Other Animals

Heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and species. Usually, humans get all of the attention. But once in a while, an obvious case of strange and selfless reality appears that’s not from a human. This is the story of Louie the parrot, who on a fateful early morning when his family was sound asleep, screeched

Cerulean Warbler. Photo: Ray Hennessy/Shutterstock RICHMOND – “Today is a huge win for birds and people that gives us hope in the face of increasingly dire climate threats. The pragmatic, market-based approach of the Virginia Clean Economy Act demonstrates that commonsense climate leadership is taking root in the Southeast and strengthening throughout the U.S.,” said Gary

It was a typical, hectic morning for Melina Marama Waite and her family. She left the house around 7:30, dropped two of her kids off at day care, and was on her way to drop her 9-year-old daughter off at school — when she suddenly realized they’d had a stowaway in the car the entire

Belted Kingfisher. Photo: Evelyn Garcia/Audubon Photography Awards DENVER—After a multi-year, multi-stakeholder effort from Audubon, partners, and other stakeholders to expand Colorado’s existing program to loan water to the environment, an instream flow bill (HB20-1157) passed both the House and the Senate and garnered wide bipartisan support. In Colorado, an estimated 90 percent of the state’s

At the end of December, Roxy went missing from her yard, and her entire family was devastated.  “We didn’t know if she got loose off her line or if someone came in the gate and took her,” Stephanie McMillan, Roxy’s mom, told The Dodo. “It was awful.”  Stephanie McMillan McMillan’s kids were heartbroken that Roxy

American Kestrels with a hawk moth caterpillar. Photo: Christopher Ciccone/Audubon Photography Awards When chatting with ecologists about moth caterpillars, it is surprisingly hard not to get hungry. “I always talk about them as sausages: a very thin wrapper filled with good things,” says University of Delaware entomology professor Doug Tallamy, whose research has shown that native

When Monty’s family suddenly noticed her eating something strange, they were confused at first, until they recognized the end of a beach towel sticking out of the snake’s mouth — and realized she had somehow swallowed the entire thing.  Small Animal Specialist Hospital Knowing she needed help, Monty’s family took her to Small Animal Specialist

Long-billed Dowitcher. Photo: Melissa James/Audubon Photography Awards As days get longer and temperatures begin to climb, birds and birders are anxiously waiting for that annual bliss that comes with the change in seasons. Yes—you know what I am talking about: Spring Migration. While some species are already on the move, we’re waiting for that burst

A lot can change over the years, decades and centuries — but love felt for cherished pets has endured for generations. That’s a sweet truth photographer Mathieu Stern recently learned firsthand. YouTube/Mathieu Stern Working on a tip from a relative, Stern was lucky to find a time capsule hidden inside an old family home. Judging from the

Many birders have encountered what can be a weird-looking sight: a bird on the ground or perched, wings spread wide, basking in the warm sunlight. If the temperature is hot enough, the bird might even have its mouth open, panting like a dog. This behavior is called sunbathing, or “sunning,” and has been noted by ornithologists since at

When the call first came in, everyone at the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office in Washington was a bit confused. When a few officers went to check it out, though, they quickly confirmed it — there was a sea lion heading down a dirt road in the middle of the woods, far away from any kind

Laura Aguirre, Audubon Florida, Conservation Leadership Initiative students, and the Miami-Dade County group make their way to the capitol building on Everglades Action Day. Photo: Dominic Arenas/Audubon Everglades advocates, local and state conservation leaders, environmental policy analysts, and college students from all corners of Florida made the journey to Tallahassee for Everglades Action Day on

The RSPCA’s “Clear The Shelters” campaign was a huge success for over 700 animals who went to loving homes across New South Wales. But at the end of the whirlwind weekend, one dog found himself all alone in an empty shelter.  Deisel, a 5-year-old Staffordshire terrier, was the last dog left at the Hunter RSPCA

Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Photo: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren/Flickr (CC BY 2.0) This week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposed a 9 percent decrease in designated habitat for the western distinct population of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo) (Coccyzus americanus) even though it is found in only a fraction of its former range

At first glance, Star and Denver seem like perfectly normal 3-month-old puppies. The two terrier mix siblings love to play and explore; they rocket around the room, chasing toys and each other until they pass out together in bed.  But there is something very special about the way these two play. Star is deaf and

American Redstart. Photo: Christa R./Flickr (CC BY NC 2.0) WASHINGTON (February 27, 2020) – “Senators Murkowski and Manchin have demonstrated important leadership in advancing investments that will modernize our energy system,” said Sarah Greenberger, senior vice president for conservation at the National Audubon Society. “Our own research has shown that if we do nothing to

Peri’s family adopted her when she was just a few days old, and six months later, she suddenly came down with a severe eye infection. For months, the chicken’s family treated her with daily medications and even went to several specialists, but unfortunately, they learned that blindness was inevitable. Determined to help Peri as best

Snail Kite. Photo: Scott Dere/Audubon Photography Awards NEW YORK – In January 2020, the National Audubon Society welcomed Dean Fischer, founder and chairman emeritus of West Monroe Partners, and Steffanie Munguía, biologist and Audubon’s Pan-Flyway regional director, to its national board of directors. The newest board members bring notable expertise and experience in student-focused and

Ever since he was a kitten, Diego has been quirky. Due to some health issues when he was younger, he’s a bit smaller than most cats his age and can’t always play the same way they can. Instead, he loves carrying his toys around with him. He never really had a favorite, though — until

Harriet Tubman, 1870s. Photo: Harvey Lindsley/Library of Congress Many people are aware of Harriet Tubman’s work on the Underground Railroad and as a scout, spy, guerrilla soldier, and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War. Fewer know of her prowess as a naturalist.  At the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Church Creek, Maryland, Ranger Angela Crenshaw

If Jess Christoffers ever doubted whether her dogs could tell that she was pregnant — she doesn’t now. As her belly has grown, her two pups, Rocky and Diogee, have become obsessed with it. “They both rest on my belly all the time,” Christoffers told The Dodo. “Rocky more, though.” Jess Christoffers Christoffers decided to adopt

Red Crossbill. Photo: Mick Thompson/Eastside Audubon This audio story is brought to you by BirdNote, a partner of The National Audubon Society. BirdNote episodes air daily on public radio stations nationwide. Transcript:  This is BirdNote. If you were to look at the beak of a baby loon or young crossbill, you’d have to wonder just

Daisy was adopted from Cats’ Aid in Ireland when she was just a kitten, and has always been a little shy. She’s not always a fan of meeting new people or animals, but loves her dad so much and counts on him to be her best friend and protector.  Will Murphy “She always wants to

Greater Sage-Grouse. Photo: Evan Barrientos/Audubon President Donald Trump is visiting Colorado Springs today. He arrives as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as part of his federal Department of the Interior, takes aim at regulations in place protecting millions of acres of public land cherished by millions of Coloradans, westerners, and an adaptable, dancing bird,

Morgan McKenzie was walking around her property in Delaware when she heard tiny screams coming from a hollowed-out log. The voice belonged to a gray and white kitten who appeared to be all alone. McKenzie decided to leave the kitten where she found her just in case the mom returned. As night fell, McKenzie checked

Tice Supplee, Audubon Arizona, and Cary and Nancy Meister, Yuma Audubon Society, discuss groundwater management with Sen. Sine Kerr at Western Rivers Day. Photo: Dominic Arenas/Audubon During last year’s visit to the Capitol, Audubon Arizona and its coalition partnersadvocated for a sustainable water future for the state by talking with legislators about the Colorado River

Last week, in the wee hours of the morning, an unexpected visitor strolled through the doors of the Odessa Police Department in Texas and hopped up onto the counter. It was a friendly dog who seemed eager to let officers know of an incident in progress — that a certain someone had gone missing from home.

Royal Terns on South Island, Virginia. Photo: Matthew Fossum Every spring since the 1980s, tens of thousands of seabirds have made their way from their South American wintering grounds to Virginia’s South Island to nest. Once there, raucous masses of Gull-billed Terns, Royal Terns, Common Terns, Black Skimmers, Laughing Gulls, and others combine to create

This is Peaches, a very chubby cat with an even bigger personality. There’s always been more to Peaches than meets the eye, but much less so as of late. As you’ll see, Peaches recently got a new hairdo that leaves very little to the imagination. Chrissy Higginson Barnabei Peaches was a shelter cat who was

Black-throated Blue Warblers have shifted the timing of their spring and fall migrations over the past fifty years. Photo: Kyle Horton If you’ve spent much time observing the seasonal comings and goings of your backyard birds, you may have noticed some favorite species returning a little earlier in spring than they used to. No, your