A closeup of the Namaqua sandgrouse’s feather, which locks in water with straw-like structures. The Namaqua sandgrouse is a small, unassuming, and pigeon-like bird. It lives in the arid regions of ...

The male desert sandgrouse might not be much to look at, but his belly feathers give him the unique ability to absorb and carry water. Researchers have, for the first time, closely examined the ...

Sometime in the future, the water bottle you carry on a run, or the nasal swab you brave at the health center, could be inspired by the feathers of an African desert fowl. [Image: Johns Hopkins ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The sandgrouse isn’t considered an elegant-looking bird. In fact ...

In a remarkable discovery, scientists have unraveled the secret of the Namaqua sandgrouse, a desert bird capable of carrying water in its feathers to its chicks. Male sandgrouse fly long distances to ...

Pigeons may be considered rats of the sky, but some scientists have found greater value in these urban birds: the blueprint for a new generation of flying machines. Birds can modify the shape of their ...