Think You Know Birds? Think Again.

Air Date: May 13 2020

An ocellated antbird in Central America. These birds track army ants, which bring other insects that ocellated antibirds like to eat out of hiding when they’re on the march. Researchers have found that the ocellated antbird and other species that track army ants alert each other and collaborate when ant columns are on the move. ryanacandee (CC BY 2.0)

In recent decades, ornithology has had an explosion of new information and upturned assumptions about birds. They’re smart. They can dance. And they’re wildly diverse, ranging from fast fliers under an ounce to land-bound giants. A bird expert (and lover) shares the latest science on bird behavior.