Podcast Episodes
Back to Search
Sizing Up Sharp-shinned Hawks
Sharp-shinned Hawks are swift, bird-catching predators. The male is jay-sized. The female stands a head taller and weighs almost twice as much. Femal…
8 months, 3 weeks ago
'What is a birder?' with Rosemary Mosco
Rosemary Moscoe’s latest book is a tongue-in-cheek guide that defines many of the terms that you might hear on a bird outing, like calling a particul…
8 months, 3 weeks ago
Shorebirds Watch Their Feet
Greater Yellowlegs — not surprisingly — have bright yellow legs and feet. And why? While foraging through shallow water, a yellowlegs can keep track …
8 months, 4 weeks ago
Canada Jays Save Food for Later
While camping in the mountains, you might see this Canada Jay (formerly known as the Gray Jay — but before that, as the Canada Jay!), boldly swooping…
8 months, 4 weeks ago
How Writer Amy Tan Helps Backyard Birds
Writer Amy Tan’s work is known all over the world. And thanks to her latest best-seller, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, she’s now also known for her d…
9 months ago
The Colors of Chicken Eggs
Except around Easter, chicken eggs usually come in a predictable range of colors: white, brown, and sometimes pale blue or green. Chickens are descen…
9 months ago
The Plover and the Hurricane
Piping Plovers are tiny, sand-colored shorebirds that nest on the beach. They’re threatened in much of their range. But plovers have gotten a boost f…
9 months ago
Pigeon Guillemots Have Fun
Although many seabirds utter groans and croaks, the Pigeon Guillemot produces a lovely series of trills and whistles. As part of their courtship, the…
9 months ago
Why Are Blackbirds Black?
Why are blackbirds black? One possible answer is that black is conspicuous against just about all of Nature's backgrounds. Blackbirds, like this floc…
9 months ago
How Nestlings Leave the Nest
Young birds leave their nests in different ways. Some shuffle tentatively along the nearest branch and practice flapping their wings, while others ta…
9 months ago