Podcast Episodes

Silly Willow Ptarmigan

Some bird songs leave us in admiration of their beauty, some with a sense of wonder at their complexity—and others are downright comical. As a maker of silly sounds, the male Willow Ptarmigan beats t…

Published on 2 weeks, 6 days ago

Birds Crossing the Pacific

Over 12,000 miles across at its widest point, you might think the Pacific Ocean is a barrier that even high-flying birds can’t cross. Think again – some species make the trip every year as part of th…

Published on 3 weeks ago

Migration Routes Evolve

Why do birds consistently follow certain routes in their migrations? Pathways of migration evolved, shaped by the wind. During the height of the last ice age, ice-free breeding habitat for songbirds …

Published on 3 weeks, 1 day ago

Stand-still Birding

While full-speed-ahead birding can mean spotting a large number of species, there's quiet joy in stand-still birding. Pick a place-forest, field, or marsh. Find a seat that's dry, and hold your binoc…

Published on 3 weeks, 2 days ago

A Closer Look at Sparrows

At first glance, many of the sparrows in North America look pretty much the same: like small, drab-colored songbirds hanging out on the ground. But these “little brown jobs” can be fun to identify if…

Published on 3 weeks, 3 days ago

Migrations: The Triumphant Comeback of the Aleutian Cackling Goose

Aleutian Cackling Geese, which have a slighter build and shorter beak than Canada Geese, build their nests on a chain of islands off the western coast of Alaska. In the 1700s, fur traders introduced …

Published on 3 weeks, 4 days ago

Migrations: Veeries Predict Hurricanes

In some years, tawny-colored thrushes called Veeries cut their breeding season short. Researchers discovered that Veeries tend to stop breeding early in the same years that the Atlantic hurricane sea…

Published on 3 weeks, 5 days ago

Nineteen Owls

Owls have a reputation for hooting and hunting at night. But when you take a look – and listen – to the 19 species that live in the U.S. and Canada, it’s clear that these raptors defy stereotypes.

Mor…

Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago

Creating an Inviting Habitat

Bird feeders and birdbaths are great ways to attract birds to your yard, but they aren’t the only ways to entice our feathered friends. Planting an area densely with native shrubs, trees, and other v…

Published on 4 weeks ago

The First North American Wildlife Refuge

In the center of Oakland, California, is Lake Merritt. People row in it, picnic and jog around it, and it's a place of respite within the city. And it hosts waterbirds such as ducks, geese, egrets, p…

Published on 4 weeks, 1 day ago