Ornithology

Canada has the beaver as its national animal, but it doesn’t have a national bird, even though almost everyone knows the Canada goose. Now Canadians can finally vote online for their favorite fowl, which might become a national symbol in 2017.

If you think drinking and driving is bad, just imagine drinking and flying. That’s what some birds in Canada’s Yukon territory are doing with the aid of fermented berries, so local animal health officials have prepared a tiny place for the birds to sleep it off.

Since 1991, the Ig Nobel prizes have been awarded, tongue firmly in cheek, to researchers whose work “first makes you laugh, then makes you think.” The theme of this year’s Ig Nobel ceremony? Food. And with that, we have this review of the Ig Nobel Cookbook, Volume I.

Half of North America’s 650 bird species may be forced to change their current habitats because of climate change or perish — including the bald eagle and the common loon. A new Audubon Society study produced maps to show people which of their local birds are at risk.

The urban environment is growing and pushing natural creatures out of their natural habitats. But not all creatures need be pushed out, if only we’d make a few small changes.