Podcast Episodes
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Starlings and Roman Divination
European Starlings were present in great numbers in ancient Rome. They swarmed in massive flocks or murmurations — thousands of individuals cascading…
1 year, 2 months ago
Remembering Martha: The Last Passenger Pigeon
In the early 1800s, the Passenger Pigeon was one of the most abundant bird species in North America — possibly the world. But by 1910, the last survi…
1 year, 2 months ago
Highways as Habitat for Hawks
In 1956, the Eisenhower Administration announced plans for the nation’s new interstate highway system. Planners foresaw 41,000 miles of superior high…
1 year, 2 months ago
Fruit as a Bribe
In summer, many shrubs bear fruit that birds find irresistible. Elderberries, serviceberries, blackberries, dogwood berries, mulberries, and currants…
1 year, 2 months ago
What Do Desert Birds Drink?
In the desert Southwest, water can be scarce. Yet some birds, like this Black-throated Sparrow, thrive in a scorching landscape. The birds obtain moi…
1 year, 2 months ago
How High Do Birds Fly?
For the majority of the year, most birds stay under 500 feet. During migration, many species fly at 2,000 to 5,000 feet or above, using prevailing wi…
1 year, 2 months ago
Letter to an Eastern Wood-Pewee
In this episode, ornithologist J. Drew Lanham reads a letter he has written to a wood-pewee, a flycatcher with an “understatedly simple and definitiv…
1 year, 2 months ago
Long-billed Curlews Whistle from the Sky
Long-billed Curlews are the largest shorebirds in North America. In his courtship display, the male Long-billed Curlew flies a series of arcs across …
1 year, 2 months ago
Slowing Down and Observing Female Birds
The colorful feathers and loud songs of male songbirds often catch a birder’s attention first. Observing females often means birding more slowly, not…
1 year, 2 months ago
David Sibley – Sketching and Painting Impressions
David Sibley’s paintings connect millions of people with the lives of birds. His talent in observing and portraying birds culminated in The Sibley Gu…
1 year, 2 months ago