Birds
Swift or swallow? What’s the difference between these two remarkable birds that travel thousands of miles?Swift vs swallow:
Know your swallows from your swifts? Tom Hibbert from The Wildlife Trusts takes a look at some of the differences…
Scientists hid cameras in an abandoned house in Argentina – and found carnivores sharing a room inside it
Images captured in the house show black vultures sharing a nest site with American barn owls. In another abandoned structure, the researchers recorded black vultures nesting beside Chaco eagles.
Don’t think birds can look scary? Think again – these 7 creepy birds look like they're straight out of a horror film
From heavyweight scavengers to flightless giants with horned heads, we take a look at some of the scariest-looking birds on the planet
When a solar eclipse cast darkness over Lake Erie, this happened to the birds that live there
What happens to birds when their daytime world suddenly goes dark? A researcher in Canada wanted to find out.
Conservationists carry the eggs of the world’s rarest duck for 44km on foot. Here’s why
The Madagascar pochard was once thought to be extinct, until it was rediscovered in the wild in 2006.
"The male contorts his body and feathers to form a wide oval disc featuring an iridescent ‘smiley face’"
Observing the ornate feathers and strange displays of these elusive, tropical birds is a rare delight, says Mike Dilger
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
