Birds Coverage

Sylvan Heights Bird Park gives up-close experience of world's waterfowl

Nestled in Scotland Neck is the world's largest collection of waterfowl. Now, the 18-acre facility is home to 3,000 birds.

Sydney Franklin, WRAL multiplatform producer

Nearly 1,000 Birds Die After Striking Chicago Building

Millions of birds fly over Chicago during the fall migration season, and a number of them die after being confused by bright lights or after trying to fly through a window, but the carpet of bird carcasses outside a convention center Thursday morning shocked people who have been monitoring birds in the city for decades.

Amanda Holpuch, New York Times

Bird sits in front of Hampton Beach live camera

A bird sat in front of a live camera of Hampton Beach in New Hampshire, surprising WRAL anchors/reporters Renee Chou and Jeff Hogan.

Local woman attacked by bird while running near the Village District

Beth Gartland said she was treated for open scratches on her scalp after the incident.

Raleigh woman attacked by bird, wildlife specialist recommends awareness of surroundings

A Raleigh woman says she was attacked by a 'huge bird' while going for a run near the Village District.

Destinee Patterson, WRAL reporter

Peacock captured after escaping Bronx zoo

A peacock has been found after escaping a Bronx zoo.

Tar Heel Traveler: History is For the Birds

Scott Mason made his way down to New Bern to meet a history lover who plucks splintered wood from old farmhouses and turns them into creative birdhouses that have sold across the world.

Flaco the owl continues to capture the hearts of New Yorkers

New Yorkers' beloved owl, Flaco, escaped from his Central Park Zoo enclosure a month ago. After eluding various rescue attempts, Flaco has settled in quite nicely to his new expansive home -- and he might just be there to stay.

By Taylor Nicioli, CNN

Escaped cockatiel reunited with family thanks to social media

A Raleigh family is thankful for the safe return of their lost and now found cherished pet, an affectionate and very social cockatiel named Pearl.

Rick Armstrong, WRAL photojournalist

Birds take flight at Hawk Manor Falconry

Hawk Manor Falconry is owned and operated by Chip and Sommer Gentry. They are based in Lillington.

Tandra Wilkerson, WRAL contributor

Meet birds of prey at this falconry

Hawk Manor Falconry in Lillington has a variety of birds of prey. You can see them up-close and learn fun facts.

Man forms unlikely friendship with wild bird

A Maine man has formed an unlikely friendship with a wild bird. He's been friends with the partridge for years now.

Baby birds nest on OBX

Cape Hatteras National Parks Service officials posted pictures on the park's Instagram of newly hatched chicks at the coast.

Red-tailed hawks come and roost on Texas DOT traffic cameras

Travelers will be watched by Texas Department of Transportation cameras to respond to any trouble. But Texas DOT employees aren't the only ones with a bird's eye view of the roads. Noelle Walker has the story.

Protecting the Purple Martins: What NC researchers are doing to keep these unique birds safe

Each bird tracked on Friday by volunteers and experts with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences got a red tag and a serial number. Researchers use this information to track the Purple Martin's migratory patterns with hopes of better understanding the bird's behaviors.

Protecting the Purple Martins: Why tagging, tracking the bird is important

"I'm part bird," John Gerwin chuckled, as he guided a group of volunteers and children through the process of tracking the Purple Martin bird at the Prairie Ridge Ecostation in Raleigh.

Maggie Brown, WRAL multiplatform producer

Rare bird alert: Tropical Storm Alex brings tropical bird to NC coast

We may be able to thank the first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season for carrying a rare sea bird to the North Carolina coast.

Birds, bunnies, deer, raccoons, snakes: What to do if you see an animal in the wild

Seeing an animal in distress can make anyone feel helpless, but a North Carolina wildlife expert explains when you should, or shouldn't, intervene.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

DRAUGHON DRAWS: "Freedom" is for the birds?

Tuesday, April 26, 2022 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

No plans to reopen bird aviary at NC Zoo

The North Carolina Zoo's beloved aviary has been closed to the public since Jan. 24 to protect birds from the highly contagoius bird flu spreading across North Carolina. The aviary will not reopen.

Rebuilding NC Zoo's aviary would cost $50 million, zoo director says

The North Carolina Zoo is in the process of finding new homes for many of the 93 birds who live in the aviary, one of the most popular exhibits at the zoo. Officials say the 40-year-old building can't be repaired.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Zoos in North America placing birds indoors to avoid avian flu outbreak

Experts say zoos have moved birds inside to avoid the unnecessary killing of endangered or threatened species in their care.

Deadly bird flu now present in Triangle, killing hawk in Wake County

Wildlife officials announced Wednesday that a hawk in Wake County is among four wild birds now known to have died from a highly dangerous strain of bird flu in North Carolina.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Downtown Raleigh will go dark for migrating birds

Raleigh's skyline will be a lot darker beginning Tuesday night.

Downtown Raleigh goes dark for migrating birds

Effective March 15, all non-essential lighting in City of Raleigh facilities will be turned off between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night through May 31.