Starling murmurations are one of the most mind-blowing phenomena of the animal kingdom. Before dusk, thousands of these birds fly in a group, twisting and swirling to form shape-shifting dark clouds. Wildlife artist and filmmaker Robert E. Fuller captured sweeping 4K footage of a winter starling murmuration over the Ripon City Wetlands in Yorkshire, England. The spectacular video offers a front-row seat to this breathtaking natural spectacle.

“Starling murmurations are one of Britain's greatest wildlife spectacles. Studies suggest the birds congregate in great swirling masses to confuse predators,” explains Fuller on his YouTube Channel. “This was filmed at Ripon City Wetlands, a wildlife reserve managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.”

The starlings make it to this area of the United Kingdom during the winter to escape the colder weather of Scandinavia. There, they are able to congregate for the season before disbanding in the spring. These formations work against predators because it makes it harder for them to focus on a single individual or simply scares them off, given the sheer size of the black cloud of birds. This is a prime example that there truly is power in numbers.

For all the beauty of these murmurations, their inner workings remain a mystery for ornithologists, especially as to how communication works among the birds. “Scientists say each starling keeps an eye on six to nine of those flying nearest to them,” Jono Leadley, North Region Manager for The Wildlife Trust, tells the Harrrogate Advertiser. “If their neighbors move, then they follow, creating a wave without hitting each other. Everything about the experience, from the sound to the synchronized aerial dance, is a staggeringly beautiful spectacle.”

Robert E. Fuller: Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [Laughing Squid]

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READ: Incredible 4K Footage of Sweeping Starling Murmuration Over the Yorkshire Wetlands

Emperor penguin chicks jumping off the ice shelf edge for their first swim at Atka Bay on the Ekström Ice Shelf in Antarctica. (Photo: National Geographic/Bertie Gregory)

Baby penguins are born into the hostile conditions of Antarctica. The survival of a penguin chick requires attentive care from both of its parents, taking turns to keep the fledgling warm and fed. By the time they are 6 months old, penguin chicks go out on a daring adventure of their own—their first swim. A team of National Geographic videographers led by Bertie Gregory captured a thrilling video of baby penguins taking a leap of faith into the gelid waters.

“Since 2009, satellites have recorded evidence that some head towards sheer ice cliffs. What happens next has remained a mystery,” states the clip. While penguin chicks usually jump about 2 feet to take their first swim, this particular group of penguins spotted in January 2024 had to leap off of a 50-foot ice cliff.

The footage shows hundreds of penguins marching to the edge of the ice—they approximate that there were 700 hundred of them. Looking out into the sea, they can be seen surveying the landscape and hesitating about their next move. Suddenly, a brave penguin leaps into the water like an olympic diver. There is a moment of suspense, but then the daring chick is seen happily wading in the frigid waters. A few others follow its example, and that's when the commotion starts. As the curious penguins try to peek over the edge, they can't help but comically fall and plop into the water. Some mindlessly slip from the edge, while others willingly take the leap. On the way down, they bat their arms in panic, delivering an adorable belly flop.

This footage of the never-before-seen penguin dive is part of an upcoming television program titled Secrets of the Penguins, which will premiere on Earth Day 2025. To stay up to date with National Geographic, visit their website.

A team of National Geographic videographers led by Bertie Gregory visited Antarctica to track Emperor penguin chicks on a thrilling expedition.

Photo: National Geographic/Bertie Gregory

The huddle of penguin chicks gathered at the edge of Atka Bay on the Ekström Ice Shelf, where they finally took the leap.

Photo: National Geographic/Bertie Gregory

One after the other, the chicks started jumping, diving, and even comically falling into the frigid waters 50 feet below.

Photo: National Geographic/Bertie Gregory

This remarkable footage is now the first of its kind to capture this behavior.

Photo: National Geographic/Bertie Gregory

Watch the video of baby penguins taking a leap of faith into the gelid waters of Antarctica:

Bertie Gregory: Website | Instagram | Facebook
h/t: [Kottke]

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READ: Watch Penguin Chicks Jump off 50-Foot Ice Cliff To Go for Their First Swim in Unprecedented Footage

Most parrots can survive anywhere from 40 to 60 years in captivity, making them near-lifelong companions. However, some species can live even longer than that. Koko, a bright Amazon Parrot with an even brighter personality, is one of these birds. He was born in 1940 and bounced around between several owners before finally finding his forever home with Ashvin Ghisyawan and Linda Lin, a couple better known as Ash and Lin who lives in the Netherlands.

According to Ash, Koko's first owners got him when he was still a baby, and he spent the first 30 years of his life in their flower shop. Shortly after, he went to the daughter of the first pair of owners, before eventually being inherited by the ex-husband of one of the original owners. Sadly, Ash believes that this man likely hurt Koko. After the parrot was rescued from the possibly abusive owner and brought to an animal sanctuary, Koko was given to one of Ash's friends for a few years. Finally, he was given to Ash and Linda, who have been his proud owners ever since.

Koko is blind, but he doesn't let this stop him from living life to the fullest. A glance at Ash and Linda's Instagram confirms that the parrot is full of joy, along with the couple's other exotic birds. He can normally be found flapping his wings excitedly and squawking in shared videos. It also seems like he's a particularly big fan of neck scratches. And even though he is technically a senior citizen, Koko still plays with other parrots like he's barely a day past 20.

To keep up with Koko, as well as Ash and Linda, be sure to follow the couple's parrot photography on Instagram.

Meet Koko, an 84-year-old Amazon Parrot who was recently adopted by a Ash and Lin, a couple from the Netherlands.

 

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A post shared by Parrots by Ash and Lin | Parrotcoach | Online consulting (@parrotsbyash)

It is a fitting forever home for Koko, who has gone through several owners during his long life, including one who was probably abusive.

 

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A post shared by Parrots by Ash and Lin | Parrotcoach | Online consulting (@parrotsbyash)

Koko is blind, but he lives life to the fullest, and every photo and video the couple posts of him is filled with joy.

 

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A post shared by Linda Lin (@lindalininsta)

Ash and Lin: Instagram
Ashvin Ghisyawan: Website | Instagram (personal) | Instagram (weddings)
Linda Lin: Instagram
h/t: [Laughing Squid]

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READ: Adorable 84-Year-Old Blind Parrot Finally Finds His Forever Home in the Netherlands

 

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Una publicación compartida por Lærke Luna (@laerke_luna)

Nature has provided us with some unusual friendships, but arguably none as cute as Russell the crow and a 2-year-old boy named Otto. Though Russell is a wild bird, he visits Otto and his family often. When the toddler is at home, he sits patiently by the window, waiting to be let in and watch TV with his human friend. When Otto is at school, the crow sits on the roof of the family home, waiting for his pal to return.

Their adventures together have been documented by Otto's mom, Lærke Luna. While she has been happy to see her son develop a magical bond with the bird, she never leaves them unsupervised. This has also meant that Russell enjoys being around Luna, unabashedly landing on her shoulder and playing with her hair.

Russell's love for Otto and his family seems to date back to when Luna's boyfriend spotted him, really thin and in distress. After trying to reach out to a wildlife rehabilitator, they couldn't find one in the vicinity. Not willing to give up on the crow, they took him in and nursed him back to health. And so, Russell has been around ever since, getting treats and bringing little trinkets in return.

But as much as he enjoys the family's company, Russell seems to only have eyes for Otto. Luna has captured him following the toddler around on walks and tricycle rides—much to the little boy’s delight, who smiles whenever he turns around to see his friend. The friendly crow also seems to enjoy watching Otto play with his toy trucks, whether inside or outside the house. The toddler's mom also shares that Russell only accepts pets from Otto, as he gets away from anyone else that tries to touch him. As for the family's furry friends, Luna describes their relationship as “love-hate,” as the bird loves to tease their cats and dogs.

“Living with Russell means there's never a dull moment in our life,” Luna tells The Dodo. “He allows us to interact with nature in a way that most people are not able to. We're his flock.” To stay up to date with Otto's adventures with Russell, you can follow Luna on Instagram.

Few friendships are as cute as the bond between Russell the crow and a 2-year-old named Otto.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Lærke Luna (@laerke_luna)

Russell loves to follow Otto on walks and tricycle rides, much to the delight of the toddler, who always smiles when he turns to see his friend.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Lærke Luna (@laerke_luna)

“Living with Russell means there's never a dull moment in our life,” says Lærke Luna, Otto's mom.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Lærke Luna (@laerke_luna)

Lærke Luna: Instagram
h/t: [The Dodo]

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Illustration showing the fossil skeleton of Imparavis attenboroughi, alongside a reconstruction of the bird in life. (Photo: © Ville Sinkkonen, via The Field Museum)

Sir David Attenborough has inspired many generations to learn about the world around them and pursue a nature-related career. And now, one of the scientists he moved has found a unique way to pay him back. Alex Clark, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Chicago, recently published a study about a newly discovered species of prehistoric birds that may change what we know about avian evolution. As a tribute to Attenborough, Clark named the species Imparavis attenboroughi, which means “Attenborough’s strange bird” in Latin.

The Imparavis attenboroughi lived 120 million years ago, but unlike its contemporaries, it lacked teeth. While birds today don't have teeth, this lack of dentition in the prehistoric bird made it unique, as it was more common to have them back then. “Before Imparavis, toothlessness in this group of birds was known to occur around 70 million years ago,” Clark tells CNN. “With Imparavis, it turns out it occurred nearly 48 million years earlier. Today, all birds lack teeth. But back in the Mesozoic, toothed little mouths were the norm. If you saw one without teeth, it’d be the oddball—and that’s what Imparavis was.”

The fossil that kickstarted this study was found by an amateur fossil hunter in northeastern China. It was then exhibited at the Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature in Linyi, China, where its skeleton stood out to Jingmai O’Connor, an associate curator of fossil reptiles at the Chicago Field Museum, who is also co-author of the paper.

“I think what drew me to the specimen wasn’t its lack of teeth—it was its forelimbs,” O’Connor said in a statement. “It had a giant bicipital crest—a bony process jutting out at the top of the upper arm bone, where muscles attach. I’d seen crests like that in Late Cretaceous birds, but not in the Early Cretaceous like this one. That’s when I first suspected it might be a new species.”

The bird belonged to a group named enantiornithines. They are also known as “opposite birds” because they had a shoulder joint feature that is quite different from the one found in birds today. “Enantiornithines are very weird. Most of them had teeth and still had clawed digits,” said Clark, “If you were to go back in time 120 million years in northeastern China and walk around, you might have seen something that looked like a robin or a cardinal, but then it would open its mouth, and it would be filled with teeth, and it would raise its wing, and you would realize that it had little fingers.”

While this is not the first animal to be named after Attenborough, it may be the first to change the paradigm. “It is a great honor to have one’s name attached to a fossil, particularly one as spectacular and important as this. It seems the history of birds is more complex than we knew,” said Attenborough. Other creatures named after him include a semi-slug named Attenborougharion rubicundus and the Zaglossus attenboroughi, also known as Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna.

Having been inspired by Attenborough his whole life, the scientists share that the work they do is connected to the naturalist's message of protecting the environment. “Learning about enantiornithines like Imparavis attenboroughi helps us understand why they went extinct and why modern birds survived, which is really important for understanding the sixth mass extinction that we’re in now,” O’Connor said. “The biggest crisis humanity is facing is the sixth mass extinction, and paleontology provides the only evidence we have for how organisms respond to environmental changes and how animals respond to the stress of other organisms going extinct.”

Evolutionary biologist Alex Clark decided name a newly discovered species of prehistoric birds in honor of Sir David Attenborough. Imparavis attenboroughi means “Attenborough’s strange bird” in Latin.

Photo: John Cairns via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

h/t: [Smithsonian Magazine]

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READ: Newly Discovered Bird Species Named After David Attenborough Sheds Light on Avian Evolution

Photo: SURZet/Depositphotos (Not a picture of the actual eagles.)

Jackie and Shadow are kind of a celebrity couple around Southern California, but they aren't Hollywood actors…or even human. They are a pair of bald eagles who call the San Bernardino National Forest home. A cleverly placed webcam has allowed animal lovers to follow them as they deliver their eggs and wait for them to hatch in the weeks leading to the arrival of spring. This year, it looks like three more birds could join their family.

The camera is managed by Friends of Big Bear Valley, an organization dedicated to protecting local animals through education and monitoring. They've been streaming from Jackie and Shadow's nest for years, sharing their family life with the public and providing priceless insight into the behavior of these animals.

On top of providing a 24/7 live stream, Friends of Big Bear Valley also provide explanations and share some highlights of the bald eagles' adventures. For example, they've detailed how one bribes the other with fish to let them sit on the eggs, or how they chase off intruders. Caring for their future offspring is a team effort, and both creatures seem to be up for the challenge.

While it is exciting to follow the eagles' parenting duties, the footage also provides some spectacular vistas of the national park, whether it a sunny morning with the lake in the background or a misty and snowy morning that turns the nest and its surroundings into a winter wonderland.

As of writing, experts from Friends of Big Bear Valley continue to monitor the bald eagles, providing updates as to when the eggs may hatch. With at least two of them still within the possible hatching window, hopefully we'll get some good news from them soon. To stay up to date, tune in to Friends of Big Bear Valley's live stream and follow them on Facebook.

A cleverly placed webcam has allowed animal lovers to follow Jackie and Shadow, a pair of bald eagles, as they deliver their eggs and wait for them to hatch in the weeks leading to the spring.

The camera is managed by Friends of Big Bear Valley, an organization dedicated to protecting local animals through education and monitoring.

On top of providing a 24/7 live stream, Friends of Big Bear Valley also provide explanations and share some highlights of the bald eagles' adventures.

While it is exciting to follow the eagles' parenting duties, the footage also provides some spectacular vistas of the national park.

Friends of Big Bear Valley: Website | YouTube | Facebook
h/t: [CBS12]

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Photo: Matt Brady / The University of Texas at El Paso (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Being a scientist means venturing into the unknown, even if there is no certainty you'll find what you're looking for. For researchers from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), this meant roaming the jungles of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to find a bird long thought lost. Luckily, their efforts bore fruit, giving us the first ever images of the striking yellow-crested helmetshrike (Prionops alberti).

“It was a mind-blowing experience to come across these birds. We knew they might be possible here, but I was not prepared for how spectacular and unique they would appear in life,” said expedition co-leader Michael Harvey, Ph.D. in a statement shared by UTEP.

The scientists made the discovery during a six-week expedition to the Itombwe Massif, a mountain range in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Trekking by foot for over 75 miles, they studied birds, amphibians and reptiles along the way. Harvey was joined by Professor of Biological Sciences Eli Greenbaum, Ph.D, and ornithologist Matt Brady, as well as a group of Congolese researchers from the Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles.

Finally, while exploring the cloud forests on the slopes of a mountain, Harvey and Brady stumbled upon the helmetshrike. The eye catching black bird with a bright yellow “helmet” was described by team as rather “noisy and active groups in the midstory of the forest.” In total, they spotted 18 of these birds in three sites during the expedition.

“This inspires hope that perhaps the species still has a reasonably healthy population in the remote forests of the region,” Harvey said. Before their sighting, the yellow-crested helmetshrike had not been seen in nearly 20 years, sparking fears that the species may have gone extinct.

While war and internal turnmoil had made explorations to the area difficult, the area is now safer to visit. For now, the next challenge is to protect their environment. “Mining and logging as well as the clearing of forests for agriculture are making inroads deep into the forests of the Itombwe range,” Harvey added. “We are in discussions with other researchers and conservation organizations to further efforts to protect the region’s forests and the helmetshrike. Right now is a golden opportunity to protect these tropical forests, so that we don’t lose species like the helmetshrike before they are known and studied.”

h/t: [IFL Science]

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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. Using loose brushstrokes, Altschuler renders their feathery plumes in a way that pays homage to their bright, vibrant personalities. Whether painting a pensive-looking puffin or a regal flamingo, each bird's unique character is highlighted.

By using oil paint, a medium used for portraiture by the Old Masters, Altschuler elevates these birds to a new level. In creating portraits akin to the ones typically reserved for humans, she's reminding us that wildlife and humans are on an equal playing field. She acknowledges that birds hold special meaning for many people, and she hopes that, through her art, she can foster an even deeper connection with them.

Altschuler's art will be available to an even wider audience starting this summer when she opens her own gallery space. Rachel Altschuler Gallery is opening on June 1, 2024. Located in New Harbor, Maine, her paintings will be right at home in the small, New England coastal village.

“Maine is my happy place. I find so much solace in the beauty of my natural surroundings there, and that has been so impactful in my life. It’s been a dream of mine to open a gallery there, and this fall, I was lucky enough to find the perfect spot,” she tells My Modern Met. “New Harbor is an idyllic, coastal village located in the midcoast region of Maine. The natural beauty of the area, with its fishing wharves, rocky coastline, and incredible sunsets, is no doubt why it was voted the nicest place in Maine in Reader’s Digest.”

“More importantly, the local art scene is absolutely packed with some of New England’s finest artists. I feel so lucky to be a part of this community and can’t wait to open my doors for the first time this summer.”

Artist Rachel Altschuler is known for her expressive oil paintings of birds.

These portraits pay homage to the avian world by focusing on each bird's unique characteristics.

This summer, Altschuler will be opening her own gallery in Maine.

Visitors to the coastal village of New Harbor will have to opportunity to see even more of her incredible bird art.

Rachel Altschuler: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Rachel Altschuler.

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READ: Artist Uses Oil Paint to Create Expressive Portraits of Birds

 

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A post shared by Ворон Гоша и Александр (@voron_gosha_tv)

Ornithologists and bird lovers all know that crows, ravens, and other members of the corvid family are extremely intelligent. Not only do they possess sensory consciousness, meaning they cultivate an awareness of the present and immediate past through observed events, but they also understand the concept of zero. As it turns out, these creatures flip the script on the term “bird brain.” Recently, one raven named Gosha has been making the rounds online for his ability to solve a puzzle by utilizing an ordinary stick.

In the clip, Alexander's hand can be seen inserting some treats in a clear tube. Much to the crow's annoyance, the food seems to be just out of reach. Gosha then accepts a little help, and jumps on his human's gloved hand. Using his beak, the bird unloads a white stick, which falls to the ground due to its weight. But the crow is not going to give up.

The bird quickly flies down to recover the stick. At first, he grabs the prop from an end, but quickly realizes it's too heavy to carry. In a unique display of intelligence, the crow chooses to pick it up from the middle this time, allowing him to continue with the mission. Gosha then expertly inserts the stick into the clear tube without missing a beat, and voilà! The treats have been freed, and Alexander's clever little feathered friend wastes no time to promptly eat them. As he is hurriedly feasting on his reward, his human gives him a congratulatory scratch.

As amazing as this feat is, it's just one of many things that ravens and crows can do. The New Caledonian crow has been observed making hooks and other tools out of sticks to reach food. This species even knows how to handle them for optimal use. “New Caledonian crows are gifted tool users,” Dr. James St Clair, who conducted a study on these birds at the University of St. Andrews, told The Guardian. “The highly dexterous behavior we observe in adult birds is the outcome of complex interactions between genetic predispositions and lifelong individual and social learning—a process that we don’t yet fully understand.”

Meet Gosha the beautiful black raven.

 

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A post shared by Ворон Гоша и Александр (@voron_gosha_tv)

 

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A post shared by Ворон Гоша и Александр (@voron_gosha_tv)

This smart bird and his human Alexander are incredibly close pals who have a lot of fun together.

 

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A post shared by Ворон Гоша и Александр (@voron_gosha_tv)

In addition to random playtime, Gosha's intelligence has allowed Alexander to train the raven and even teach him some tricks.

 

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A post shared by Ворон Гоша и Александр (@voron_gosha_tv)

Watch how the smart raven uses a stick as a tool to get food that's trapped in a tube.

 

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A post shared by Ворон Гоша и Александр (@voron_gosha_tv)

Raven Gosh and Alexander: Instagram
h/t: [Reddit]

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After spending several years photographing starling murmurations in his native Denmark, photographer Søren Solkær has spread his wings and traveled across Europe to document the phenomenon. The migration routes of these passerines brought Solkær from Ireland and England to the Netherlands and Italy, where he photographed their incredible formations in the sky.

The result is Starling, a follow-up to his well-received book Black Sun. The book includes 138 images, including a new series of work that takes Solkær's passion for these birds to a new level. Using light and electron microscopes, he was able to photograph their feathers. This added layer of visual information only serves to assist Solkær in unraveling the magic and mystery of their flight patterns.

Starling is set for release on December 26 and is available for purchase on the artist's website. The publication comes on the heels of another important moment for the photographer. On December 9, his exhibition Søren Solkær:Black Sun opens at Seattle's National Nordic Museum. It is his first major exhibition in the United States will feature over 50 photographs and pieces of video art. As part of the programming, the public will also have the opportunity to hear Solkær speak about his work at an event on December 10.

Both the book and exhibition are an incredible opportunity to study his images in-depth. While many photographers enjoy documenting these avian formations, Solkær does so with the eyes of a fine art photographer. He has a knack for picking up on uncanny shapes and really exploring the sinuous curves of the flock.

Danish photographer Søren Solkær is known for his evocative photos of starling murmurations.

He has been following their formations across Europe, from the United Kingdom to Italy.

His first exhibition in the United States is opening at Seattle's National Nordic Museum on December 9.

He also has a new book, Starling, that is currently available for pre-sale.

The book contains 138 images, including new work focusing on the microscopic details of the starling's feathers.

By photographing these birds in many different ways, Solkær shares his passion for the starling's behavior with the world.

Søren Solkær: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Søren Solkær.

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READ: Photographer Travels Europe to Document Incredible Starling Murmurations