Birds
Birdwatchers spotted a black vulture nesting on the roadside. What it was sitting on amazed them all
The vulture appeared to be incubating a snail shell – it's the first time this behaviour has ever been documented.
"With its eyes fixed on ripples in the water below, it suddenly folds its wings, plummets and, a split-second before contact, thrusts its legs forward…"
Plummet, dive, snatch... ospreys are master fishermen, but why exactly are they so darn good at it?
It has piercing blue-grey eyes, a 2m wingspan, a spectacular shaggy crest – and is powerful enough to take monkeys in its deadly talons
Forest degradation has been catastrophic to the notorious Philippine eagle
"Much like Victorian ladies, females had no reason to compete. Hushed by Darwin’s theory, their role was simply to listen to the jazzy showmanship of the males"
The female superb lyrebirds have a voice – and a taste for vandalism – which they aren't afraid to use.
Scientists X-rayed ancient penguin bones from remote Antarctic island. Here’s why
Antarctica wasn’t always the freezing and ice-capped remote land we know today…
It spans over 1 million acres, contains rare creatures and is the only place on Earth where two watery, deadly apex predators clash
Everglades National Park, in the US state of Florida, is the largest subtropical wilderness in North America
How to identify wildlife
Red squirrel vs grey squirrel: Think you know how they differ? Think again as the differences between these two squirrels will surprise you
We take a look at how the red squirrel differs to its American grey cousin
Brown rat or water vole: How to tell the difference between these two lookalike-rodents
When all you've seen is a flash of brown fur, it can be hard to know whether it was a water vole or rat. Though the two species tend to live in different habitats, there are areas where they overlap, potentially leading to cases of mistaken identity. So how do you tell rats and water voles apart?
Mink or otter? What's the difference between these two slippery, semiaquatic lookalikes?
How do you tell the difference between otters and mink?
LRPs, PG Tips and Jizz: Cracking the secret language of birders
You’re sitting in a hide and overhear other birders talking. The conversation ranges from ‘LRPs’ and ‘roosting Leos’ and you scratch your chin as you try to decipher their code – welcome to the world of birding jargon.
It's the fastest animal in the world and its deadly claws can catch prey mid-air: Meet one of the world's most incredible birds of prey
Peregrines are the ultimate urban predator. Learn all about them, including how to spot them ‘stooping’ to catch prey
Save 30% when you subscribe to BBC Wildlife Magazine, plus receive Simon Barnes’ latest release, Spring is the Only Season
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Plants
"If inhaled it can cause high fever, extreme shortness of breath and pneumonia – up to 80% die without treatment." 8 deadliest spores on the planet
Most spores are harmless, but some are trouble. When they get into the body and become reanimated, they can release toxins, invade tissues and cause serious health problems.
"Letting it grow unchecked could result in a £2,500 fine £2,500." 10 dangerous, criminal weeds that could land you in legal trouble and paying a hefty fine
We take a look at some dangerous weeds that could cost your pocket
How do trees make it rain?
We take a look at the important role trees play in making it rain
Scientists set up a camera trap on this parasitic plant. Then something astonishing turned up
It’s thought that ants were visiting this mushroom-like plant – but it was actually a much larger creature
