Birds
Birds are one of six classes in the animal kingdom. This group of endothermic vertebrates are characterised by feathers, toothless beaks and hard shelled eggs. There is estimated to be roughly 9000 – 10000 extant species of bird, with over 60 of these lacking the ability to fly, a characterised often synonymous with birds, for example the ostrich and the penguin.
Can seagulls really get drunk on flying ants?
Gorging on flying ants could make seagulls appear to act drunk, thanks to formic acid - which is toxic to birds
Why do birds fly in a V formation?
They have a winning Top Gun-style wingman strategy.
What caused the Kentucky Meat Shower?
It's raining meat! Hallelujah!
How the battle of the sexes left the duck with an awkwardly long, corkscrew-shaped penis
Both male and female ducks have evolved bizarre genitals.
101 random fun facts that will blow your mind
Our collection of the best interesting trivia covers animals, biology, geography, space and much more.
World's weirdest animals: Meet the great-eared 'goatsucker' nightjar bird
These nocturnal birds have ear-like feathery tufts on their heads, excellent night vision and a call which is said to be jarring.
Flamingoes aren't born pink. Here’s the (very bizarre) reason they take on that colour
As shown in BBC's Life in Colour, flamingos aren't born with that colour.
Where does the cuckoo learn its terrible behaviour?
The cuckoo tricks other birds into raising its chicks at the expense of the foster parents' own brood.
Protective parent in a dramatic dive swoops in to win Bird Photographer of the Year
All the latest winners from the annual Bird Photographer of the Year Competition.
Big city life makes birds better dads, suggests new study
Urbanisation is having a surprising affect on the local bird population.
Weird animals: 25 of the most bizarre animals on Earth
From an eel that can produce 400 times their volume in slime, to a fish with human teeth, here are some really weird animals from around the world.
In pictures: The rare green avadavat birds fighting to survive
Hidden in the mountains of northwest India, a beautiful songbird fights for survival.
In pictures: The rare green avadavat birds fighting to survive
Hidden in the mountains of northwest India, a beautiful songbird fights for survival.
Could dinosaurs have had relationships with other animals?
Many plants and animals in nature today live together in long-term interaction - so could this have happened at the time of the dinosaurs?
What is a harpy eagle?
Meet the apex predator of the rainforest.
Which dinosaur would actually survive in today’s world? A scientist explains
Can you picture living alongside a pasture of sauropods?
How do parrots say human words without lips?
In humans, changing the shape of your mouth helps shape sound into speech.
Here’s how a human bird flu pandemic could unfold
The largest ever global outbreak of avian influenza has started to jump to other animals. Are humans next?
Genius cockatoos use toolsets to complete tasks like little feathery handypeople
It’s as yet unclear how many sugars they take in their tea.
The surprising science of dodos: Everything you need to know, from extinction cause to its 'repulsive' taste
Learn what wiped out the dodo – and how scientists plan to resurrect the bird.
The best bird feeding kit for your garden in 2024
The British Isles is home to hundreds of species of stunning birds, so why not invite them into your garden with this guide to the essential kit?
Instant Genius Podcast | Big Garden Birdwatch, with Adrian Thomas
Why our gardens are so important to wildlife – and simple ways you can help the birds in yours.
Can baby birds really imprint on humans?
Precocial birds are those capable of moving around on their own soon after hatching, and it's for these birds - like geese, ducks and grouse - that imprinting is strongest.
Instant Genius podcast | Bird Flu, with Dr Alastair Ward
This year around the globe, an estimated 160 million domestic birds have died as a result of avian flu. But why has the virus spread so widely? And could humans be at risk?