Podcast Episodes
Back to Search
Fishing with Least Bitterns
The smallest heron in the U.S. by far is the Least Bittern, at just 10 to 12 inches tall. Watching for prey, bitterns lean forward while pulling their long necks back — like drawing a bowstring. Thei…
Published on 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Woodpeckers Wage Wars
Acorn Woodpeckers live in family groups of up to 15 individuals. Over time, if enough birds die off, an opportunity arises for unrelated birds to join the group and obtain a mate. Then, battles known…
Published on 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Of Grouse and Gizzards
During winter, the Greater Sage-Grouse is wholly reliant on its namesake species — sagebrush — for both shelter and for food. Scientists call this bird "sagebrush obligate," meaning it needs this pla…
Published on 11 months, 2 weeks ago
BirdNoir: Vultures Come to Town
On this episode of BirdNoir, the Mayor of Bricksville calls the Private Eye with a bit of a problem. “Several dozen giant bird-punks loitering on top of City Hall!” The detective figures out the most…
Published on 11 months, 2 weeks ago
Wing-clapping
For most birds, wings are for flying. But for Rock Pigeons, they’re also for clapping. When the pigeons erupt into flight, some may slap their wings together above their bodies in a “wing clap.” A ma…
Published on 11 months, 2 weeks ago
How Writer Amy Tan Fell in Love with Birds
Amy Tan is a world-renowned writer of fiction and non-fiction. She’s best-known for her 1989 novel, The Joy Luck Club, which was later adapted into a movie. Her latest book, The Backyard Bird Chronic…
Published on 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Spark Bird: Drew Lanham Takes Flight
Acclaimed ornithologist and writer J. Drew Lanham’s obsession with birds began when he was a kid, when he wished to take flight alongside them. He tried out cardboard wings and an umbrella, trying to…
Published on 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Neurodivergence is an Asset for Project FeederWatch
Since 1976, Project FeederWatch has been through many changes, but what has remained is the dedication to collecting data that improves bird science. Dr. Ashley Dayer is a conservation scientist who …
Published on 11 months, 3 weeks ago
One Species Caring for Another
In North America, the European Starling has gained a bad reputation for competing with native bird species for nest cavities. But researchers in Ontario, Canada, were surprised to see three Hairy Woo…
Published on 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Partial Migration – Killdeer Play Leap Frog
The cries of a Killdeer are familiar across most of the U.S. during spring and summer. But where do they go in winter? Killdeer that breed in the southern half of the US and along the Pacific Coast a…
Published on 11 months, 3 weeks ago