While birds are fast asleep, their brains remain active, firing off electrical signals that can mimic those that occur while they’re awake and singing. This silent brain activity can even make the ...

Have you ever looked up at a bird sleeping on a tree branch and wondered how it does not simply tumble off? The bird may look completely relaxed, its eyes closed and its body resting quietly, yet its ...

A few weeks ago when I was out cycling with some friends, we saw a few birds who looked like they were sleeping. Someone asked me what they were doing, and I said they were resting or sleeping but I'd ...

We've all had a bad night's sleep, with a snoring partner, a crying baby or neighbors having too much fun. Sleep disturbances are common and have unpleasant consequences the day after, including ...

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in February 2018. Free time is dangerous for me. I ponder imponderable questions, like “Do birds sleep?” Well, yes, but not the same way we do, and ...

The benefits of sleep are shared across the animal kingdom. Sleep saves energy by slowing down the metabolism and allows animals to avoid high-energy activities. For vertebrates, sleep is an essential ...

Maddy has a degree in biochemistry from the University of York and specializes in reporting on health, medicine, and genetics. Maddy has a degree in biochemistry from the University of York and ...