Harbor wading bird populations stand as a living barometer of urban estuarine health, and their decline sends an unmistakable signal that ecosystem management must adapt and intensify to safeguard biodiversity in an increasingly urbanized world.
Subject of Research: Population trends and conservation status of colonial nesting wading birds in the New York–New Jersey Harbor estuary, with a focus on the declining Black-crowned Night Heron.
Article Title: Steep declines of colonial wading birds in northeastern North America’s largest breeding population
News Publication Date: 3-Jun-2026
Web References:
Keywords:
Conservation ecology, Birds, Wild birds, Migratory birds, Estuaries, Urbanization
Male bowerbirds are notorious for their complex mating rituals. They build intricate tunnels out of twigs—the bowers from which they get their name—and then decorate them with random colorful items gleaned from the environment. When a female of the species shows up to check out a male's fancy digs, the male tosses his shiniest objects in her direction and shows off his plumage in hopes of impressing her.
According to a new paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science by University of Exeter scientists, urbanization and the associated growing availability of brightly colored human-made items have had a significant impact on courtship display behavior in Australian male bowerbirds. There are marked differences in the choice of decorations for bowerbirds in urban versus rural environments. This might be because urban birds simply have greater access to the items than their rural counterparts, since birds in both environments show a marked preference for human items.
The University of Exeter researchers monitored the bowers of 61 male great bowerbirds in two sites in Australia's northern Queensland—the rural Dreghorn Cattle Station and the urban Townsville City—during the prime breeding season (September–December 2023). Then they photographed the bower decorations in situ from above in both visible and UV light (bowerbirds can see in the UV range), using an umbrella to create diffuse lighting.
© Caitlin Evans
Male bowerbirds are notorious for their complex mating rituals. They build intricate tunnels out of twigs—the bowers from which they get their name—and then decorate them with random colorful items gleaned from the environment. When a female of the species shows up to check out a male's fancy digs, the male tosses his shiniest objects in her direction and shows off his plumage in hopes of impressing her.
According to a new paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science by University of Exeter scientists, urbanization and the associated growing availability of brightly colored human-made items have had a significant impact on courtship display behavior in Australian male bowerbirds. There are marked differences in the choice of decorations for bowerbirds in urban versus rural environments. This might be because urban birds simply have greater access to the items than their rural counterparts, since birds in both environments show a marked preference for human items.
The University of Exeter researchers monitored the bowers of 61 male great bowerbirds in two sites in Australia's northern Queensland—the rural Dreghorn Cattle Station and the urban Townsville City—during the prime breeding season (September–December 2023). Then they photographed the bower decorations in situ from above in both visible and UV light (bowerbirds can see in the UV range), using an umbrella to create diffuse lighting.
© Caitlin Evans
Male bowerbirds are notorious for their complex mating rituals. They build intricate tunnels out of twigs—the bowers from which they get their name—and then decorate them with random colorful items gleaned from the environment. When a female of the species shows up to check out a male's fancy digs, the male tosses his shiniest objects in her direction and shows off his plumage in hopes of impressing her.
According to a new paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science by University of Exeter scientists, urbanization and the associated growing availability of brightly colored human-made items have had a significant impact on courtship display behavior in Australian male bowerbirds. There are marked differences in the choice of decorations for bowerbirds in urban versus rural environments. This might be because urban birds simply have greater access to the items than their rural counterparts, since birds in both environments show a marked preference for human items.
The University of Exeter researchers monitored the bowers of 61 male great bowerbirds in two sites in Australia's northern Queensland—the rural Dreghorn Cattle Station and the urban Townsville City—during the prime breeding season (September–December 2023). Then they photographed the bower decorations in situ from above in both visible and UV light (bowerbirds can see in the UV range), using an umbrella to create diffuse lighting.
© Caitlin Evans
Male bowerbirds are notorious for their complex mating rituals. They build intricate tunnels out of twigs—the bowers from which they get their name—and then decorate them with random colorful items gleaned from the environment. When a female of the species shows up to check out a male's fancy digs, the male tosses his shiniest objects in her direction and shows off his plumage in hopes of impressing her.
According to a new paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science by University of Exeter scientists, urbanization and the associated growing availability of brightly colored human-made items have had a significant impact on courtship display behavior in Australian male bowerbirds. There are marked differences in the choice of decorations for bowerbirds in urban versus rural environments. This might be because urban birds simply have greater access to the items than their rural counterparts, since birds in both environments show a marked preference for human items.
The University of Exeter researchers monitored the bowers of 61 male great bowerbirds in two sites in Australia's northern Queensland—the rural Dreghorn Cattle Station and the urban Townsville City—during the prime breeding season (September–December 2023). Then they photographed the bower decorations in situ from above in both visible and UV light (bowerbirds can see in the UV range), using an umbrella to create diffuse lighting.
© Caitlin Evans
A new evolutionary analysis suggests the behavior appears across many bird groupsA new evolutionary analysis suggests the behavior appears across many bird groupsNew fossil suggests bird courtship displays are at least 121 million years old.Internet-famous eagles Jackie, Shadow, Sandy, and Luna are not the only residents of their beautiful pine tree overlooking big bear lake. And sometimes, the watchful parents will let their presence be known.
According to Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), one of the tree’s most famous residents came close to the eagle family over the weekend. Fiona the squirrel made several appearances overnight between May 30 and 31. During one visit, Jackie decided to send a message to the bushy-tailed rodent.
“Jackie responded with a dramatic slap and some backtalk that reminded us she is not tolerating Fiona while trying to sleep,” FOBBV writes.
The not-so-little-anymore eaglets Sandy and Luna also practiced their squirrel-shooing skills and wing flaps later in the day.
Fiona is one of the catchall names of the flying squirrels that live near Jackie and Shadow. FOBBV is not sure how many of the rodents are in the area, but Fiona and Fast Freddie (another nickname) have had cameo appearances on the livestream for years. The squirrels will visit the nest from time to time, primarily searching for food scraps.
According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the nocturnal creatures are San Bernardino flying squirrels, (Glaucomys sabrinus californicus) a subspecies of the Humboldt’s flying squirrel. They can glide for as far as 300 feet in the air and primarily eat truffles, conifer seeds, and lichens. FOBBV volunteers have noted that the squirrels are “very fond of Shadow’s fish tails, coot feathers, egg shells and even crunchy beetles!”
So far, Jackie and Shadow’s eggs and eaglets have not been in any serious danger from the squirrels. The same can’t be said for the tree’s ravens, who destroyed the pair’s first two eggs this breeding season.
All of the action can be found 24/7 on the eagle nest livestream.
It’s been another roller coaster nesting season for Jackie and Shadow, a pair of internet-famous bald eagle parents living in San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California. After two of their eggs were destroyed by ravens in January, Jackie and Shadow laid two new eggs that have successfully hatched.
Chick 1 hatched on April 4 at 9:33 p.m. PDT, while Chick 2 followed on April 5 at 8:30 a.m. Their large nest in Big Bear Valley east of Los Angeles is livestreamed 24 hours a day by nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) and has captivated millions.
On May 1, FOBBV announced the chicks’ names: Sandy and Luna.
Chicks usually stay in the nest until 10 to 14 weeks of age.
Before leaving the nest, the chicks face threats from other birds of prey, including hawks, ravens, other eagles, and owls. Inclement weather can also present challenges for the chicks. In 2025, a March snowstorm resulted in the death of one of Jackie and Shadow’s three chicks.
During fledging, only 70 percent of eaglets survive. One of the greatest threats is from cars that can injure or kill the birds while they scavenge for food on roadkill.
The pair first got together in 2018 and successfully raised chicks in 2019 and 2022. However, their eggs failed to hatch in 2023 and 2024. Only 50 percent of eagle eggs successfully hatch, so this pair has already beaten the odds.
In 2025, Jackie laid three eggs that all hatched in early March. On March 13, a strong snowstorm dumped up to two feet of snow and battered the nest with strong winds. Only two of the chicks were visible on the live cam when the storm passed by the next morning. FOBBV later confirmed the passing of one of the chicks. The two surviving chicks were later named Sunny and Gizmo after 54,000 names were submitted by fans.
Young eagles usually fledge–or leave the nest and fly–when they can flatten their wings and have feathers capable of flight. This typically occurs when the birds hit 10 to 14 weeks of age. Males also tend to take their first flight a little sooner than females.
According to FOBBV, fledglings from Southern California have been spotted as far south as Baja California, as far north as British Columbia, and as far east as Yellowstone National Park.
About 70 percent of bald eagles survive the fledgling stage. FOBBV does not tag their eagles, so it’s not possible to follow the chicks’ journeys after they flee the nest.
Yes. Environmental groups are currently fundraising $10 million to protect Jackie and Shadow’s foraging area from development. Learn more at SaveMoonCamp.org.
The post Bald eagle Jackie shoos away Fiona the squirrel appeared first on Popular Science.
A newly described fossil goose shows that New Zealand’s bird history involved repeated arrivals, extinctions, and rapid island evolution. A rare fossil goose found in the remains of an ancient lake in Central Otago is changing how scientists understand the bird history of Aotearoa New Zealand, according to a researcher at the University of Otago [...]For decades, scientists have known that Earth’s magnetic field helps migratory birds and homing pigeons navigate. Just how our feathered friends sense the invisible sphere around the Earth, however, has been less clear.
At least part of the answer appears to be hiding inside a seemingly random organ. Immune cells inside pigeon livers called macrophages are sensitive to the planet’s magnetic field. These cells function like an internal compass, according to a new study published today in the journal Science.
Macrophages destroy old red blood cells, which makes them accumulate iron. The iron makes the macrophages superparamagnetic, a kind of magnetism that takes place in particular nanoparticles. The nanoparticles can then be magnetized if a magnetic field is applied to them.
“When pigeons fly, the nanoparticles align with the magnetic field and become ‘magnetized,’” Clivia Lisowski, a co-author of the study and a post-doctoral researcher in Immunology at the University of Bonn, tells Popular Science. “Like that, pigeons can sense Earth’s magnetic field.”
To understand how these particles help the pigeons navigate, Lisowski and her team tracked down where magnetic cells are in pigeons’ bodies. Because the liver and spleen store significant quantities of iron, researchers thought these might be good candidate organs. The liver had a significantly stronger magnetic response than any of the other tissues in the study, according to study co-author Ulf Wiedwald, an expert in nanoscience at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany,
From there they homed in on macrophages, and put these important immune cells to the test. They studied pigeons that were trained to fly back to their aviary in Konstanz, Germany, from over 12.4 miles away. Pigeons whose macrophages had been removed got lost when the weather was overcast. But when the sun was out, the pigeons reached the aviary, probably with the aid of solar cues.
The findings show how the birds employ magnetic sensing to find their way, as well as the sun’s orientation.
“Our study has implications for both the immune research landscape as well as for research on animal navigation or magnetoreception, respectively. For animal navigation it’s a new concept of how animals sense/perceive Earth’s magnetic field,” Lisowski says. “We think that this ferrimagnetic mechanism can actually explain how birds migrating at night, or sharks or bats or other animals migrating in dark environments can perceive Earth´s magnetic field.”
The team also found that the iron-rich macrophages are close to nerve fibers, indicating that magnetic information can get to the brain via this route. Ultimately, this shows how important interdisciplinary research, involving immunologists, behavioral biologists, and physicists, carries significance for more than just birds.
As for the immune system, Lisowski explains that to accomplish its different fuctions—such as defending our bodies from pathogens and healing wounds—it has to sense the environment.
“Our finding that the immune system can also sense the Earth´s magnetic field is a complete new layer in this concept of ‘immuno-sensation’ and opens the door to new research,” Lisowski explains.
The post Pigeons use their livers to sense Earth’s magnetic field appeared first on Popular Science.
If you’ve ever shared a bed with your child, you know the pain of flailing limbs at 3am. Bald eagle parents can relate.
Jackie and Shadow‘s 2026 eaglets, Sandy and Luna, have reach near-adult size, which has made sharing the nest bowl at night a difficult task. Viewers of the eagles’ 24/7 livestream have noticed that the parents no longer sleep right next to the young pair, instead resting on a nearby branch while the chicks doze at night.
“While it looks like she just needs a break from the kids, one of the most practical reasons is space management,” Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), the non-profit behind the livecam, explains. “By the time the chicks are 6 to 7 weeks old, they are nearly adult-sized. If you’ve ever tried to share a bed with someone who flails, kicks, and unexpectedly opens a 6-foot wingspan in the middle of the night, you would know exactly why Mama moves out!”
To us humans, sleeping in a cozy nest likely seems more comfortable than catching zzzzzs while standing, but we don’t have bird legs. Bald eagles roost on branches thanks to a natural adaptation called a tendon locking mechanism. This mechanism allows the majestic birds to clamp onto a branch or prey without needing to constantly flex their muscles. By doing so, the birds conserve energy and reduce fatigue—think about how weak your puny human legs would feel after standing all night.
Mama Jackie still remains close to Sandy and Luna to watch for predators, but also far enough away to avoid random talon jabs.
It’s been another roller coaster nesting season for Jackie and Shadow, a pair of internet-famous bald eagle parents living in San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California. After two of their eggs were destroyed by ravens in January, Jackie and Shadow laid two new eggs that have successfully hatched.
Chick 1 hatched on April 4 at 9:33 p.m. PDT, while Chick 2 followed on April 5 at 8:30 a.m. Their large nest in Big Bear Valley east of Los Angeles is livestreamed 24 hours a day by nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) and has captivated millions.
On May 1, FOBBV announced the chicks’ names: Sandy and Luna.
Chicks usually stay in the nest until 10 to 14 weeks of age. This year’s chicks will likely fledge sometime between mid-June and mid-July.
Before leaving the nest, the chicks face threats from other birds of prey, including hawks, ravens, other eagles, and owls. Inclement weather can also present challenges for the chicks. In 2025, a March snowstorm resulted in the death of one of Jackie and Shadow’s three chicks.
During fledging, only 70 percent of eaglets survive. One of the greatest threats is from cars that can injure or kill the birds while they scavenge for food on roadkill.
The pair first got together in 2018 and successfully raised chicks in 2019 and 2022. However, their eggs failed to hatch in 2023 and 2024. Only 50 percent of eagle eggs successfully hatch, so this pair has already beaten the odds.
In 2025, Jackie laid three eggs that all hatched in early March. On March 13, a strong snowstorm dumped up to two feet of snow and battered the nest with strong winds. Only two of the chicks were visible on the live cam when the storm passed by the next morning. FOBBV later confirmed the passing of one of the chicks. The two surviving chicks were later named Sunny and Gizmo after 54,000 names were submitted by fans.
Young eagles usually fledge–or leave the nest and fly–when they can flatten their wings and have feathers capable of flight. This typically occurs when the birds hit 10 to 14 weeks of age. Males also tend to take their first flight a little sooner than females.
According to FOBBV, fledglings from Southern California have been spotted as far south as Baja California, as far north as British Columbia, and as far east as Yellowstone National Park.
About 70 percent of bald eagles survive the fledgling stage. FOBBV does not tag their eagles, so it’s not possible to follow the chicks’ journeys after they flee the nest.
Yes. Environmental groups are currently fundraising $10 million to protect Jackie and Shadow’s foraging area from development. Learn more at SaveMoonCamp.org.
The post Jackie and Shadow’s chicks no longer sleep with mom in the nest bowl appeared first on Popular Science.
The spring’s hottest show is not on any streaming service. It’s the internet’s many live bird cams. Viewers can watch new life emerge, dramatic flights, plenty of eating, and more, all from the comfort of home. The Cornell Lab Bird Cams from Cornell University features birds from around the world, from delicate hummingbirds in South America to the wise-looking barred owls nesting in a backyard in Indiana.
“Our viewers tell us that watching the cams is a life changing experience: an unprecedented learning experience that they liken to virtual field trips or field biology in their living room,” the organization writes. “We’re excited to continue sharing and learning with the community as we watch the world of birds together.”
Below are a few of this season’s highlights, in no particular order.
On the morning of April 30, a mother barred owl brought a flying squirrel to her chicks, Artemis and Apollo, for breakfast. In the video, the squirrel’s patagium is visible. This special membrane connects the front and hind legs, allowing it to glide long distances between trees and separating it from other squirrel species.
For some birds, it’s all about the plants. This rufous-tailed hummingbird stops by the Panama Fruit Feeder Cam for a sip of nectar. This hummingbird species is commonly found in Central America and is known for its reddish tail and bright pink bill. Most hummingbirds are migratory, but there are easy ways to attract hummingbirds to your yard.
To greet the new day, a 20-day-old royal albatross chick opens wide and flaps its tiny wing nubs. This 24-hour live stream shows a northern royal albatross nest during the breeding season at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head on the southeast tip of New Zealand’s South Island. The world’s oldest known bird happens to be a Laysan albatross who nests about 4,393 north of New Zealand on the Midway Atoll.
In this compilation, this year’s owlets from the Wild Birds Unlimited Barred Owl Cam sleep, investigate the camera, and bob their heads. Technically called “motion parallax,” owls bob their heads to compensate for the fact that their eyes are fixed in their eye sockets. It helps them create a better view of their surroundings. Owlets use head bobbing to learn how to coordinate their sight with their hearing.
A keel-billed toucan was spotted eating a banana in the tropical trees of Panama. Toucans eat bananas by tossing pieces of the fruit into the air and swallowing them whole. Keel-billed toucans mostly eat bananas and are vital seed dispersers for fruiting trees in their habitat. The Panama Hummingbird Feeder Cam is about 35 miles north of Panama City in a vibrant tropical rainforest on top of Semaphore Hill within Soberanía National Park.
Since anything can happen in a rainforest, more than just birds pop up on a birdcam. While a gecko was lounging on the hummingbird feeder cam, a moth tried to join in. After the insect and reptile stare at each other for a bit, the gecko tries to grab the moth, but the moth escapes.
The post 6 bird cam highlights to celebrate nesting season appeared first on Popular Science.
When you think of a heron, chances are you imagine an elegant, long-legged bird posing majestically on the edge of a body of water. If so, it’s time to set the record straight—not all herons are swan-necked ballerinas. In fact, the boat-billed heron (Cochlearius cochlearius) looks like someone stuck the head of a large bird onto the body of a small one, and you can forget about a graceful neck.
As for its bill, the large and rather flat appendage explains the bird’s name, and is extremely sensitive. “These unique birds get their name from its broad bill that resembles the hull of a boat, perfect for snatching up fish, crustaceans, insects, and amphibians,” the Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village in Rhode Island writes in a social media post, with pictures of a rather judgemental-looking boat-billed heron. “[Their] large, dark eyes are also adapted for nighttime hunting.”
The funny-looking bird doesn’t migrate and lives close to fresh or saltwater in Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America, and are usually solitary animals. They only come together to mate, and remain monogamous throughout the breeding season. Hatchling boat-billed herons come into this world blind and, unsurprisingly, completely rely on their parents, who feed them for between six to eight weeks before leaving.
These birds feature a type of feather called “powder down.” Instead of molting, their tips slowly turn into waterproofing powder. Interestingly, boat-billed herons produce vocalizations that sound a bit like human hand claps. And right when you think they can’t get any weirder, adults feature a black crown that makes them look like emo queens.
Though their population is decreasing, according to the IUCN red list, they are classified as a species of least concern, which is as good as it gets. However, not all heron species are doing as well as the boat-billed heron. The white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis) is considered critically endangered and the great white heron (Ardea occidentalis) is endangered.
The post The boat-billed heron looks fake but is very real appeared first on Popular Science.
New fossil suggests bird courtship displays are at least 121 million years old.
Login
