70 of the world’s rarest birds still found in the wild

Reintroduced Spix's macaws in the wild

Sulu hornbill, silvery pigeon, Magenta petrel, Amsterdam albatross, and the recently reintroduced Spix’s macaw are some of the world’s rarest birds – reduced to critically small numbers, often just tens of individuals. Despite their status, these species can still be found in the wild, if you’re lucky enough to spot them.

19 birds with the largest and longest beaks from around the world

Sword-billed hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera)

The Australian pelican has the longest beak of any living bird, with adult males reaching an astonishing 50 centimeters (20 inches) in length. The sword-billed hummingbird holds the record for the longest beak in proportion to body length, with its slender bill exceeding the length of its body (excluding the tail). The toco toucan, meanwhile, […]

Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus): Nocturnal giant in the care of humans

Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus)

The kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) is one of the most evolutionarily distinct and critically endangered birds in the world. Endemic to New Zealand, it is the only extant species of its genus and one of just three surviving members of the ancient parrot superfamily Strigopoidea. A flightless, nocturnal herbivore with unusually long lifespan and lek-based breeding, […]

13 of the world’s smallest birds – some the size of a bumblebee

Bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae)

The bee hummingbird is the world’s smallest and lightest bird, with adult males measuring just 5 centimeters (2 inches) in length and weighing as little as 1.6 grams (0.06 ounces). The short-tailed pygmy tyrant is the smallest songbird, reaching just 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) and weighing only 4.2 grams (0.15 ounces). Despite being scarcely larger […]

Owl meaning and symbolism across cultures and myths

Great horned owls illustration

The owl has long been a symbol of wisdom, mystery, and the supernatural across cultures worldwide. Feared by some as an omen of death and misfortune, and revered by others as a guardian spirit or messenger of hidden knowledge, the owl’s silent flight and haunting cry have inspired countless myths and legends.

14 largest birds of prey: Apex predators of the skies

Andean condor in flight

The Andean condor is the world’s largest and heaviest bird of prey, with a wingspan reaching up to 3.3 meters (10.8 feet) and a body mass of up to 15 kilograms (33.1 pounds). The secretarybird is the tallest and longest predatory bird, standing up to 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) tall and reaching a body length […]

Inaccessible Island rail (Laterallus rogersi): World’s smallest flightless bird

Adult Inaccessible Island rail held by a researcher

The Inaccessible Island rail (Laterallus rogersi) is the world’s smallest flightless bird, measuring as little as 13 centimeters (5.1 inches) in length and weighing just 34 grams (1.2 ounces), found exclusively on Inaccessible Island in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago. Endemic to just 12.65 square kilometers (4.88 square miles) of remote volcanic terrain in the […]

Common starling (Sturnus vulgaris): Vocal virtuoso and ecological wildcard

Adult common starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

The common starling (Sturnus vulgaris), also known as the European starling, is one of the world’s most adaptable and widespread passerines. Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, it has been introduced to North America, Australia, New Zealand, and elsewhere, where it has firmly established itself. Known for its dark iridescent plumage, speckled appearance […]

12 of North America’s largest birds, from condors to geese

California condor in flight

The California condor is North America’s largest bird, with a wingspan exceeding 3 meters (9.8 feet). The whooping crane is the tallest, reaching a standing height of up to 1.6 meters (5.2 feet), while the trumpeter swan is the heaviest, with some males weighing as much as 17.2 kilograms (37.9 pounds) and wingspans occasionally rivaling […]