Birds

September 4, 2020

Farmer Devotes Half an Acre of His Land to Grow Food for Hungry Wild Birds

Ravenous birds aren't typically the most welcome visitors on a thriving farm. It's common for farmers to not only hasten their departure but also to make their stay an uncomfortable one. However, one farmer in Coimbatore, India has taken a surprising and more hospitable approach to his winged guests. Muthu Murugan is a farmer who’s deeply passionate about wildlife and the environment.

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August 4, 2020

Giant Andean Condor Can Fly Without Flapping Its Wings for Over 5 Hours

Looking at an Andean condor, one might wonder how such an enormous bird flies at all, let alone achieves an altitude of over 16,000 feet (5,000 meters). This giant species of vulture can have a wingspan of 10 feet and a body weight comparable to a human toddler, between 20 to 30 pounds. Recently, researchers at Swansea University collaborated with scientists in Argentina to study the flight of Andean condors in their habitat.

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June 16, 2020

Woman Sets Up Bird Feeder Cam to Capture Close-Ups of Diverse Birds Visiting Her Backyard

Intrigued by the diverse range of birds who frequently visit her garden, Lisa (aka Ostdrossel) created a homemade feeder cam—hidden within a weatherproof box—so she could capture her feather friends on camera without scaring them away. “I have always been fascinated with birds but it only became more of a hobby after I moved to the U.S.,” Lisa (who is originally from Germany) tells My Modern Met.

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May 5, 2020

These Tiny Birds in Japan Look Like Fluffy Little Cotton Balls

In Hokkaido, Japan's second-largest island, fluffy white little birds flitter through the trees. They look like white cotton balls bouncing around and are beloved by the Japanese, who call them Shima enaga. In English, they're known as long-tailed tits, though this particular subspecies is only found in Hokkaido. What makes Hokkaido's long-tailed tits so special? All members of the species are tiny, measuring 13 to 15 centimeters long—and half of that is tail!

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.