The Birdy Bunch Podcast: Recent Episodes

The Birdy Bunch Podcast

Inspired by their passion for conservation education, three nature enthusiasts use their unique backgrounds and experiences to take a deep dive into the world of ecology and conservation. Join them as they discuss aspects of wildlife across the spectrum- from the latest efforts in local conservation initiatives to the functions and developments in zoos and aquariums. If you’re enthralled by wildlife or eager to learn more about the world around us, then The Birdy Bunch has you covered. Conservation. Education. Fascination. New episodes every Monday morning.

For more information, visit our website: www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com

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Happy Earth Day, Nature Lovers! This week, CJ is joined by Edward Warden from Chicago Ornithological Society and Emily Kenny from Forrest Preserve District of Will County to talk about the City Nature Challenge! Throughout this upcoming weekend Friday April 26 - Monday April 29, participants from over 350 cities across the globe will be competing to upload observations to iNaturalist!

Make sure to get outside this upcoming weekend and participate!

If you're local to the Chicagoland Region, check out Chicago Wilderness Alliance's webpage to find a local event: https://www.chicagowilderness.org/page/CityNatureChallenge

More episodes of The Birdy Bunch Podcast will be coming soon!

For more information, visit our website: www.TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com

Or follow us on Instagram: @TheBirdyBunchPodcast

Thank you to our Patrons for supporting Season 4 of The Birdy Bunch Podcast; visit www.Patreon.com/TheBirdyBunchPodcast to sign up.

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Guess what, Nature Lovers? The Birdy Bunch Podcast is back! This week, CJ is joined by their dear friend and incredible colleague, Henry Adams! Henry is the Wildlife Management Coordinator with the Urban Wildlife Center at Lincoln Park Zoo and joins The Birdy Bunch Podcast to discuss Wildlife Disease Ecology! From birds in the Everglades to amphibians in Costa Rica, Henry has some fun stories to share! In addition, Henry and CJ chat about the Black-crowned Night Heron in this episode's Creature Feature! Make sure to give this episode a listen! If you enjoy this episode and want more from The Birdy Bunch Podcast, make sure to give us a review!

More episodes of The Birdy Bunch Podcast will be coming soon!

For more information, visit our website: www.TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com

Or follow us on Instagram: @TheBirdyBunchPodcast

Thank you to our Patrons for supporting Season 4 of The Birdy Bunch Podcast; visit www.Patreon.com/TheBirdyBunchPodcast to sign up.

Season 4 of The Birdy Bunch Podcast is hosted, edited, and produced by CJ Greco. Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music.

The mission of The Birdy Bunch Podcast is to inspire an inclusive community for conservation by using education to promote fascination.

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Are you outdoorsy or outsidesy, Nature Lovers? In this episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast, CJ chatted with Dr. Brian Peterson, host of the podcast All Bodies Outside! They discuss what it means to spend time in the outdoors, access to green spaces, and all things conservation podcasts! They also talk about some of Brian’s work in understanding human-made noises in national parks! In addition, CJ and Brian feature the charismatic largest squirrel - the marmot! For more information about All Bodies Outside, you can follow the podcast on Instagram, Facebook, or Threads(?!) @AllBodiesOutside or visit the website www.allbodiesoutside.com.

Take the time to get outside today, Nature Lovers!!

Season 4 of The Birdy Bunch Podcast will be posted on the first and the final Mondays of each month! Thanks for listening, nature lovers!

For more information, visit our website: www.TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com

Or follow us on Instagram: @TheBirdyBunchPodcast

Thank you to our Patrons for supporting Season 4 of The Birdy Bunch Podcast; visit www.Patreon.com/TheBirdyBunchPodcast to sign up.

Season 4 of The Birdy Bunch Podcast is hosted, edited, and produced by CJ Greco. Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music.

The mission of The Birdy Bunch Podcast is to inspire an inclusive community for conservation by using education to promote fascination.

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July is Disability Pride Month! For this episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast, CJ is joined by good friend Freya McGregor, owner and founder of Access Birding. Freya and CJ are talking all about access and inclusion in the outdoors, as well as Disability Pride! In addition, we feature the Magnolia Warbler, a small migratory bird that shared an almost magical moment with CJ and Freya! For more information about Freya, visit her website: www.FreyaMcGregor.com or follow her on social media @the.ot.birder . Also, make sure to visit www.AccessBirding.com and follow @Access.Birding on social media for more information about Access Birding!

Season 4 of The Birdy Bunch Podcast will be posted on the first and the final Mondays of each month! Thanks for listening, nature lovers!

For more information, visit our website: www.TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com

Or follow us on Instagram: @TheBirdyBunchPodcast

Thank you to our Patrons for supporting Season 4 of The Birdy Bunch Podcast; visit www.Patreon.com/TheBirdyBunchPodcast to sign up.

Season 4 of The Birdy Bunch Podcast is hosted, edited, and produced by CJ Greco. Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music.

The mission of The Birdy Bunch Podcast is to inspire an inclusive community for conservation by using education to promote fascination.

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Pride month may be over, but The Birdy Bunch Podcast is back!! On our kick-off to Season 4, we’re taking another look at one of our favorite topics - Queer Ecology! CJ is joined by Dani Abboud (they/them) and Jenna John (she/her), who spoke at the Wild Things Conference about Queer Ecology back in February 2023. In addition to thinking about how we can reframe conservation through a new lens, we also discuss the May edition of the Parks Stewardship Forum, and feature our first creature of season four - the lesbian lizard! Thanks again to Dani and Jenna for guesting on this special queer episode!

Season 4 of The Birdy Bunch Podcast will be posted on the first and the final Mondays of each month! Thanks for listening, nature lovers!

For more information, visit our website: www.TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com

Thank you to our Patrons for supporting Season 4 of The Birdy Bunch Podcast; visit www.Patreon.com/TheBirdyBunchPodcast to sign up.

The Birdy Bunch Podcast was created by Matt Valiga & CJ Greco. Season 4 is hosted, edited, and produced by CJ Greco. Thank you to Matt Valiga and Brittany Busleta-Lewandowski for their contributions on previous seasons.

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music.

The mission of The Birdy Bunch Podcast is to inspire an inclusive community for conservation by using education to promote fascination.

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Smashing! It’s our final episode of 2022 and we sure are thankful for all of your support, Nature Lovers! In this fun filled 2022 finale, we have Bob Dolgan join us to talk about his incredible series of documentary films as well as all things birding and media! In addition, CJ features the one of the many birdy stars of Bob’s film “The Magic Stump”, and Brittany shares a current event with us about a new species of sunbird! Make sure to use the code “THANKYOU22” for 15% off everything in our merch store! And with that, we’ll catch ya next year!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

08:45 - Creature Feature            

18:45 - Current Events            

24:58 - Media in Conservation with Bob Dolgan 

01:02:46 - Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. 

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For The Birdy Bunch loved the nature lovers, that we gave you this episode! Don’t sleep on this on, listeners! Instead give it a download to learn all about how animals spend their winters! In addition, Matt features a blue creature known for going fast and CJ talks about a current event involving yetis?! Torpor, hibernation, brumation, oh my! Join us for a fun episode as we start to prepare for our own winter naps!! It’s an episode of The Birdy Bunch you won't want to miss, so tell your friends if they listen they will not be bored, but instead have an everlasting good time.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:07 - Creature Feature            

12:52 - Current Events            

19:09 - Hi-bear-nation! You’ll never believe how these animals spend their winters! Not clickbait! 

33:42 - Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. 

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Let’sa Go! We’re back in the Spooky habit this week, Nature Lovers! It’s time for Spooky Creatures III for our final Episode of this year’s Spooky Bunch! But don’t you worry, even though The Spooky Bunch Poscast is creeping away for the year, it will be back again in 2023, and we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming in just afew weeks. In addition to our Spooky Creatures, Matt features a horrific invertebrate as our creature feature and Brittany tells the tale of new found Cane Toads in New South Wales. It’s the final episode of The Spooky Bunch and it’s certainly got some twists and turns you’ll get shivers from! Ya-hoo!

Make sure to use the code “SPOOKY2022’ for 15% off our merch store!!! Only for the rest of this month!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Spook Intro       

06:57 - Spooky Creature Feature            

13:58 - Spooky Current Events            

20:24 - Spooky Creatures III   

47:17 - Spooky Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music.

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Disaster is here, and we have the lowdown! This week on The Spooky Bunch Podcast, we talk with Debbie Clemens from Orangutan Outreach to talk about deforestation and palm oil! The palm oil industry is greatly impacting some amazing creatures of southeast Asia, including today’s creature feature, one GREAT ape! In addition, Matt tells us about a new bird discovered in southern Chile, and Brittany asks the Bunch about their Halloween costumes! Only one more episode of The Spooky Bunch left, so share this spooky episode with a friend! For more information about Orangutan Outreach, visit redapes.org. 

Make sure to use the code ‘SPOOKY2022’ for 15% off our merch store, now until the end of the spooky season!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Spook Intro       

07:26 - Spooky Creature Feature            

10:45 - Spooky Current Events   

16:11 - Deforestation and Palm Oil with Debbie Clemens   

45:30 - Spooky Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music.

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Welcome back you listeners—you like stories at all? Well we’ve got a lot for you today! Come join us around the campfire for a SPECIAL mid-October episode, where we discuss some of our craziest spooky stories! If you’re frightened, fear not: we also have some scary good jokes as well. Help us celebrate this month, and make sure to share your crazy stories with us as well! And stay safe, spooky lovers—there’s no telling what terrors await you this month. 

Make sure to use the code ‘SPOOKY2022’ for 15% off our merch store, now until the end of the spooky season!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Spook Intro       

05:37 - Spooky Creature Feature            

14:31 - Scary Stories around the Campfire   

45:15 - Spooky Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music.

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You better have your flashlights and headphones ready! This week on The Spooky Bunch Podcast, we are discovering all kinds of spooky sounds to hear in the dark! Join us this week to hear all kinds of scary sounds and learn about the creepy critters that make them! In addition, CJ features a big ol’ creature and Matt shares a current event about habitat fragmentation. Its a super spooky show you definitely don’t want to miss!  If you’re looking to celebrate with us make sure to use our merch code SPOOKY2022 for a discount! 

Timestamps:

00:00 - Spook Intro       

03:49 - Spooky Creature Feature            

10:12 - Spooky Current Events            

19:47 - Spooky Sounds to Hear in the Dark   

37:09 - Spooky Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. 

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Tis the season for frights! Welcome back to the Spooky Bunch Podcast—the Birdy Bunch can’t come to the phone right now, but they’ll be back after October. In the meantime, check out our first Spooky Episode with a special guest: Brittany’s husband, Adam Lewandowski! We’ll be tiering cryptids today, as well as discussing our first spooky creature feature: one so spooky it might be dead! If you’re looking to celebrate with us make sure to use our merch code SPOOKY2022 for a slick discount. And make sure to hide under the covers to protect yourself!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Spook Intro       

06:46 - Spooky Creature Feature            

15:06 - Spooky Current Events            

19:12 - Cryptids III; a Tier List with Adam Lewandowski   

01:19:41 - Spooky Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music.

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Put on your headphones and say congratulations, it's the 100th episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast! Join Brittany, CJ, and Matt as they reminisce on their favorite episodes and listen to messages from former guests and collaborators! We also have a cheeky LITTLE* creature feature that wood fit right in with the celebration! 

Thank you so much for all of your incredible support over the past 100 episodes! We could not have hit this milestone without you! Please share The Birdy Bunch witb your friends and family to continue the celebration! Tag us on social media with your favorite TBB moments  @TheBirdyBunchPodcast !

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. 

*Stick around to the end of the episode for a bonus funny clip cut from our recording!

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What even is a symbiotic relationship? Well, nature lovers, we talk all about them this week on The Birdy Bunch Podcast! Brittany shares some peculiar pairs of animals and we have a good tie ranking them! In addition, Matt creatures a features that his anemone and CJ shares a current event that even Thor is raving about! Give this super fun episode a listen!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:00 - Creature Feature            

08:33 - Current Events                  

19:57 - Symbiotic Relationships; a Tier List  

46:49 - Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music.

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They’re coming…they’re coming…theyre HEREEEEE!!! In case you missed our first episode on Invasive Species, we decided to take another stab at discussing the impacts of invasive species across the world. This time, though, we’re not just telling stories, so make sure to tune in and hear our thoughtful discussion! In addition, we also feature the spotted lanternfly, as well as highlight a message of concern regarding the monarch butterfly. Nonetheless, this one you certainly won’t want to miss, so make sure to check out “Invasive Species II: Electric Boogaloo!”

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:56 - Creature Feature            

10:41 - Current Events                  

16:32 - Invasive Species II  

01:03:05 - Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music.

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Guess what, Nature Lovers? It’s tie for another episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast! This week we’re talking about some of the fascinating national animals from all over the globe! In addition, Matt features a creature that truly symbolizes this ‘great’ nation’ and Brittany shares a current event all about community action and White Rhinos!  Red Tailed Hawk Audio by Paul Marvin.

This episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast is brought to you by our Patreon! Visit patreon.com/thebirdybunchpodcast to sign up today!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:05 - Creature Feature            

13:18 - Current Events            

17:01 - QOTD          

22:33 - National Animals, a Tier List  

56:14 - Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. 

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Hey there, Nature Lovers! On today's episode of the Birdy Bunch Podcast, Matt, CJ, and Brittany talk about all things enrichment with our two guests Emily Cain and Nick Naitove, the cofounders of WildThink. In addition Matt shares a current event all about the endangered Hyacinth Macaw and CJ surprises us with their creature feature the Japanese Macaque. It is an utterly enriching episode that you don’t want to miss! Additionally, don’t forget to check out their website www.WildThink.org to learn more about WildThink, and follow The Birdy Bunch Podcast on social media @thebirdybunchpocast for more updates!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:43 - Creature Feature            

14:47 - Current Events            

23:07 - WildThink with Emily Cain and Nick Naitove   

51:58 - Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. 

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Howdy there nature lovers—today, we bring you another exciting round table discussion with the pod! Join us all as we discuss some current events regarding environmental policy, as well as what we think the roles of law and politics should play within conservation work. In addition, Brittany features a very successfully recovered creature, and CJ tells us all about a very topical current event! This is one you won’t want to miss folks—so tune into this discussion!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:52 - Creature Feature            

12:04 - Current Events            

17:58 - Environmental Policy   

57:35 - Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. 

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Hope you had a good #PRIDE, nature lovers! This week CJ is on the street live from Chicago Pride Fest!! They’re interviewing people all about their experience in nature!! It’s a wonderful episode and something completely new for The Birdy Bunch Podcast. In addition, Brittany is out sick, Matt shares a current event about cetaeans and CJ features the asexual lesbian lizard! Thank you all for celebrating #PRIDE with us!! We will be back for your regularly scheduled Birdy Bunch content on July 11th!! Before then however, make sure to check out this latest installment in The Birdy Bunch #Pride, and use code PRIDE for 15% off all our merch before the end of the month!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:57 - Creature Feature            

12:15 - Current Events            

17:59 - CJ on the Street - Live from Pride   

35:12 - Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music.

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Happy Pride, nature lovers! We’re continuing with our Birdy Bunch #Pride festivities with a revisiting to one of our favorite topics—queer ecology—that we touched upon in season 1! CJ hosts a round table discussion with all of us about what queer ecology is, and it’s importance. In addition, we have a special guest current event: Judy Pollock of Chicago Audubon! Judy brings us some awesome current data surrounding birds in Chicago. If you thought that wasn’t enough, we also feature the mantis shrimp! Make sure to check out this latest installment in the Birdy Bunch #Pride, and use code PRIDE for 15% off all our merch!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:07 - Creature Feature            

09:55 - Current Events            

25:46 - Queer Ecology II   

01:05:05 - Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. 

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PRIDE continues this week, nature lovers! And this week we’re joined by co-founder of Out In Nature, Forrest Cortes. Out In Nature hosts a range of events focused on providing a safe space for queer people to connect and experience nature and the outdoors. In addition, CJ shares a current event about evolution speeding up, and Matt features a bird that is a work of art.  Don’t forget to use the code “PRIDE” for 15% you order in our merch store!!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:18 - Creature Feature            

08:19 - Current Events            

13:55 - Out in Nature    

47:20 - Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. 

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Season 3 starting off with #PRIDE!! Get ready for a full month of Pride related Birdy Bunch content, Nature Lovers!! In this first episode of Pride Month, we discuss some examples of animals breaking away from sexuality and gender norms. In addition, Matt shares a positive outlook in an update on Monty and Rose - the Montrose Beach Piping Plovers, and Brittany features a creature that is most definitely not a bird. This episode really kicks off the season strong, be sure to give it a listen! Don’t forget to use the code “PRIDE” for 15% you order in our merch store!!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:44 - Creature Feature            

11:09 - Current Events            

19:47 - Gender & Sexuality Expression in Nature II   

50:18 - Outro  

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. 

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Season 3 has arrived, Nature Lovers!!! Get ready for an amazing Season full of exciting episodes, fascinating guests, and even more fun Birdy Bunch Content. Give this Introductory Episode a listen if you’re new to the Bunch or just want to learn more about us as individuals and what our plans are for this new season! We are so thankful for all of your support, and couldn’t be here without you! 

For more information about The Birdy Bunch Podcast, visit TheBirdyBunchPodcast.com. 

Special thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music.

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That’s a wrap, nature lovers!! This episode marks the end of Season 2!!! But no worries, nature lovers; The Birdy Bunch will be back for Season 3 (and #PRIDE!!) on June 6th!! This week though, we have a super fun episode! We are joined by Gabe Kahsen, co-founder of the Psittacine Welfare Institute. Gabe shares all about his vast knowledge of animal welfare - in captivity and in the wild! - and we all talk about some of our favorite birds! In addition, Matt says an unfortunately out-of-date update on Chicago Piping Plovers, and CJ features a creature who is all about that GANG GANG! For more information about the work that Gabe does and to learn all about parrot welfare, check out the website for Psittacine Welfare Institute at www.psittacine.org!

Please remember to visit our merch store from our website, www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com, and use the discount code “season2” for 15% off everything in we have available!! See you again on June 16th, nature lovers!!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

05:27 - Creature Feature

13:44 - Current Events

23:54 - Psittacine Welfare Institute & World Parrot Day with Gabe Kahsen

01:00:47 - Outro

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Pack your bags, Nature Lovers! This week we are taking a virtual trip to learn all about another wild city, Atlanta! This next installment in our Wild City series features the City in The Forest from the great state of Georgia - Atlanta - as well as a wonderful guest and supporter of the podcast, Gabe Andrle! In addition, Brittany features the bird that is on the logo for Georgia Audubon, and Matt shares a current event all about glowing zebrafish and scientific publishing discourse?! It’s a super fun episode you don't want to miss! You can find more information about our guest Gabe Andrle on his social media @NatureWithGabe, and more information about us here @TheBirdyBunchPodcast.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:38 - Creature Feature            

10:50 - Current Events            

22:49 - Wild Atlanta! with Gabe Andrle   

53:15 - Outro  

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Guess what, Nature Lovers? It’s time for a new episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast! This week, Matt, Brittany, and CJ rank some of the most unique - and disgusting - animal defense mechanisms! This episode gets a little crazy so we hope you enjoy it! In addition, Matt shares all about his friend Ed for our Creature Feature, and Australian CJ briefly joins us to discuss some Platypus conservation! It’s a super fun episode you don’t want to miss! For more information about the podcast, follow us on social media @TheBirdyBunchPodcast .

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

02:33 - Creature Feature            

10:02 - Current Events            

12:57 - Animal Defense Mechanisms   

34:54 - Outro     

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Happy April, Nature Lovers! The Birdy Bunch Podcast is back this week with another superb episode! This week we are talking with Jordan Rutter and Gabriel Foley, two of the cofounders of Bird Names For Birds! Bird Names For Birds is a cause whose goal is to raise awareness for the concern about eponymous and honorific common bird names. In addition, Brittany features the Jack Pine - or Kirtland’s - Warbler, Matt shares a current event all about the ban of ivory trading in the UK, and CJ asks the Bunch about their most memorable prank experiences. For more information about Bird Names for Birds, please visit their website at www.birdnamesforbirds.wordpress.com or follow them on social media!

Just as a reminder this episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast is brought to you by our Patreon. Visit our website www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thebirdybunchpodcast. Thank you for your support, Patrons!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:03 - Creature Feature            

09:44 - Current Events            

14:00 - QOTD     

19:22 - Bird Names For Birds with Jordan Rutter and Gabriel Foley   

52:08 - Outro      

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Howdy folks…we mean, hey there nature lovers! On today’s episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast we’re going back in time to an era so affectionately called the “ Wild Wild West” by Will Smith. Why, you ask? To discuss the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly! In addition, CJ features the fastest gunslinger in the west, Brittany tells us about some pesticides that are not exactly treating some of our insects well, and Matt inquires about everybody’s theme song. So giddy up, pard’ner—you shan’t be missin’ this one!

Just as a reminder this episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast is brought to you by our Patreon visit our website www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thebirdybunchpodcast. Thank you for your support, Patrons!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:50 - Creature Feature            

09:20 - Current Events            

16:05 - QOTD     

20:20 - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly   

49:18 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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We got the creative conservation juices flowing this week with a brand new episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast! This week, Brittany, CJ, and Matt are joined by good friend of the podcast Maggie Warren! Maggie is a conservation educator and wildlife artist in the Chicago-area! In addition, Matt shares a current event all about anteaters, and Brittany features a beautifully brilliant Broad-Billed bird! It's an artsy episode you don't want to miss! Ovenbird audio is by Christopher McPherson.

Just as a reminder this episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast is brought to you by our Patreon visit our website www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com or www.patreon.com/thebirdybunchpodcast. Thank you for your support Patrons!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

02:20 - Creature Feature            

05:42 - Current Events            

12:21 - QOTD     

17:30 - Conservation Art with Maggie Warren   

45:43 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Save the bees (especially native ones)!! Today, we’re talking about the Bell Bowl Prairie, and how a little swatch of land could cause so much chaos! In addition to our round table about land management and endangered species in crisis, CJ features a friendly little fella known as the rusty-patched bumblebee and Brittany tells us about a pretty ‘crappy’ civilian science initiative! If you’d like to learn more about Bell Bowl Prairie or how to save it, make sure to visit www.savebellbowlprairie.org, and if you're an Illinois resident make sure to reach out to your State representative. Let’s save the Bell Bowl Prairie!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:37 - Creature Feature            

09:50 - Current Events            

19:37 - Saving the Bell Bowl Prairie 

59:43 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Happy Early Valentine’s Day, Nature Lovers! We love all of you amazing support! We recently hit 10,000 downloads and are thankful for all of your love! This week on The Birdy Bunch Podcast, we’re ranking some of our favorite - and least favorite! - displays of animal courting and ‘love’! In addition, Matt features his favorite pair of Boobies and CJ shars a current event about some of our cephalopod and crustacean friends getting recognized as sentient beings! It’s a super fun episode you don’t want to miss! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @TheBirdyBunchPodcast for more updates on new episodes!!

Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro        05:14 - Creature Feature             10:24 - Current Events             14:22 - Animal "Love"; a Tier List 49:42 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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How do you shop, Nature Lovers? With conservation on your mind we hope! This week on The Birdy Bunch Podcast, we talk everything green consumerism and how to be the most conservation-minded when spending your money! In addition, CJ features nature’s garbagemen for the Creature Feature and Matt shares some exciting plans for our local Chicago aquarium! It’s a super fun episode you don’t want to miss! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @TheBirdyBunchPodcast for more updates on new episodes!!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:07 - Creature Feature            

06:37 - Current Events            

12:32 - Conservation Consumerism

41:53 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Welcome back, nature lovers, to the first episode of 2022! Help us ring in Twenty-Twenty-Tuna with this special recap episode! Did you live under a rock this past year? Wait until the turn of the calendar? Hunker down to avoid any 2021-related conflicts? Well, we’re here for you to fill you in on all the conservation you might have missed! Join us as we highlight some of the major conservation events of the past year. In addition to this synopsis, CJ also has a creature feature of mythical proportions, and Brittany rings in the new year with a special birth! If you missed last year, you certainly won’t want to miss this! Just as a reminder, episodes are now bi-weekly so we will see you in two weeks!!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:38 - Creature Feature            

09:50 - Current Events            

14:02 - 2021 - Conservation Recap!

45:40 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Happy Holiday’s Nature Lovers! Thank you so much for all your support during 2021! This week, we’re ranking some of the cutest and strangest animals who give gifts! In addition, Matt tells where you can get sustainable holiday gifts, Brittany expresses her disgust for balls of protein-rich saliva, and CJ features their favorite creature! Such a fun episode to wrap up the year! We will be back with new episodes of The Birdy Bunch Podcast on January 10, 2022! Starting then, we will be releasing biweekly episodes! Be sure to follow us on social media @TheBirdyBunchPodcast for more updates on our return in 2022! Catch ya next year, nature lovers!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:32 - Creature Feature            

011:23 - Current Events            

20:24 - The Gifts of Wildlife 

53:33 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Oh, let us help you there! It looks like you spilled…the tea, that is! This week, we have a bit of tea time with the Birdy Bunch Podcast, and share the spiciest drama that the outdoor world has to offer! From bugs to birds and everything in between, there’s a lot of piping hot tea to warm you this cold winter. In addition, Matt features the manatee (haha), Brittany tells us about some sea turtles, and Matt and CJ both outline some Chicago birding news. So strap right in folks, because the drama is just about to begin!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

05:18 - Creature Feature            

07:48 - Current Events            

17:46 - Tea Time with The Birdy Bunch 

44:30- Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Howdy Nature Lovers! Get ready for this brand new episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast! This week, Matt, CJ, and Brittany chat with Sarah Feliciano and Matthew Owens about their business Zoo Enrichment Lab, as well as all the positives enrichment can have in an animal's life when under human care! In addition, Matt shares about Amazonian Manatee numbers, CJ shares tiger news from Mother Russia, and Brittany features one of North America’s most infamous aquatic mammals. It’s a wildly surprising episode you don't want to miss! Make sure to visit www.zooenrichmentlab.com to learn more about Zoo Enrichment Lab, and follow The Birdy Bunch Podcast on social media @TheBirdyBunchPodcast for more updates! 

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:55 - Creature Feature            

06:25 - Current Events     

16:58 - Zoo Enrichment Lab with Sarah Feliciano and Matthew Owens     

46:56 - Outro      

50:43 - Matt Rejoins the Call     

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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New episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast, I choose you! This week Matt, Brittany, and CJ discuss all of our favorite animals in fictional media and their real-life animal counterparts. In addition, Matt tells us about some new protections for waters surrounding the Galapagos, Brittany updates on new regulations protecting Spotted Owls, and CJ features the Electric Mouse Pokemon, Pikachu - wait, that doesn’t sound right? Make sure to follow us on social media at @TheBirdyBunchPodcast for more updates!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

02:15 - Creature Feature            

08:47 - Current Events            

23:28 - Animals in Fiction

01:03:36 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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What’s on your FYP today, nature lovers? Looks like a new episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast! This week we attempt to tackle all things about conservation in media - social and otherwise. In addition, CJ lets us know that lemurs think everything is a drum, Matt updates us on the New Zealand Bird(?) of the Year, and Brittany features the Amur Leopard! It’s a fun filled conversation you definitely do not want to miss! Follow us on out social media for updates @TheBirdyBunchPodcast

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

06:41 - Creature Feature            

08:28 - Current Events            

21:31 - Media and Conservation

56:57- Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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In this week’s episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast, we take you on an audio field trip to The Big Apple! Join The Bunch in the next of our ‘Wild’ Series as we discuss some of the infamous conservation stories happening all over the city that never sleeps, New York, New York with guest Thomas Hynes! Tom is the author of Wild City: A Brief History of New York in 40 Animals, make sure to check it out! In addition, CJ updates us on the tale of the Columbian Cocaine Hippos, Brittany shares some news about baby gorillas in the DRC, and Matt features an ancient sewer reptile! It’s an episode you don’t want to miss!! Follow us on social media @TheBirdyBunchPodcast for updates on the podcast!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

02:49 - Creature Feature             

5:39 - Current Events     

14:46 - Wild NYC with Thomas Hynes

46:13 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Ahoy! This week, The Birdy Bunch Podcast tackles the e-fish-ancy of aquaculture and seafood sustainability with guest Ryan McHugh! Ryan shares some of his experience from working in fisheries and the aquaculture industry. In addition, Matt tells us how to brew a cleaner beer, Brittany shares some fun news about jaguars' rare social interactions, and CJ spares no expense for the Creature Feature! It’s a fun episode you won’t want to miss! Follow us on social media @TheBirdyBunchPodcast for more information! 

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:07 - Creature Feature            

07:09 - Current Events     

18:17 - Aquaculture and Sustainable Seafood with Ryan McHugh      

47:40 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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The Spooky Bunch might be gone, but this week we’re discussing a topic that CJ finds terrifying! This week, The Birdy Bunch Podcast discusses everything about Convergent Evolution. In addition, CJ discusses a bat bridge in Kentucky, Matt shares some informative conservation videos, and Brittany features a creature that convergently evolved to a hedgehog. Make sure to follow us on social media at @TheBirdyBunchPodcast for more updates!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

02:22 - Creature Feature            

04:09 - Current Events     

18:08 - Convergent Evolution      

42:08 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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They’re back, and spookier than ever!! To conclude this year’s Spooky Festivities, the Birdy Bunch is throwing it back to last year, and bringing y’all Spooky Animals II. In addition, Matt features the koala bear (or does he), CJ tells us about the domestication of the scariest bird EVER, and Brittany talks about some innovative documentary recording. Join us for this final October installment, but beware-you may just want to listen to this one with the lights on.Thank you to Rosenda Manuel Fraga for the American Barn Owl audio. Make sure to use the code ‘SPOOKY’ at our merch store to get 15% off your order, code expires October 31st!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:51 - Creature Feature            

08:33 - Current Events     

20:17 - Animal Sounds     

48:37 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Grab your shark repellant and don your Halloween costume for this week's fun-ear-cinating episode of The Spooky Bunch Podcast! We had such a blast this week talking all things animals wearing their homemade and nature-inspired costumes! In addition, Brittany shares about a batty current event that happened in Illinois a few weeks back, Matt continues to be the podcast’s very own Moth space Man, and CJ features a creature who can only be spotted on a dark knight. It’s a super fun episode you surely don't want to miss! Make sure to visit out merch store and use the code ‘SPOOKY’ for 15% off your entire order!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

05:22 - Creature Feature            

10:46 - Current Events     

21:48 - Animals in Costumes    

42:00 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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A very special and spooky episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast; we talk all things about the importance of dead things with guest Emily Graslie!! We had such a lovely conversation with her about museums, ecosystems, and some local birding! In addition, CJ tells us about a group of young people who discovered a giant penguin fossil, Matt shares about some conservation updates revolving around the Mauritius Kestral, and Brittany features ‘a literal dragon’ in our Creature Feature segment! It is a wildly fun episode you don’t want to miss! Follow us on Instagram @thebirdybunchpodcast for more updates! Also make sure to check out all the amazing projects that Emily shared, including ‘Art Lab!!' and ‘Prehistoric Road Trip!!’ at  Emily’s website, www.emilygraslie.com.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:02 - Creature Feature            

07:16 - Current Events     

21:29 - The Importance of Dead Things with Emily Graslie     

45:38 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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The Spooky Bunch has finally arrived!!! Get ready for a whole month filled to the cauldron’s brim with fears, frights, and fascination! For the first episode of The Spooky Bunch, Matt brings all of us nature lovers around the campfire for some folktales and storytelling; that’s right folks, get your s’mores ready! In addition, CJ shares an Aussie update on some unfortunate conservation legislation, Brittany brightens things up with a community coming together for condors, and Matt guides us all on a Snipe hunt for our featured creature! Such a fun start to the Spooky Bunch! Just as a reminder, we are running a discount code at our Mech Store; use the code “SPOOKY” for 15% off your order! Special Thanks to Lance A.M. Benner for the Common Loon Audio. For more spooky updates, follow us on Instagram @thebirdybunchpodcast!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

05:19 - Spooky Creature Feature            

08:16 - Spooky Current Events     

23:01 - Around The Campfire!     

49:10 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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“Conservation, Education, Fascination” is usually what we say here at The Birdy Bunch, but we also stand for something else: Inclusion! This week we chat with Virgina Rose and Freya McGregor of Birdability to #BirdabilityWeek and all things inclusion in nature! In addition, Matt shares some spooky stories about moths, CJ mentions the idea of bringing mammoths back from extinction, and Brittany features a creature who is birdy while also sporting some sweet sneakers on their face. We had a fun time with this episode, and know you’ll have a fun time listening! Make sure to check out our merch store and use the code ‘SPOOKY’ fore 15% off your entire order!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:16 - Creature Feature            

05:33 - Current Events     

21:29 - #BirdabilityWeek with Virginia Rose and Freya McGregor     

41:15 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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What is Sound? Why do we Speak? Can you make a Blue Whale Sing please? These are the questions that keep us at The Birdy Bunch up at night. This week, we will be discussing anything and everything animal sounds! From the loudest animals to human speech! In addition, Matt tells us about some Duck Stamp changes, Brittany shares about anthropomorphized squirrels, we have Jack Cross share a guest current event about the tragic dolphin incident in the Faroe Islands a few weeks back, and CJ features an animal who we only know to say ‘Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding’. Sounds like a blast, right?! Thank you to Rosenda Manuel Fraga and Niels Poul Dreyer for the American Barn Owl and Peaquet’s Parrot audio, respectfully.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:37 - Creature Feature            

08:33 - Current Events     

22:42 - Animal Sounds     

37:40 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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We love our pet companions, but some animals definitely shouldn't be in our homes where they can't get proper care!! This episode we tell the tales of some exotic pets gone wrong! In addition, CJ shares news about the Tasmanian Tiger, Matt swoops in with some Tree Swallow updates, and Brittany features one catty exotic animal. It’s one wild episode! For more information about this episode, follow us on social media @thebirdybunchpodcast!!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:23 - Creature Feature            

07:04 - Current Events     

18:30 - Exotic Pets     

52:04 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Earth is a planet of extremes. Extreme places, and extreme animals. But some animals are more extreme than others. Join The Birdy Bunch as we share some of our favorites of the most unusual and the most extraordinary. This week’s episode is an homage to one of our favorite old AAnimal Planet shows, “The Most Extreme”. In addition, CJ shares about a predatory tortoise, Brittany gives an update on vaccines for animals, and Matt features the Bar Tailed Godwit and their extreme migration! Make sure to give it a listen!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

05:28 - Creature Feature            

07:21 - Current Events     

23:35 - The Most Extreme     

41:59 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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What even is biomimicry? Matt is back this week and he sure doesn’t know! Give this week’s episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast we talk all about animals mimicking each other!! In addition, Brittany shares about a war happening between birds, Matt gets really sad about Cha-Cha, and CJ features a friend of Jack. Big thank you to our sponsor, Rainforest Café. Special Thank you to Timothy Marquardt for the Red-Tailed Hawk audio. Make sure to buy the “I’m Plovin’ It” Design which is a fundraiser for the “Monty & Rose 2” Documentary by Bob Dolgan!

Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro        02:48 - Creature Feature             09:38 - Current Events      20:15 - Biomimicry (the other one)      44:23 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Animals live in all types of environments, but how are they adapted to live in such wild places? Well this week on The Birdy Bunch Podcast we talk all about it! Matt is out this week moving back to school, so our good friend Jack Cross joins CJ and Brittany! In addition, CJ tells about some hyena archeologists, Jack updates on the genome sequencing of a Brazilian viper, and Brittany features her first ever creature! It’s a fun episode you won’t want to miss!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:17 - Creature Feature            

05:47 - Current Events     

13:54 - Animal Environmental Adaptations     

34:52 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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On this week’s fun, new episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast, we welcome our new co-host - Brittany Busleta-Lewandowski!! We are also bringing you a new type of episode - a Tier List!! Join the action as we discuss all things unfortunate evolution. In addition, Brittany tells us about some news in the UK regarding the ivory trade, CJ shares about Monarch Butterfly conservation in Mexico, and Matt features our second ever extinct creature! It’s an episode you don't want to miss!! For more updates, follow us on Instagram @thebirdybunchpodcast!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

05:24 - Creature Feature            

12:32 - Current Events     

24:02 - Unfortunate Animal Evolution; a Tier List!     

54:47 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Naval Dolphins, Baboon Train Operators, and Dog Mayors! This week, Writing and Production Assistant Elliot Heye joins Matt and CJ to talk all things animals with jobs! Elliot shares some of his expertise raising service dogs and working with ambassador animals, Matt shares a positive update about Montrose Point Nature Preserve in Chicago, and CJ features the one Valiant Spy in Disguise! Give this episode a listen now!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:17 - Creature Feature            

08:09 - Current Events     

13:55 - Animals With Jobs with Elliot Heye     

39:99 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Kachow! Another fun episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast has arrived! This week, we sit down with Gabe Kahsen, an animal welfare specialist and co-founder of the Psittacine Welfare Institute. Gabe shares all about his vast knowledge of animal welfare and husbandry and we all talk about some of our favorite parrots! In addition, Matt says hi to our friend Claire and shares some news about algal blooms, and CJ posthumuously teases the largest parrot as the Creature Feature! For more information about the work that Gabe does and to learn all about parrot welfare, check out the website for Psittacine Welfare Institute at www.psittacine.org!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

02:55 - Hi Claire!      

03:43 - Creature Feature            

07:53 - Current Events     

16:10 - Animal Welfare and Husbandry with Gabe Kahsen     

43:19 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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In this week’s episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast, Matt and CJ take you to their sweet home, Chicago! Join The Bunch in the first of our ‘Wild’ Series as we discuss some of the infamous conservation stories happening all over the 3rd largest city in the country, Chicago, Illinois! In addition, CJ tells us about some discoveries in ancient Italian Elephants, Matt updates us on the Douglass 18, and Chris Allieri from NYC Plover Project Joins us for our first Guest Creature Feature on the Piping Plover! It’s an episode you don’t want to miss!!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:17 - Creature Feature with Chris Allieri            

27:14 - Current Events     

34:16 - Wild Chicago     

57:36 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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On this very special episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast, Matt, Jon, CJ, and Writing and Production Assistant Elliot come to you all Live from the Teen Conservation Leadership Conference!! That’s right; your favorite Podcast spoke at a conference! In this fun episode, you’ll hear CJ alone in the recording studio, Elliot deliver our first creature feature with a live creature, and all 4 of the Bunch share why it has been particularly important to keep interpreting during a pandemic! 

This episode does come with some news: This will be the last on air appearance of our co-host Jon Sicinski. After lots of discussion, Jon has decided to move on from The Birdy Bunch to pursue other endeavors. We’re thankful for all the time, work, and laughs he has provided, and wish him the best as he moves forward. Don’t worry though - The Birdy Bunch isn’t going anywhere! We’ll be continuing to offer you all the content you’ve come to love, every Monday, just as usual.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:12 - Interpreting a Pandemic (Live at the Teen Conservation Leadership Conference)            

47:59 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Here comes the spook! Join us this week as Matt leads us in another installment of crazy(er) cryptids! In addition, Jon tells us about a bear poaching incident, CJ brings up an awesome wildlife corridor proposal, and Matt features the mystical mermaid(?!). In celebration of cryptids, we’ve got new merch on our website along with the discount code ‘SPOOK’  for 10% off your entire purchase! Be sure to check it out at www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com and follow us on social media @thebirdybunchpodcast for daily content!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:26 - Creature Feature            

08:38 - Current Events            

20:55 - Crazy(er) Cryptids

46:37- Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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The Birdy Bunch kicks off July with an entire episode dedicated to wetlands! Join us as we discuss the significance and wonder of wetland ecosystems. In addition, Matt tells us about Brood X Cicadas impacting bird life, CJ brings news of the first gender neutral scientific name in nature, and Jon features the Wattled Crane. Be sure to check out more of us on social media by following @thebirdybunchpodcast on Instagram and Facebook! Special thanks to Lance A. M. Benner for the Common Loon audio.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

02:04 - Creature Feature            

03:03 - Current Events            

16:37 - The Wonder of Wetlands

42:22- Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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For our last episode of #Pride Month, we talk about why Pride should be a top priority for all nature lovers! Whether you’re an environmentalist, conservation advocate, or just a lover of the great ol’ outdoors, you should be a LQBTQIA+ ally! In addition, Jon tells us about 2 new species of Flying Squirrels, CJ shares a story that does not sound like a whale of a good time, and Matt features our tallest (and one of the gayest!) creatures yet! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more content from this episode and more @thebirdybunchpodcast! Lastly, this is the final week to use the code ‘PRIDE’ at our Merch store for 10% off! 

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:07 - Creature Feature            

08:15 - Current Events            

22:54 - Why Pride Matters to Nature Lovers 

36:39- Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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PRIDE continues with special guest Ren Weinstock! We chat with Ren about their endeavors in sea turtle conservation and their experience being a queer person in the conservation field. In addition, Matt spills some birding tea when people are messing with an albatross, Jon talks about how Tiger Sharks are handling hurricanes, and CJ features a creature that is turtle-y awesome.  Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more content from this episode and more @thebirdybunchpodcast! Additionally, make sure to use the code ‘PRIDE’ at our Merch store for 10% off!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:33 - Creature Feature            

08:43 - Current Events            

22:40 - Queer in Conservation with Ren Weinstock 

41:18- Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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PRIDE month ensues with our third episode of Season 2! This week, The Birdy Bunch takes a look at LGBTQIA+ conservation initiatives and the amazing work that is being done! In addition, CJ lets us know about a strange elephant migration, Matt talks about reptiles in the Wildlife Trade, and Jon features our next #Pride themed creature! Make sure to use the code ‘PRIDE’ at our Merch store for 10% off! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thebirdybunchpodcast for more info on this episode and more!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:21 - Creature Feature            

05:51 - Current Events            

14:58 - LGBTQIA+ Conservation Initiatives 

33:53 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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It’s #PRIDE Month! Come and celebrate Pride month with The Birdy Bunch Podcast as we get into our first episode themed around the LGBTQIA+ Community! This week we talk about examples of Gender and Sexuality Expression in Nature, looking at things through the lens of Queer Ecology! If you enjoy this one, stay tuned for all the LGBTQIA+ Themed content for the whale month of June! Make sure to use the code ‘PRIDE’ at our Merch store for 10% off! Follow us on Instagram @thebirdybunchpodcast for more info!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:11 - Creature Feature            

08:03 - Current Events            

21:50 - Gender & Sexuality Expression in Nature

44:34 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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Welcome to The Birdy Bunch Podcast! We’re so glad to have you with us. Enjoy a brief introduction to who we are, what we do, and our purpose in conservation, education, and fascination. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @thebirdybunchpodcast to learn more each week!

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Let Season 2 begin! We’re kicking things off with two amazing guests: Tykee James and Jeffery Train from Freedom Birders! Join us as we discuss Black Birders Week, Freedom Birders, and other amazing initiatives that these folks are working on. You can follow along on social media through the tag #BlackBirdersWeek and #BlackAFinStem to learn more! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @thebirdybunchpodcast to see updates on this episode and more!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

02:35 - Creature Feature            

07:09 - Current Events            

19:32 - Freedom Birders and #BlackBirdersWeek with Tykee James and Jeffrey Train 

41:18 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap - for designing our logo, Elliot Heye - for being our Writing and Production Assistant, and Conner Wittman - for producing our music. Visit thebirdybunchpodcast.com for more information.

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It’s the season finale! We bring season 1 to a close by reminiscing about our favorite moments- from our special guests to our most funny moments, we take a look back at the best of The Birdy Bunch: Season 1. Be sure to go back and listen to some of your favorite episodes of season 1 before the debut of Season 2 on May 31st! Stay up to date on our content by following us @thebirdybunchpodcast on Instagram and Facebook!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:52 - Creature Feature                      

19:33 - Extraterrestrial Animals 

01:12:23 - Outro            

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap, for designing our logo, and Writing and Production Assistant Elliot Heye.

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Get a load of this nature lovers! It’s another double-guest episode! We invited back Freya McGregor of Birdability and Christa Legrande-Rolls of Birding Tools to come back and chat about The Biggest Week in American Birding! In addition, CJ brings up some cool studies of Red-winged Blackbirds, Jon talks about some unexpected ecosystem engineers, and Matt features the beautiful Golden-winged Warbler. You can follow Christa @birdingtools on Instagram and Facebook and you can follow Freya @birdability on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Be sure to follow us @thebirdybunchpodcast on Instagram and Facebook for updates on Season 2 and so much more!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

02:49 - Creature Feature            

09:18 - Current Events            

27:16 - The Biggest Week In American Birding with Freya McGregor & Christa Rolls

01:05:31 - Wrapping It Up Segment      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap, for designing our logo, and Writing and Production Assistant Elliot Heye.

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They walk among us! This week, The Birdy Bunch discuss some of the most out-of-this-world creatures and all of their alien adaptations. In addition, Jon talks about a crazy killer whale story, Matt tells us about a rabid bobcat who attacked a family, and CJ features a green alien as the Creature Feature. It’s one you don’t want to miss! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @thebirdybunchpodcast for more updates on Season 2! 

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:10 - Creature Feature            

11:17 - Current Events            

23:16 - Extraterrestrial Animals 

50:44 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap, for designing our logo, and Writing and Production Assistant Elliot Heye.

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Spring is in full swing, and this week we’re talking all about pollinators! Join us this week as we discuss all kinds of pollinating animals and their roles in various ecosystems. In addition, CJ talks about climate risks for endemic species, Matt brings up some exciting proposals for amphibian conservation, and Jon features the creature known as the Kinkajou! We’ve got great content for y’all to check out, so be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @thebirdybunchpodcast! 

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

04:16 - Creature Feature            

08:57 - Current Events            

20:35 - Pollinators

35:18 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap, for designing our logo, and Writing and Production Assistant Elliot Heye.

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Hold on tight, nature lovers! This week, The Birdy Bunch tackles the tough topic of overfishing and how we as a global community can do a better job of caring for fish and other marine life. In addition, Jon talks about the rise in coastal “ghost forests”, CJ tells us about the discovery of two new owl species, and Matt features the Pacific Salmon! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @thebirdybunchpodcast for more information and updates on this episode and more!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:40 - Creature Feature            

08:06 - Current Events            

20:36 - Overfishing

39:05 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap, for designing our logo, and Writing and Production Assistant Elliot Heye.

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We love what we do, and this is why! This week, tune in as CJ tells us about the origins of Interpretation, which was the Purpose of a lot of our work before the podcast! We’ve Organized it all out for you to Enjoy! In addition, Jon tells us about some subspecies of elephants, Matt lets us know about a war humans had with woodpeckers, and CJ features our Grizzley-est Creature Feature yet, all in a Thematic manner! Such a Relevant episode You are sure to enjoy! For more about this episode and others by following us @thebirdybunchpodcast on Instagram and Facebook!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

02:06 - Creature Feature            

06:30 - Current Events            

19:07 - National Association for Interpretation & Freeman Tilden

34:55 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap, for designing our logo, and Writing and Production Assistant Elliot Heye.     

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This week on The Birdy Bunch Podcast, we have our first ever episode with not one, but two special guests! We speak with Freya McGregor and Virginia Rose from Birdability, a non-profit organization that’s spreading the word about accessibility challenges when it comes to birding and being out in nature. You can hear more about this episode and others by following us @thebirdybunchpodcast on Instagram and Facebook!

Special thanks to Russ Wigh for White Breasted Nuthatch audio.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

02:06 - Creature Feature            

07:58 - Current Events            

19:16 - Accessibility in Nature with Freya McGregor and Virginia Rose of Birdability

52:42 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap, for designing our logo, and Writing and Production Assistant Elliot Heye.

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Hold your horses there, Kermit - on this episode of the Birdy Bunch Podcast, Matt, Jon, and CJ learn that it IS easy being green! This week, the Bunch talks about easy ways that you can live more eco-friendly in your local ecosystems. In addition, Matt features the Eastern bluebird, CJ mentions yet another example of glowing animals within the past year, and Jon introduces us to another invasive species, the zebra mussel. Make sure you don’t miss this episode, everybody - your friends who did will be green with envy! Follow us on Social Media for more content @thebirdybunchpodcast! 

Special thanks to Ron Overholtz for Sandhill Crane audio.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:33 - Creature Feature            

09:18 - Current Events            

20:07 - Being Green

49:24 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap, for designing our logo, and Writing and Production Assistant Elliot Heye.

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Can they build it? Yes, they can! Animals are some of the greatest Architects all over the globe, and in this episode we share some of our favorite animal architects! We also are joined by former guest Brittany Busleta-Lewandowski! In addition, Matt shares some bird updates, Jon updates us on Red Wolf conservation, Brittany tells us some news of great apes getting COVID-19 vaccinations, and CJ features the Bower Bird! Such a fun episode!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro         

03:24 - Creature Feature     

08:26 - Current Events         

24:08 - Animal Architecture        

58:17 - Outro        

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap, for designing our logo, and Writing and Production Assistant Elliot Heye.

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This week on another fun episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast, we talk about wildlife corridors and how wildlife has benefited from their development! In addition, CJ talks about some crocodile evolution and biology, Matt brings up the trade-in chameleons, and Jon features the Spotted Turtle! Be sure to keep up with us on Instagram and Facebook @thebirdybunchpodcast!

00:00 - Intro 

02:08 - Creature Feature 

05:02 - Current Events 

20:17 - Wildlife Corridors

44:36 - Outro    

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap, for designing our logo, and Writing and Production Assistant Elliot Heye.

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This week, we’re taking on extinction of the amphibian variety! The Bunch gets a great opportunity to talk to Jess McQuigg, a grad student at Miami University in Dr. Michelle Boone’s lab, about her work with the chytrid fungus. It’s a great talk with somebody seeing the global effects of the most crippling wildlife diseases in the world! In addition to our interview Matt talks about the Sri Lankan frogmouth, CJ tells us about a new penguin that just dropped, and Jon talks about yet another invasive species in Florida. If you’re looking to learn more about amphibians and the chytrid fungus, make sure to check out Amphibian Arc and Amphibian Web. Make sure to jump right in, because this is one frog-based episode you don’t want to miss!

Special thanks to Paul Marvin for Eastern Whippoorwill audio.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro       

03:45 - Creature Feature            

08:29 - Current Events            

19:25 - Chytrid Fungus with Jess McQuigg

47:54 - Outro      

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap, for designing our logo, and Writing and Production Assistant Elliot Heye.

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This episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast is about Citizen Science! What is it? What are some projects you can participate in? These questions are answered and more in this week’s episode! In addition, Matt tells us about how the Biden Administration is calling for increased scientific integrity, Jon updates us on the rebranding of the invasive Asian Carp, and CJ features the Monarch Butterfly! It’s a quick but fun one, nature lovers! Make sure to follow us on Instagram @thebirdybunchpodcast and like us on Facebook!

Timestamps:     

00:00 - Intro    

02:14 - Creature Feature    

06:24 - Current Events    

14:24 - Citizen Science     

35:43 - Outro   

Thank you to Sarah Dunlap, for designing our logo, and Writing and Production Assistant Elliot Heye.

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There’s so much charisma in this episode! This week on The Birdy Bunch Podcast, we discuss the phenomena of charismatic megafauna and its effects on conservation all around the world! Additionally, Matt brings up a conservation movement in Chicago, CJ tells us about the discovery of a new whale, and Jon features the infamous Panthera tigris- the tiger! Be sure to follow us @thebirdybunchpodcast on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with our daily content!

Timestamps:       

00:00 - Intro    

04:32 - Creature Feature   

12:05 - Current Events  

23:23 - Charismatic Megafauna    

44:30 - Outro  

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The Birdy Bunch LOVES zoos, but did you know they also love museums? On this episode Matt talks about Carl Akeley, the father of modern taxidermy, and how he revolutionized museum specimens and dioramas. In addition, CJ brings to us a new chameleon and Jon gives us our first ever Field Feature! Matt, Jon, and CJ certainly won’t bore you to death this episode!

Timestamps*:   

00:00 - Intro  

00:40 - Wellness Check  

03:34 - Creature Feature  

11:29 - Current Events  

18:40 - Taxidermy and Carl Akeley  

36:22 - Outro  

*Note: Timestamps may vary given changes to the episode.

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We’ve been building to this for a while, nature lovers! It’s time to talk about Conservation Psychology! This week, friend of The Birdy Bunch Rachel Rubinson joins us in a conversation about some of the history of Conservation Psychology! In addition, Jon tells about continued ivory trafficking online and CJ features the Rock Hyrax. Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Elephant.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro 

02:09 - Creature Feature 

07:30 - Current Events  

16:55 - Conservation Psychology with Rachel Rubinson  

50:25 - Outro 

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It’s predator vs. prey! This week on the Birdy Bunch Podcast, we discuss the dynamics between predators and their prey all around the world! Additionally, Matt plugs some awesome birdy content, CJ talks about tortoise translocation, and Jon features the orca- better known as the killer whale! Make sure to stay up to date with all of our awesome content for this episode and more on Instagram @thebirdybunchpodcast as well as on Facebook!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro 

00:37 - Wellness Check 

04:06 - Creature Feature 

09:17 - Current Events 

17:49 - Predator and Prey Dynamics 

41:16 - Outro 

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It’s officially October, folks! You know what that means...The Spooky Bunch has arrived! For the first episode of October, the gang decides to tackle animals in folklore and superstition; how frighteningly delightful! In addition, Matt highlights a fish known as the candiru, Jon tells us about some cold cheetahs, and CJ talks about a devastatingly toxic algal bloom in Africa. This is one episode you definitely don’t want to miss, so make sure to listen in...if you dare.  Make sure to visit our website for more information: www.thebirdybunchpodcast.comTimestamps:00:00 - Spooky Intro 02:01 - Spooky Wellness Check07:26 - Spooky Creature Feature16:05 - Spooky Current Events29:39 - Animals in Folklore01:01:40 - Go Vote01:04:53 - Spooky Outro

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What do you know; three guests in a row! The week on The Birdy Bunch Podcast, Brittany Busleta-Lewandowski joins us to discuss the history of zoos! In addition to that, Matt talks about an unprecedented amount of deaths of migratory birds, Jon tells us about another ‘doozy’ at Yellowstone, and CJ gives everyone some information about this week’s Creature Feature: the Markhor! Get ready for The Spooky Bunch POdcast for the next four weeks where we will be talking all things spooky! You can also use the code ‘SPOOKY’ on our merch store at checkout to get 15% off your order from now until the end of October! Make sure to check out our instagram @thebirdybunchpodcast Timestamps:00:00 - Intro 02:.30 - Wellness Check 04:17 - Creature Feature 10:44 - Current Events 29:01 - The History of Zoos 51:57 - Outro

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On this week's episode of The Birdy Bunch Podcast, we’re joined by another friend of the show: Kaelie Randolph! Kaelie is studying Law and Public Policy at Indiana University, and has a lot to teach us about environmental racism. In addition, Matt tells us about the Panamanian golden toad, Jon lets us know that this week is #BlackMammologistsWeek, and CJ tells us about how deforestation and climate change might lead to more pandemic outbreaks in the future. This is sure to be an episode you won’t want to miss! Make sure to follow our Instagram, @thebirdbunchpodcast. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro01:43 Wellness Check02:48 Creature Feature10:02 Current Events24:39 Environmental Racism41:42 Outro

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You asked, and we delivered! This week on The Birdy Bunch Podcast, Jon and Matt tackle the first ever Birdy Bunch debate: Bats vs. Birds! In addition, Matt talks a little bit about Shark Week, CJ gives us an update on condor conservation, and Jon features the creature known as the gyrfalcon. As always, make sure to follow our Instagram @thebirdybunchpodcast and check out our website, www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com!Time Stamps:Intro 00:00Wellness Check 00:41Creature Feature 2:40Current Events 6:15Bats vs. Birds 18:20Outro 55:31

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Wait, addicts? I thought you said addax! This week on the Birdy Bunch Podcast the Bunch is joined by a special guest: Jack Cross! Jack has a lot of experience in the zoological field, an decided to share a little thing or two about addiction and substance usage within the animal kingdom. In addition, Matt corrects a former episode in regards to John James Audubon, CJ tells us about the tentacled snake, and Jon sheds some light on a fishing fleet that currently is being found of the coast of the Galapagos. Make sure to follow us @thebirdybunchpodcast on Instagram, as well check out our website www.thebirdybunchpodcast.com! Time Stamps:00:00 Intro01:41 Wellness Check03:58 Creature Feature10:52 Current Events26:41 Animal Addicts