Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'feathers'

Proud Lyrebird Steps Up To The Microphone

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 01:22:00 EST

The pheasant-sized superb lyrebird doesn't look like much until you get to its tail. Sixteen feathers create a gorgeous pinnacle of lacy white and brown filaments shaped like the ancient musical instrument the lyre.

Lorraine Feather: Songs for the Little Things

Sat, 17 May 2008 07:00:00 EDT

The daughter of famed jazz journalist and producer Leonard Feather first tried to make a career as a stage actress. That's when she started to translate her minor aggravations into song lyrics — and singing them.

Pierre Sheds Wet Suit for Real Penguin Suit

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:28:00 EDT

After beginning to go bald in 2006, a penguin in San Francisco was fitted with a wet suit — and started to re-grow his feathers. Pam Schaller, a senior aquatic biologist at the California Academy of Sciences, shares Pierre's remarkable story.

Matchmaker Specializes in Feathered Companions

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:00:00 EDT

What's clicking on the BPP blog, including a video from producer Win Rosenfeld that introduces a pet salesmen in New York who carefully screens candidates for his prize birds.

Appreciating and Protecting the 'Life of the Skies'

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:14:00 EST

As spring bird migrations start, avid birders are gathering with their binoculars to view the transition. But a new book warns that the beauty and variety of these feathered friends is threatened by the very people who admire them.

Leading Democrats May Forgo Early Michigan Vote

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:01:00 EDT

When Michigan moved up its primary to Jan. 15, the move ruffled feathers in Iowa and New Hampshire, and as those states push votes in their states even earlier, several leading Democrats are trying to pull their names off the Michigan ballot.

Crow Cam Captures Creative Behavior in the Wild

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:57:00 EDT

Tiny cameras taped to the tail feathers of wild crows are giving scientists a new perspective on the bird's behavior. Researchers have been able to observe the birds using tools as they forage.

U.S. Attorney in Texas Ruffles Feathers

Tue, 29 May 2007 13:44:00 EDT

U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton of San Antonio is very unpopular in some circles. His critics call him "Johnny Satan" and wish he had been among the prosecutors fired last year.

Apes Will Choose Names for New Neighbors

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 19:05:00 EDT

A pair of trumpeter swans have joined bonobo apes living at a research facility in Iowa. Besides being neighborly, the apes are expected to name their feathered friends.

Jewish Settlers Ruffle Feathers with Hebron Move

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 06:00:00 EDT

Some Jewish settlers have moved into a large building in the West Bank city of Hebron. They say they bought the building from its Palestinian owners. Israel's defense minister says the settlers didn't get permission to move in and will have to leave.

'Feathers' Looks to Sixth Grade for Life's Lessons

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 04:29:00 EDT

Life for the character Frannie in Jacqueline Woodson's new novel, Feathers, takes a bit of a turn when a new kid who looks like a white Jesus joins her predominately black sixth-grade class.

Conservapedia: Data for Birds of a Political Feather...

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 15:53:00 EDT

For conservative computer users who find the online encyclopedia Wikipedia to harbor too many values that conflict with their own, a new site awaits. Conservapedia founder Andy Schlafly says the new site is an alternative to Wikipedia and what he deems to be a liberal bias. Robert Siegel talks with Schlafly.

My Katonah... Martha Stewart Ruffles Feathers

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 18:37:00 EST

Some residents of the hamlet of Katonah , N.Y., are miffed that their neighbor, Martha Stewart, is trying to trademark the village's name. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is selling some furniture as part of a "Katonah Collection." The company has said Stewart named the line to honor her new hometown. But not everyone feels honored.

Overcoming Dyslexia, and Turning a Corner in Life

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 06:30:00 EST

"A parrot flies along, the parrot lands on a car, the car explodes, and the smoke and feathers rise in a figure 8." To many people, that may sound like a cartoon panel. To Sean Plasse, it was a tool for recalling the word "polycarbonate." Plasse was crippled by dyslexia -- until he found new ways to cope.

Homey Intimacy, Soaked in Strings

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 12:37:00 EDT

Often recalling the rustic delicacy of Iron and Wine -- if it were soaked in strings and robbed of some of its stark clarity -- Horse Feathers' music radiates homey intimacy, as Peter Broderick fleshes out Justin Ringle's voice and guitar with all manner of warmly unamplified instrumentation.

The Stills: Out with the Old

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 15:28:00 EDT

Without Feathers was released in March and revealed a new sound for The Stills -- one heavily influenced by rootsy '70s rock bands, while still retaining traces of the style that won the group exposure in the first place.

Groucho the Parrot Ruffles Feathers

Sat, 29 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EDT

A parrot named Groucho sang to members of the Pennsylvania State Senate this week. At least one lawmaker wasn't amused.

Feathered Star Missing as 'Ducktastic!' Debuts

Sat, 22 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Theater producer David Pugh's Ducktastic! has opened in London's West End, though the show's star -- Daphne -- turned up missing two days before opening night. Who or what could lie behind the disappearance?

Reason Behind the Rhyme: 'Yankee Doodle'

Sat, 22 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EDT

Most of us can sing the dance tune "Yankee Doodle" without too much trouble. But why is a feather called "macaroni"? Chris Roberts, author of Heavy Words Lightly Thrown: The Reason Behind the Rhyme, returns to explain.

Ice-Box Art: Hot Words in the French Quarter

Sun, 16 Oct 2005 00:00:00 EDT

In New Orleans' exuberant French Quarter, even a discarded refrigerator can be a canvas for artistic or political expression. Residents have begun dressing up their cast-off coolers with feathers, bow ribbons, and enough cold commentary to give a political leader the chills.

Tropical Bird Courts By Drumming

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 00:00:00 EDT

The small and colorful manakin has perplexed scientists for more than century. New research shows how this strange bird that fascinated Charles Darwin makes sound during courtship -- not with song, but by beating itself with its feathers.

'The Death of Environmentalism'

Fri, 18 Mar 2005 00:00:00 EST

Has the environmental movement become just another special interest group? Late last year, two authors released a paper at the October 2004 meeting of the Environmental Grantmakers Association arguing that the days of true environmentalism were behind us. The paper, later republished by Grist Magazine, ruffled feathers in the environmental community.

Study: Feathered Friends Are Not Bird-Brained

Thu, 03 Feb 2005 00:00:00 EST

NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to Ira Flatow, host of Talk of the Nation Science Friday, about a study challenging the wisdom of the epithet "bird-brained." The research indicates that birds' brains are far from primitive.

Retelling the Tale of the Feather Trade

Sun, 28 Nov 2004 00:00:00 EST

An article in Audubon Magazine recalls the 19th century effort that ended the feather trade. Until a public outcry stopped the practice, thousands of birds across North America were slaughtered to provide decorations for women's hats. Hear Jennifer Price, author of the article, and NPR's Jennifer Ludden.

Polly Rhythm, the Feathered Prima Donna

Wed, 24 Nov 2004 00:00:00 EST

Polly Rhythm, the Feathered Prima Donna November 24, 2004 · With lungs that even the most powerful soprano would envy, Polly Rhythm -- a 37-year-old parrot -- can mimic and sing opera. He sings along with the Queen of the Night's aria from Mozart's "The Magic Flute."