Birds

 

Get Involved

Join Now

You can explore new places, receive email you want, and build your own personalized nature page when you join the Conservancy's online community.

Explore by Habitat

Every habitat on the planet is home to a unique complex of species. Learn more about the animals that live in:

Watch Animals in Action

View incredible nature videos from Planet Earth, including a great white shark plucking a seal from the ocean.

Found across the world, birds range from small and difficult-to-spot songbirds to the majestic bald eagle. Though a few birds are flightless, most fly and all have feathers. Typically birds are adapted to have low take-off weights and high power-to-weight ratios. Many species undertake long migrations every year.

Bald Eagle

Birds of Prey

This fearsome group includes eagles, hawks, falcons, owls and their relatives.

Prairie Chicken

Grassland Birds

The prairies and other grasslands of the world provide rich habitat for a wide range of bird species.

Dickcissel

Songbirds

The term "songbird" refers to a large number of species that are often known for their calls rather than their looks.

Red Headed Woodpecker

Woodpeckers

Planet Earth is home to more than 180 species of woodpecker, each of whom has a unique adaptation to habitat.

Sandhill Cranes

Wading Birds

Waders and shorebirds feed in the rich shallow waters of shores and coastlines.

Snow Goose

Waterfowl

Humans have long depended upon waterfowl for food and for feathers. This group includes geese, swans and ducks.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom): Photo © Harvey Payne (Bald Eagle); Photo © Harvey Payne (Prairie Chicken); Photo © Harvey Payne (Dickcissel); Photo © Josh Wick (Sandhill Cranes); Photo © Rob Pavey (Snow Goose).