On a remote, crescent-shaped island surrounded by crystal-clear ocean live some of the most plastic-contaminated birds in the world. They have bellies so full of fragments, they crunch when touched.

It was a quiet summer for bird flu: Egg prices fell a bit, fewer sick poultry flocks were culled on farms, and officials took a breath. “It was lovely,” said Shauna Voss, the assistant director of the ...

Where it lives: Steppes and meadows in Asia, notably China, India, Japan, Korea and Russia. It's also found in Africa and parts of Europe. Some populations are migratory. What it eats: Seeds of ...

Aly Lopez was a writer on the sleep and wellness team at CNET. She tested, researched and reviewed sleep and health-related products, technology and trends. She received her bachelor's degree in ...