Birds

March 3, 2024

Artist Uses Oil Paint to Create Expressive Portraits of Birds

For as long as she can remember, Rachel Altschuler has been fascinated by the unique energy and spirit of birds. And so, she has invested her artistic talents into creating striking avian portraits rendered in oil paint. Her passion for birds shines through in these expressive paintings, which focus on the unique characteristics of each species. All of Altschuler's birds are painted against neutral backgrounds, which allows their features to pop.

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December 13, 2023

Chinstrap Penguins Have a Fascinating “Microsleep” Schedule Made Up of Thousands of 4-Second Naps

Getting enough sleep is a challenge for almost everyone. In the case that you can't get at least seven hours off sleep at night, taking a cat nap is a great way to catch up on rest. While felines are most commonly recognized as avid daytime snoozers, there's a certain bird that has taken napping to another level. The charming chinstrap penguin—named after its distinct black marking underneath its beak—has an incredible microsleep schedule.

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September 13, 2023

Woman Uses Hidden Cameras To Get Candid Look at Birds in Her Backyard

For years we've been following Lisa, aka Ostdrossel, as she documents the incredible feathered friends who frequent her backyard. The German bird lover, who is based in Michigan, uses several backyard cameras that allow her to get a candid look at the birds. Luckily, she's more than happy to share the results, which show all of the birds and critters that eat and drink in her backyard.

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August 30, 2023

Ornithologist Wears a Giant Bird Head To Earn the Trust of Wild Birds, but Fails Miserably

Being a scientist doesn't always mean sitting at the computer or working in a lab. If anything, this career also allows you to do some fun stuff in the name of science, right? For example, an unnamed ornithologist—an expert on the behavior of birds—found a unique way to study his subjects. He wore a giant bird mask during his visits to a bird habitat for a year… and he did it for science.

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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.