The Buzz

White birds are fairly common in the wild, with some swans, egrets, gulls and even owls known for their snow-colored plumage. But what about white birds that should be a distinctly different color, such as a white cardinal, hawk or great horned owl?

While Starved Rock State Park in Utica is often a go-to spot for those fascinated by America's bird, Rock Run Rookery Preserve has been providing more than a suitable alternative closer to home.

According to a recent study, red squirrels can inherit wealth just like humans. But for the squirrels, inherited wealth comes in the form of food stores of squirrels that have died. 

Test your knowledge with these 10 questions.

Opossums are so ugly that they're cute, but beyond their appearances we should appreciate them for their amazing pest control abilities. 

Can a bird survive with a broken beak? It often depends on where the injury is and how severe it is, as well as whether the bird can still eat.

Study after study has shown that spending time in the great outdoors is good for you. But according to a new study, simply being raised near green spaces can reduce your risk of developing certain mental illnesses as an adult.

Next time you order a drink from a restaurant, think twice before you unwrap the straw. Americans use millions of straws a day, and many of them end up as litter, eventually making their way into ours lakes and rivers. National Skip the Straw Day, held every February, aims to change that. 

The American woodcock is related to the sandpiper, but you wouldn't know it based on its behavior. Woodcocks are known for their unusual antics, including elaborate and sometimes noisy "sky dances" and a weird walk to help them find food.

Find out by answering these 10 questions.

Winter is stink bug season, at least indoors. If you are finding these bugs around your house, don't squish them or step on them unless you're prepared for their noxious odor. Instead, your best bet is to prevent them from getting inside your house in the first place.

Deer can't escape the cold during a long, harsh winter, so how do they survive? They rely on a combination of adaptations and behavioral changes to make it through the cold winter months.

Spending time outdoors is good for you, but what if you didn't grow up with a love of nature? Can you develop an appreciation for it as an adult? You can, according to a recent study.

With its crimson cap and stunning black and white wings, the red-headed woodpecker is a beauty among birds.

Each night as darkness falls, we begin to wind down our day, eventually settling in for sleep. For many animals, however, these same cues that signal the end of our day mean it’s time to start theirs.