Birds

Old mailboxes are turning into unexpected owl homes.

In rural areas and quiet suburbs, tiny owls are slipping into a new kind of shelter—abandoned mailboxes. The cavities mimic the natural tree hollows they once relied on, and with fewer old-growth trees left standing, the birds are adapting in surprising ways. What seems quirky at first is actually a reflection of larger ecological shifts. From disappearing habitats to opportunistic nesting strategies, owls are showing that survival sometimes means turning human leftovers into makeshift homes. Each reason tells us more about how these birds navigate a changing world.

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These errors are harming pet birds everywhere.

Bird ownership appears deceptively simple until you realize how many things can go wrong with seemingly innocent decisions. These intelligent, sensitive creatures have complex needs that many well-meaning owners completely misunderstand, leading to behavioral problems, health issues, and shortened lifespans. The mistakes often stem from treating birds like other pets or following outdated advice that’s been passed down through generations of bird keepers. Recognizing these common errors can transform your relationship with your feathered companion and dramatically improve their quality of life.

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Scientists have discovered that ants may be medicine for feathers.

When a crow or jay sprawls on an ant hill, wings spread wide and feathers ruffled, the scene can look unsettling. At first glance, it seems like a bird in distress, surrendering itself to stings. Yet this behavior, known as “anting,” is deliberate. The birds aren’t weak—they’re self-medicating.

For decades, ornithologists dismissed it as odd ritual. Now, researchers suggest ants provide a chemical defense. Their formic acid, released when threatened, has antifungal and antibacterial properties. That makes ant hills a kind of natural pharmacy, especially valuable for sick or parasite-ridden birds. It’s a survival strategy hiding in plain sight, one that stretches across species and continents. And it shows how animals sometimes discover remedies long before humans write them down.

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Silent hunters are rewriting their survival playbook in the middle of human noise.

Urban environments present fascinating challenges for the animal kingdom, but few face trials as complex as those confronting nocturnal hunters. Among these adaptable creatures, owls stand out as remarkable survivors who are learning to navigate the concrete jungle with its relentless soundtrack of human activity.

Their success in cities reveals an ongoing evolutionary drama where ancient hunting strategies meet modern acoustic chaos. From traffic rumble to construction clamor, these silent predators must reinvent their approach to survival in landscapes that never truly sleep.

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These scavenging birds are dying at alarming rates and taking entire food webs down with them.

Vultures aren’t exactly the most beloved birds on the planet. Most people think of them as ugly, circling omens of death that show up when things go horribly wrong. But here’s the problem with that perception: vultures are actually nature’s cleanup crew, and they’re incredibly good at their job.

Right now, vulture populations across India and Africa are crashing so hard that scientists are using words like “catastrophic” and “ecological disaster.” When nature’s most efficient garbage disposers start disappearing, the ripple effects spread through entire ecosystems in ways that most people never see coming.

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