Best Birds Podcasts (2025)

1
Kenon Walker, Duckmaster 5:06

3h ago5:06

5:06

Kenon Walker got one of the most unusual job offers you can get: be the Duckmaster of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. That means he would lead the hotel’s five ducks on a daily march to the fountain in the lobby, a bizarre and beloved tradition that draws visitors from all over. But when he was first offered the job, Kenon was hesitant to take it bec…

1
#1,023 Feb. 2, 2025 30:00

18h ago30:00

30:00

On our latest show: the silently gliding Short-eared Owl; Mike’s advice on helping birds find your feeders; and the first-ever Blind Birders Bird-a-Thon.By Ray Brown's Talkin' Birds

1
Small Birds Mob Big Ones 1:40

1d ago1:40

1:40

When smaller birds join forces to ward off larger birds, it's called mobbing. This behavior — like calling your family for help — is used by many bird species. The best time to observe mobbing is spring and early summer, when breeding birds are trying to protect their nests and young. Birds including swallows, blackbirds, and even these American Cr…

1
Cooperative Breeding in Birds 58:55

1d ago58:55

58:55

In this episode—which is number 110—Ivan explores the fascinating world of cooperative breeding in birds, a system in which multiple adults help raise young in a group setting. He begins with an intriguing story from the Kalahari Desert, where Southern Pied-Babblers resort to “chicknapping” during droughts to bolster their flock size. Ivan then bro…

1
RELOADED EP77 | Estimating Annual Waterfowl Harvest Part 1 of 3 28:15

2d ago28:15

28:15

Waterfowl hunters harvest 12–14 million ducks and 3 million geese annually in the U.S. The process used to estimate annual waterfowl harvest has several components and relies on the cooperation and participation by State wildlife agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and most importantly waterfowl hunters. Drs. Kathy Fleming and Paul Paddin…

1
Winter Birds Love Suet 1:38

2d ago1:38

1:38

Birds at a suet feeder... What a burst of vitality on a chilly morning! What's the attraction? A cake of suet, suspended from a branch in a small wire feeder. Suet is beef fat, a high-energy food critical for birds' survival in the colder months. Suet is an especially strong magnet for birds (including this Northern Flicker) that eat lots of bugs i…

1
Ep. 657 - The Art of Decoy Collecting: A Conversation with John Southworth 1:01:25

4d ago1:01:25

1:01:25

In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited Podcast, host Katie Burke talks with John Southworth, president of the Minnesota Decoy Collectors Association, to explore the fascinating world of waterfowl decoys. John shares how his passion for decoys began as a child, sparked by his dad bringing home treasures from antique shops and yard sales. Though he s…

1
Alpine Swifts Fly Nonstop 1:45

3d ago1:45

1:45

How long can a bird fly without touching the earth? To find out, Swiss scientists attached sensors to Alpine Swifts. The sensors showed long periods when the swifts were gliding and not flapping their wings. Were the birds asleep? Scientists don’t know for sure. It could be that Alpine Swifts sleep during the summer breeding season — and don’t slee…

1
Ep. 656 - Species Profile: Common Eider, Part 1 1:13:18

4d ago1:13:18

1:13:18

Common eiders are the largest duck in the Northern Hemisphere, with some tipping the scales at nearly 6 pounds. They are also the most widely distributed and heavily harvested sea duck in the world. In North America alone, there are 4 subspecies of the common eider. On this episode, Dr. Sarah Gutowsky and Kate Martin join Dr. Mike Brasher for Part …

1
09-05: This Month in Birding - January 2025 59:35

4d ago59:35

59:35

Welcome to the new year! For this month's This Month in Birding, we welcome an all star panel of naturalists and writers to talk about the month's bird news. Rebecca Heisman, Dexter Patterson, and Sarah Swanson join host Nate Swick to talk about loons, mosquito killing birds, cold weather birding tips, and much more! Links to items discussed in thi…

1
The Harpy Eagle Is a Huge, Powerful Hunter 1:45

4d ago1:45

1:45

Harpy Eagles spend their lives in tall, remote tropical forests in Central and South America, flying from tree to tree in search of food. The eagles are named for the Harpies of Greek mythology, women with the bodies of birds who, on Zeus’s command, snatched people from the earth. Since it takes many months for a nestling to mature, Harpy Eagles ra…

1
The Verdin’s Winter Roosts 1:32

5d ago1:32

1:32

For small songbirds, surviving a cold winter night can be challenging. Their bodies lose heat faster than those of larger birds. So little birds have found resourceful ways to stay warm — like huddling close together with other birds. But the Verdin, a tiny bird of the Southwest, does something few other birds do to keep warm: it builds extra nests…

1
The Completely Made-Up Story of Frederick the Nighthawk and Sneakers the Blue Jay 5:52

5d ago5:52

5:52

For a while in the 90s, Laura had two licensed education birds, a nighthawk and a Blue Jay, both lovable but entirely different. They inspired this story, written in 2020.

1
Ep. 655 - Exploring Conservation Partnerships: Dallas Safari Club Convention & Sporting Expo 30:42

6d ago30:42

30:42

In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Matt Harrison is joined by Chad Ledford, the Director of Development in Georgia, as they discuss the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) Convention taking place in Atlanta, Georgia. With DSC's annual event moving to the Southeast for the next four years, the collaboration between Ducks Unlimited and DSC is …

1
Kentucky Warbler 1:41

6d ago1:41

1:41

Kentucky Warblers nest in forested regions in much of the East, preferring woodlands with a dense understory, often near streams or other wetlands. These birds can use our help. As their forest habitat shrinks, it’s easier for Brown-headed Cowbirds to find and parasitize the warblers’ nests. While migrating, they are easy prey for domestic cats, so…

1
Spark Bird: Christian Cooper’s Red-Winged Blackbird 1:45

7d ago1:45

1:45

Christian Cooper wasn’t always interested in birds. His parents were teachers, his dad a science teacher, so nature was always part of his life. When he was a kid, his parents made him take a woodshop class, where he had to build something. So he decided to build a birdfeeder and hang it in his backyard. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Wa…

1
Staying Healthy While Birding in Other Countries 4:44

7d ago4:44

4:44

Laura's stayed healthy while birding in Central and South America, Europe, and Africa thanks to the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, and the National Institutes of Health.

1
#1,022 Jan. 26, 2025 30:00

8d ago30:00

30:00

On our latest show: a bird that fits right in with the big snowfalls in unlikely places; a Science Corner report on birds communicating during nighttime migration flights; and Mike’s explainer about mixed flocks.By Ray Brown's Talkin' Birds

1
Dowitchers Get a Second Wind 1:29

8d ago1:29

1:29

The two American species of dowitchers, Long-billed and Short-billed, are similar in appearance but have distinctive calls. And they’re some of the continent’s most dramatic songsters. On their northern breeding grounds, Short-billed Dowitchers ascend as high as 150 feet in the air then glide slowly earthward, singing. At the end of the glide, they…

1
RELOADED EP66 | How Fast Can They Fly and Other Insights From GPS Telemetry 31:59

9d ago31:59

31:59

We’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes: EP66 How Fast Can They Fly and Other Insights From GPS Telemetry. If you missed it the first time or want to enjoy it again, now’s your chance! Mike Casazza rejoins the show to continue our discussion about cutting edge radio telemetry and its importance to waterfowl science. Specific topics on this ep…

1
Following the Honeyguide 1:45

9d ago1:45

1:45

The Greater Honeyguide's demanding call is not aimed at a member of its own species. Instead, the bird guides people in search of honey through the forest, directly to bee hives. The bird flies to a colony of bees living in a hollow tree. The human follower exposes the hive with an ax and takes much of the honeycomb. Then the honeyguide moves in to…

1
Rhea Nesting Is Mind-boggling 1:33

10d ago1:33

1:33

A typical bird nest will have maybe four to six eggs neatly arranged by the parent to hunker down on. But in one Rhea nest, you may find between 50 and 80 eggs! And they’re not all from the same set of parents. Male Rheas mate with several females and then build a single nest on the ground to hold all the eggs from each of them. Listen to this epis…

1
Ep. 654 - Navigating Hazards: River Duck Hunting Stories with Jim Ronquest 48:54

12d ago48:54

48:54

In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Dr. Jerad Henson and co-host Dr. Mike Brasher discuss the concluding days of duck season in the Southern states, highlighting the impact of recent cold weather on duck migration patterns. Joining the conversation is special guest, Jim Ronquest, a seasoned river hunter, who shares his insights and…

1
09-04: From Dinos to Birds with Christopher DiPiazza 53:45

11d ago53:45

53:45

For many of us, an interest in birds and nature started with an interest in dinosaurs. Which is approriate since that's the path modern birds took when they became birds. We still don't know a lot about how dinosaurs looked and lived, but it stands to reason that if one were looking to recreate things that came before and are no longer with us that…

1
Moonwalking Manakins 1:44

11d ago1:44

1:44

The Golden-headed Manakin is a tiny bird with dance moves that would turn a pop star green with envy. Johanne Ryan, a nature educator who lives in Trinidad, describes this bird’s remarkable breeding display, which features a moonwalk and tail-flicks. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. S…

1
Listening From Inside the Egg 1:36

12d ago1:36

1:36

Shorebird chicks hatch into a dangerous world, so they need to be vigilant from the start. Researchers in Australia noticed that some shorebird chicks began chirping in their final days in the egg. The chirps fell silent when the researchers played recordings of a Little Raven, which hunts for young birds. The finding suggests the chicks are listen…

1
Ep. 653 - Scattered Ashes, Hybrid Ducks, and Bomb Cyclones in the Pacific Flyway 42:31

14d ago42:31

42:31

The DU Podcast finally connects with our friends in the West, as Dr. Mike Brasher speaks with Dr. Fritz Reid, Dr. Dan Smith, Kelly Warren, and Kyle Spragens to hear about waterfowl migration, habitat conditions, and hunting stories from the Pacific Flyway. From California to Washington, reports suggest an overall “hit or miss” season, with sporadic…

1
Spark Bird: Corina Newsome Meets the Blue Jay 1:45

13d ago1:45

1:45

In an ornithology class in college, Corina Newsome was introduced to the Blue Jay. After this, Newsome was determined to learn about the world of birds she had never noticed before. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNo…

1
BB Update 5:44

13d ago5:44

5:44

BB the banded Pileated Woodpecker still visits Laura's yard now and then.

1
Pigeons Can Correct Their Mistakes Like AI 1:45

14d ago1:45

1:45

Birds have to be smart to survive — but their minds often work a little differently than ours do. In a new study, researchers trained pigeons to identify different types of shapes, peck a button to give their answers, and receive a treat for the correct response. The pigeons learned to fix their mistakes over time, but not by learning their shapes …

1
A Great American President 8:34

14d ago8:34

8:34

Jimmy Carter did not fail us. We failed him. (I used Lang Elliott's recording of a Brown Thrasher, the state bird of Georgia, for this program.)

1
#1,021 Jan. 19, 2025 30:00

15d ago30:00

30:00

Here's our sort of mid-January installment with a guest making us think we shouldn't complain about the temperatures around here -- she's in Denver, where it was 3-below this morning.On our latest show: We meet the “Chick Chick” from way up north; we learn about what plastic pellets are doing to our oceans; and we get Mike’s advice for your backyar…

1
The Beauty of Webbed Feet 1:36

15d ago1:36

1:36

Webbed feet are ideal for birds that swim, on the water’s surface or under. In fact, they’re such a nifty adaptation that they evolved, independently, in several bird groups. Ducks and geese, gulls, cormorants, loons, pelicans, penguins, puffins and boobies all have webbed feet. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscrib…

1
RELOADED EP65 | Radio Telemetry In Waterfowl Research 36:01

16d ago36:01

36:01

We’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes: EP65 Radio Telemetry In Waterfowl Research. If you missed it the first time or want to enjoy it again, now’s your chance! Since its introduction to wildlife research in the mid-20th century, radio telemetry has enabled scientists and conservationists to understand waterfowl behaviors and ecology at lev…

1
Powder Down 1:45

16d ago1:45

1:45

Hidden below the outer breast feathers of herons, pigeons, doves, tinamous, bustards and some parrots are patches of special down feathers. These feathers are never molted, and they grow continuously. The tips break down into a dust the consistency of talcum powder. Using a fringed claw on its middle toe, a heron collects some of the dust — or powd…

1
Storm-Petrels: Myth and Reality 1:42

17d ago1:42

1:42

Sailors once believed Wilson’s Storm-Petrels foretold a dangerous tempest. There might be a grain of truth: the tiny seabirds might find a little shelter from the gusts near a ship. Wilson’s Storm-Petrels are found in every ocean. When foraging, their feet patter across the surface, stirring up prey. Their fondness for feeding in cold, salty water …

1
Ep. 652 - Behind the Scenes of 'The Craft': A Conversation with Marty Hanson and Jodi Marler 57:49

19d ago57:49

57:49

In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited Podcast, host Katie Burke welcomes back master decoy carver Marty Hanson and introduces Jody Marler from Fishcamp Creative. They discuss the art of decoy carving and share insights about their collaborative documentary, "The Craft." Tune in to hear about the creative process behind decoy carving, the significa…

1
09-03: Take It or Leave It - Mentorship, Rarity Reports, and Cameras for Beginners 54:29

18d ago54:29

54:29

It's cold outside and that calls for some hot birding takes. We've collected some for another edition of Take It or Leave It, the discussion panel for the most opinionated birders. This time we welcome Chris Sloan and Martha Harbison to talk about mentorship in the internet age, whether birders underappreciate Canada, and what would it take to get …

1
The Haunting Voice of the Common Loon 1:45

18d ago1:45

1:45

The call of the Common Loon brings to mind a summer visit to northern lakes. A "yodel" call is given by a male on his breeding territory. With his neck outstretched, the male waves his head from side to side, sending his eerie calls across forests and open water. The yodel entices females and asserts a claim of territory. Nothing common about this …

1
Owl Irruption 6:28

18d ago6:28

6:28

Northern owls are staging an irruption this year, many of them physically stressed. Birders can't help but want to see them. If birders stick together and stay on the road, most owls can handle birders and photographers.

1
Why Do Grebes Eat Their Feathers? 1:41

19d ago1:41

1:41

Eared Grebes eat brine shrimp and aquatic insects for sustenance, but rigid exoskeletons make them hard to digest. So these grebes – along with their other grebe cousins – evolved to use their feathers as a way to slow down digestion. The feathers form dense balls in the digestive tract and appear to slow the passage of food long enough that the fo…

1
Ep. 651 - Hunting the Great Salt Lake with Barstool Outdoors: Thrills and Conservation 1:00:16

21d ago1:00:16

1:00:16

Sydnie Wells, Jack Orlandi, and Luke Corniea from Barstool Outdoors join host Matt Harrison to share their exciting waterfowl hunts on the Great Salt Lake. From airboat rides to coffin blinds and black silhouettes, they dive into the unique experience of this incredible region. Midway through the episode, biologist Coryna Hebert and Dr. Mike Brashe…

1
Great Horned Owls Nest 1:37

20d ago1:37

1:37

High in a leafless cottonwood, a female Great Horned Owl incubates two eggs. As light snow falls on her back, her mate roosts nearby. Since December, this pair has been hooting back and forth regularly at night. Great Horned Owls nest in winter, because the owlets, which hatch after a month of incubation, must remain near their parents a long time …

1
Different Beaks, Different Foods 1:45

21d ago1:45

1:45

For some birds like hermit hummingbirds, the difference between sexes starts with the beak. Females hermit hummingbirds typically have curved bills while males wield straighter ones. Because the two sexes are better at drinking nectar from flowers that match their respective beak shape, males and females of the same species don’t compete with each …

1
#1,020 Jan. 12, 2025 30:00

22d ago30:00

30:00

On our latest show: A rare sighting in an Audio Postcard from Arkansas; a preview of the big San Diego Bird Festival; and Mike O’Connor’s thoughts about hummingbirds up north in January.By Ray Brown's Talkin' Birds

1
The Robin's Namesake 1:37

22d ago1:37

1:37

Like the American Robin, the European Robin is a bird of yards and gardens. But it’s not much bigger than a chickadee. The robin’s likeness turns up everywhere from Mother Goose rhymes, Peter Rabbit stories, and whiskey labels to postage stamps and Christmas cards. On at least two occasions, the “Robin Red-Breast” has won the popular vote to become…

1
From the Field: Birding Nepal and Bhutan 1:00:00

23d ago1:00:00

1:00:00

The final installment of "From the Field" episodes from Ivan's 2.5-month journey through Asia. In this episode he describes his experiences in the Himalayan countries of Nepal and Bhutan. ~~ Leave me a review using Podchaser ~~ Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the showBy Ivan Phillipsen

1
A Swirl of Snow Geese 1:45

23d ago1:45

1:45

Snow Geese nest from far northeastern Russia to Greenland, in the arctic and subarctic. They winter in large flocks on the deltas of rivers in northwestern Washington, areas along the Eastern Seaboard, and throughout the Mississippi Flyway. Watching Snow Geese in flight, author and naturalist Barry Lopez described them, "as if the earth had opened …

1
Winter Brings Falcons 1:29

24d ago1:29

1:29

A Merlin hunts boldly from a high perch. A Peregrine Falcon dives on a hapless pigeon, with an air speed approaching 200 miles per hour. The Gyrfalcon can fly down even the fastest waterfowl in a direct sprint. A Prairie Falcon blends in with its background. And the smallest North American falcon of all, the American Kestrel, hovers a field, watchi…

1
09-02: Rehabilitation For the Birds with Tim Jasinski 46:01

25d ago46:01

46:01

Modern optics give birders the opportunities to feel as though they are up close and personal with the bird we watch, but nothing we experience through binoculars compares to the experience with birds that wildlife rehabbers get to enjoy. Rehabilitators not only get to know birds on the individual level, but they get broader insight into the impact…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Birds Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide