Who’s That Bird?, All About Bird Hygiene, Feathers That Glow
                                                               
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National Audubon Society
Joy of Birds | July 2025
Iris with nest material. The wold-famous Osprey has been nesting in Montana's Hellgate Valley since 1999.
Meet Iris, the World’s Oldest Known Osprey
Over her long life, Iris the Osprey has built an impressive legacy. Since 1999, this winged matriarch has returned to nest in Montana's Hellgate Valley, raising generations of chicks. Scientists have studied her offspring to trace toxic pollutants in the nearby river—and thanks to a web cam installed on her nest, Iris has become a global avian star. Can you guess how old this famous fish hawk is? Get to know Iris the Osprey.
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Iris with nest material. The wold-famous Osprey has been nesting in Montana's Hellgate Valley since 1999. Photo: Uschi Carpenter
A silhouette of a bird perched on a tree covered in holes.
Can You Guess This Mystery Bird?
We’re turning up the heat with another round of “Who’s That Bird!” Using the silhouetted image above and the three hints below, can you name this bird?
  • Clue #1: You can find this bird in deserts or brushy landscapes where open ground meets dense, low cover.
  • Clue #2: Contrary to their cartoon counterpart’s fictional call, this mystery bird has a soft, cooing song.
  • Clue #3: This bird walks and runs on the ground, flying only when necessary, and reaches speeds up to 15 miles per hour.
Here’s a bonus hint: this bird’s four-letter banding code, which researchers often use as shorthand for species' names, is “GRRO.” Click here to learn more about this bird and reveal the answer.
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Photo: Mick Thompson
Water droplets collected on leaves help an Anna's Hummingbird keep clean.
How Do Birds Keep Themselves Clean?
Staying clean is a matter of survival in a bird’s life—and a treat for birders to observe. For some birds, their hygiene routine is as simple as taking a dust bath. But for others, it’s a vigorous ritual. Keep reading for more on all the ways birds keep themselves clean.
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Water droplets collected on leaves help an Anna's Hummingbird keep clean. Photo: Michael Armour-Johnson/Audubon Photography Awards
Three feathers from birds-of-paradise side by side glowing under UV light.
See These Birds-of-Paradise Feathers Glow in the Dark
From dramatic mating displays to trapping light in their plumage like a black hole, the famously flamboyant birds-of-paradise family seem to have one bizarre trait after another. Adding to the list, researchers recently discovered that most species of birds-of-paradise are biofluorescent—meaning they can absorb light from the sun and transform it into their own colorful glow. Read on to learn about this glamorous bird’s dazzling feathers.
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From left: Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise, Emperor Bird-of-Paradise, and Emperor Bird-of-Paradise. Photos: Rene Martin
A Vermillion Flycatcher feeding a chick while perched on a tree branch.
Spread the Joy of Birds
Where we work—and when you help—our feathered friends are better off. Together, we’ll fight to save the places they need and bring birds back. Donate now
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Vermillion Flycatchers. Photo: Joshua Pelta-Heller/Audubon Photography Awards
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