bird: Media
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View a flock of red-billed queleas at the Etosha National Park
A flock of red-billed queleas (Quelea quelea), Etosha National Park, Namibia.
Track how Galapagos finches underwent adaptive radiation from a single ancestral lineage and their contribution to Darwin's theory of evolution
Galapagos finches have evolved many adaptations that allow them to survive throughout...
Learn how a hummingbird can fly in any direction and about its iridescent plumage
The unique architecture of the hummingbird's wings allow it to hover over flowers...
Observe flightless cormorants in their natural habitat on coasts of Fernandina and Isabela islands
The flightless cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi), endemic to the Galpagos...
See the black skimmer water bird skim the calm surface with its longer lower mandible in search of prey
Black skimmer (Rynchops nigra) feeding along the water's surface.
How climate change affects bird migration patterns
Learn how global warming affects the migratory patterns of birds.
Study the courtship practices of these flightless ratites and watch a mother ostrich care for its young
The long legs of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) are well-adapted to running,...
Images
basic body feather tracts on a generalized songbird
Basic body feather tracts on a generalized songbird. The shaded areas show the right...
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
feather types
Feather types and their distribution on a typical perching bird.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
pigeon skeleton
Pigeon skeleton, with the near wing raised and the far wing omitted.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
North American bird migration
Proportion of North American birds that migrate to the tropics.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
California quail
California quail (Callipepla californica).
© William H. Mullins, The National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers
European, or common, starling
European, or common, starling (Sturnus vulgaris).
George W. Robinson—Root Resources/Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
red-billed quelea
Flock of red-billed queleas (Quelea quelea), Etosha National Park, Namibia....
© iStock/Thinkstock
dusky seaside sparrow
The dusky seaside sparrow, which went extinct in 1987.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
perching mechanism of a pigeon
Perching mechanism of a pigeon with the leg extended and flexed.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
avian foot modifications
Modifications of the foot of perching birds for (A) perching and clambering, (B)...
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
social weaver nests
Nests of the social weaver (Philetairus socius).
Sven-Olof Lindblad—The National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers
nest and young of a robin
Nest and young of the American robin (Turdus migratorius).
Jeff Foott/Bruce Coleman Inc.
nest of the long-tailed tit
Nest of the long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus).
Stephen Dalton—The National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers
European cukoo egg in a reed warbler nest
European cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) egg (at left) in the nest of a reed warbler...
John Markham/Bruce Coleman Ltd.
fledgling European cuckoo being fed by an adult reed warbler
A fledgling European cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), having kicked out the young...
John Markham/Bruce Coleman Ltd.
hairy woodpecker skull
Position of hyoid bones (shaded) with tongue retracted (A) and extended (B), shown...
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
great blue heron
Great blue heron (Ardea herodias).
© Wilfredo Rodríguez (A Britannica Publishing Partner)
Caribbean flamingo
Caribbean flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) showing carotenoid pigmentation...
C. Laubscher/Bruce Coleman Inc.
Rivoli's hummingbird
Rivoli's hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) has iridescent structural colour.
Earl Kubis—Root Resources/Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
macaw cranium
Kinesis of the cranium of a macaw with upper mandible lowered (left), with upper...
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
avain bone cross-section
The hollow bones of birds are strengthened by internal struts.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
avian lung and air sac system
Avian lung and air sac system in a generalized bird.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
feather development
Development of a typical down feather. The epidermal ridges give rise to the barbs...
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Archaeopteryx
Archaeopteryx, a late Jurassic dinosaur, is also considered the first known...
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
European white pelican
European white pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) in flight.
© Digital Vision/Getty Images
European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis). This member of the family Fringillidae...
Armin Maerz
Raggiana bird-of-paradise
A male Raggiana bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea raggiana) displaying its colourful...
Baiyer River Sanctuary, New Guinea; photograph, Tom McHugh—The National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers
structural relationships
Structural relationship between Troodon (a dinosaur) and Archaeopteryx...
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
generalized labyrinth of vertebrates
Generalized labyrinth of various vertebrates.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
elephant bird (Vorombe titan)
Vorombe titan was the largest member of the Aepyornithidae, an extinct family...
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Christine McCabe
tree of life illustrating the three-domain classification of life-forms
The tree of life according to the three-domain system of biological classification.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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