Migratory seabirds make Jamaica Bay Wildlife Sanctuary a popular place for bird fanatics and other nature lovers. But Hurricane Sandy took its toll, wiping away boardwalks, stripping away vegetation, and limiting both bird and human access to this refuge. “Hurricane Sandy: Before and After,” a photo exhibit showcasing the effect of the storm on the park, opens at the Visitors Center this Sunday.

Models painted as birds flock Audubon president David Yarnold. Photo by Diane Bondareff/Invision for The National Audubon Society/AP Images

UPDATE 1/24/13: Kenn Kaufman weighs in with his bird IDs.

At a gala last week, Audubon celebrated two exceptional conservationists. And models were painted as birds. But which species were they supposed to be? Click through to leave your suggestion in the Comments section. Tomorrow, esteemed bird expert Kenn Kaufman will share his thoughts, and then we’ll reveal the actual species. Flock to it!

President Obama days before the election as he toured the region hit by Hurricane Sandy. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama made the news for his silence on climate change for much of the 2012 presidential campaign. That changed in his inaugural address on Monday. In a move that heartened many environmentalists, he said that climate change is not a subject he can ignore in his second term.

Birds Make the Art has been on hiatus for a couple months, but we’re back now. And today we’ve got some really fascinating stuff. One of our artists is a drawing student. Another creates upcycled vintage jewelry. The third makes stain glass. We just love the endless possibilities when these two worlds come together.

A composite image of quail eggs on sand. Which ones do you think are camouflaged best? (Photo courtesy of Lovell et al., Current Biology)

Japanese quail try to protect their colorful eggs from predators by using a form of customized camouflage, according to a new study in the journal Current Biology. Each quail chooses where to lay her uniquely colored and patterned eggs based on where they blend in best with their surroundings.

Photo: Smithsonian's National Zoo/ CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Every week we post a funny animal photo that’s begging for a caption. Join in the fun! You’ve got til 11:59 pm (Eastern time) on Sunday to enter your suggestion (click “Read more” below). On Monday we’ll choose our three favorite captions and list them under the image.

Credit: Teddy Llovet/CC BY-NC 2.0 

Early each year, when snow still covers the ground and most migratory birds haven’t yet begun their journey north, great horned owls are already starting to nest around the country.

In these frigid winter months males hoot for females—hoo-hoo hoooooo hoo-hoo—swelling their white bibs and bowing around any ladies they attract. If the male catches her fancy, they seal the deal by both bowing and hooting at each other; the birds will remain mates for years or even the rest of their lives. 

After many tough head-to-head competitions in our Soaring Sixteen, Egret Eight, and Feathered Four rounds, we’ve finally made it to the championship of Bird Madness. Thanks for casting nearly 2,500 votes and making this tournament such a success! We can’t wait to see which of these two amazing images you crown your People’s Choice Bird Madness Winner.

A flock of black-headed gulls from Siberia have found a welcoming winter home in the Chinese city of Kunming

Mallard ducklings. Photo: Phil Gates

UPDATE 1/14/2013: The ducklings are irresistable and so were your captions! We couldn't choose just three finalists, so we give you four.