Bird of the Week: Recent Episodes
Bird of the Week
Honeyeaters, some people say they're the Hummingbirds of Australia. They are the nectar eating birds of the great southern land. What is there deal? Well this is episode that lays it out.
There is no shortage of Robins in the world. You got some in Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Chances are if you're standing somewhere in the world, there is a Robin lurking near by. But of course, almost none of them are related to each other. Is it time for another rant about how useless and silly bird names are? You better believe it.
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Notes:
- European Robin: https://ebird.org/species/eurrob1
- American Robin: https://ebird.org/species/amerob
- Australasian Robins: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasian_robin
- Flame Robin: https://ebird.org/species/flarob1
- Rose Robin: https://ebird.org/species/rosrob1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Torrent Flyrobin: https://ebird.org/species/torfly1
- Japanese Robin: https://ebird.org/species/japrob2
- Siberian Blue Robin: https://ebird.org/species/sibrob
- Indian Robin: https://ebird.org/species/indrob1
- Robin Accentor: https://ebird.org/species/robacc1
Hybrids, they're strange. So strange that this may not be the episode for everyone, but hey, I'm not here to tell you what to do.
Out in the rainforest of Central and South America there is a family of birds that makes a living by following ants and eating the bugs they disturb. They're the Antbirds and they're pretty neat. In this episode we take a look at what these guys are all about.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Antbirds: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/thamno3/cur/introduction#genusThamnophilus
- Bicoloured Antbird: https://ebird.org/species/bicant2?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Ocellated Antbird: https://ebird.org/species/oceant1
- Parasites: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3450647
I've never really been a birder myself. Birding, twitching, getting out in the field and tracking down a bird isn't an activity I've ever taken seriously, mostly because I never really had the time to do. But since going on parental leave I've found myself with hours in the day to fill and a baby who likes getting out and about. So in this episode I present the reflections of a birding novice.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
Aussie Bird Count: https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/
Merlin Bird ID: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
eBird Mobile: https://ebird.org/about/ebird-mobile
The show still exists! We are back and this time we are looking at maybe the world's most boring bird, the House Sparrow. These little brown birds live in pretty much every city in the world. Everyone is familiar with them and they have little of interest to offer anyone, ever. Or do they? Well let's find out.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- House Sparrow: https://ebird.org/species/houspa
- The War on Sparrows: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/episodes/16461045-the-war-on-sparrows
- Western Australia hates the Sparrow: https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/siteassets/documents/biosecurity/invasive/birds/sparrows---biosecurity-alert-pf008-23-print.pdf
- How Sparrows came to Australia: https://theconversation.com/city-sparrows-came-to-australia-via-india-59730
- The Sparrow's evolution: https://www.bbcearth.com/news/how-humans-shaped-the-evolution-of-the-worlds-most-common-bird
- Sparrow declining population: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/16/house-sparrow-population-in-europe-drops-by-247m
Today we are going to look at three birds that I think are some of the strangest in the world. Ah... I don't have much more to say about the episodes ... it kinda does what it says on the label.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Greater Vasa Parrot: https://ebird.org/species/vaspar1
- Sungrebe: https://ebird.org/species/sungre1
- Hoatzin: https://ebird.org/species/hoatzi1
- Mousebird: https://ebird.org/species/spemou2
The Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo is one of the most instantly recognisable Australian birds. Big, loud and mischievous. Some people love them, some people ... not so much. But they're smart birds that deserve an episode of their own, so let's do it.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo: https://ebird.org/species/succoc
- Powder Down: https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/powder-down
- Episode 57 - Parrots: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1733312/episodes/14752840-parrots
- Vocal mimicry in parrots: https://www.miragenews.com/vocal-mimicry-in-parrots-why-they-repeat-human-1029293/
- Syrinx: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982222013112
- Cockatoos raid bins: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2022-09-13/cockatoos-cockies-bin-lid-flip-culture-bricks-bird-cognition/101424194
This episodes is not about birds. This is about Australia's electoral system. How's that for coming out of left field? Why is Bird Guy talking about electoral systems? Good questions, it's something I'm interested in, and Australia had a recent election result that I think is worth taking a closer look at.
If you don't want to hear about that, this probably isn't the episode for you. So no hard feelings if you want to skip this one.
But if you're in the mood for something a little different, join me now.
Pelicans! Giant, big beaked birds of the water. Urban legends surrounded these critters, like the fact that they will sometimes eat dogs. Fact or myth? Who can say for sure? But one thing we can say is that they're fascinating birds, so let's get to know them.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Pelican eats Pigeon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phUs2kIGY9M
- Australian Pelican: https://ebird.org/species/auspel1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Pink-Backed Pelican: https://ebird.org/species/pibpel1
- Spot-Billed Pelican: https://ebird.org/species/spbpel1
- Dalmatian Pelican: https://ebird.org/species/dalpel1
- Peruvian Pelican: https://ebird.org/species/perpel1
- Brown Pelican: https://ebird.org/species/brnpel
- Pelican finds water: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-19/curious-central-west-why-pelicans-prefer-some-places/9054518
- hunting practices: https://asknature.org/strategy/cooperative-herding-catches-more-food/
- Dalmatian Pelican conservation: https://rewildingeurope.com/blog/turning-the-tide-for-the-dalmatian-pelican/
- Peruvian Pelican conservation: https://discover.silversea.com/destinations/south-america/how-the-peruvian-pelican-reflects-changes-in-the-environment/
Many birds mimic the calls of other birds. But there is no bird that has the repertoire of the Lyrebird, renown for being some of the greatest mimics in the avian world. So, what's they're deal? Let's find out.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Superb Lyrebird: https://ebird.org/species/suplyr1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Albert's Lyrebird: https://ebird.org/species/alblyr1
- 10 cents: https://www.ramint.gov.au/ten-cents
- Lyrebirds are losing their voice: https://westernsydney.edu.au/newscentre/news_centre/more_news_stories/lyrebirds_are_losing_their_voice_due_to_continued_habitat_loss
- Bird Life: https://birdlife.org.au/bird-profiles/superb-lyrebird/?srsltid=AfmBOoqwY7ME7qaHqkOv23B2VUUFpxZ_VlL4BIEGim8z85fHyydXH7ax
- World Wildlife Fund: https://wwf.org.au/blogs/the-superb-lyrebird-helping-these-amazing-mimickers-recover-from-the-2019-20-bushfires/
You know what film doesn't get talked about enough? Charlie's Angels (2000). But wait, this show isn't about middling films from two decades ago, it's about amazing birds, so how is that film connected to birds? Well, let's find out. I promise it's ridiculous.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Charlie's Angels: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie%27s_Angels_(2000_film)
- The Scene in question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-mbJhVl2Xc
- Pygmy Nuthatch: https://ebird.org/species/pygnut
- Venezuelan Troupial: https://ebird.org/species/ventro1
- Troupials are nest pirates: https://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/sites/default/files/lifesciences/documents/ogatt/Icterus_icterus%20-%20Troupial.pdf
- Fox Sparrow: https://ebird.org/species/foxspa
- Slate's podcast on the issue: https://slate.com/podcasts/decoder-ring/2024/10/how-did-the-big-budget-charlies-angels-movie-get-this-bird-so-wrong
The Kookaburra has to be one of Australia's most famous birds, with a call so iconic and strange that it has been used in a whole swarth of Hollywood films to evoke a feeling of the topics and the exotic, despite the fact that they do not live in that type of environment. But they're a bird of far greater interest than their call alone, so in this episode we'll see what else they have to offer.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Laughing Kookaburra: https://ebird.org/species/laukoo1
- Blue-Winged Kookaburra: https://ebird.org/species/blwkoo1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Spangled Kookaburra: https://ebird.org/species/spakoo1
- Rufous-Bellied Kookaburra: https://ebird.org/species/rubkoo1
- Shovel-Billed Kookaburra: https://ebird.org/species/shbkoo1
- Kookaburra was Flipper: https://bioacoustics.stackexchange.com/questions/746/is-this-sound-made-by-flipper-dolphin-tv-series-real
- Kookaburra in film: https://soundandthefoley.com/2013/05/30/that-jungle-sound/#:~:text=THE%20KOOKABURRA%20IN%20OTHER%20FILMS,on%20their%20way%20to%20Australia.
- Kookaburra chicks kill their siblings: https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2000/10/23/201846.htm
The Bird is back, and we are back looking at a bird with a reputation for being the world's most dangerous. Maybe in a shock twist the bird with the badass reputation is a giant fruit eater from Papua New Guinea, the Cassowary. But is this reputation deserving? Well in this episode we will find out just how dangerous they are, but also what else makes them especially cool.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Southern Cassowary: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/soucas1/cur/introduction
- Northern Cassowary: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/norcas1/cur/introduction?lang=es
- Dwarf Cassowary: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/dwacas1/cur/introduction?lang=es
- Kiwi: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/episodes/13777746-kiwis-fruit-people-birds
- Emu: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/episodes/11406903-the-great-emu-war
- Cassowary 1926 fatality: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175730542
- Ostrich lethality: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4323753/#:~:text=When%20attacking%20a%20person%2C%20ostriches,wild%20ostrich%20populations%20%5B2%5D.
- Keystone species: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb1bbIyF9OU
- Casque: https://tetzoo.com/blog/2022/4/9/inside-the-cassowarys-casque-updated
Today we welcome back friend of The Bird, Mr David Clay, as we discuss that one time China tried to eliminate all the sparrows in their nation. Did the plan work, were there unforeseen consequences, is this another tale of human folly? Almost certainly. Join us as we look at another strange avian story from history.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
NotesSorry I meant to have notes, but I'm not as organised this time. The story is quite well documented though in numerous online sources.
Bird of the Week special announcement: there is a baby on the way so there's no better time to talk about Storks and what they have to do with baby delivery. Where did that myth of the Stork bringing babies to expectant parents come from? Well, today we are going to find out.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes
- Storks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stork
- Saddle-Billed Stork: https://ebird.org/species/sabsto1
- Marabou: https://ebird.org/species/marsto1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- White Stork: https://ebird.org/species/whisto1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Black Stork: https://ebird.org/species/blasto1
- Migration: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/episodes/9912409-migration-part-ii
- Speared Stork: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pfeilstorch
- Hera: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230119-the-weird-history-of-baby-myths
- Hans Christian Andersen: http://hca.gilead.org.il/storks.html
- Work Without Hope: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43999/work-without-hope
In our follow up episode on avian flight we dive deeper into the question of how birds get into the air. In part two we look at the machinery birds have and the physiological attributes they needed to make a flapping wing work. But do we answer the question, 'how do birds fly?', almost certainly not.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes
- Part 1: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/episodes/16146149-power-of-flight-part-1
- Feather episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/episodes/8438286-the-heck-s-a-feather
- Keel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keel_(bird_anatomy)#:~:text=A%20keel%20or%20carina%20(%20pl,the%20plane%20of%20the%20ribs.
- hollow bones: https://www.esc.cam.ac.uk/news/some-birds-have-hollow-bones-and-new-research-helps-us-understand-why
- lungs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXuWi_ODAgo
- feathers: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/feathers-article/
- wing design: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/k12/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Bird-Wing-Types-Handout.pdf
Flying is basically the most defining thing about what birds do, and yet I've never really spoken about it. Well no more, today we begin the mission to figure out how exactly birds fly. We will begin in the long past and look at the evolutionary journey from lizard to bird, as I refuse to answer the question: how do birds fly. But then I guess that's Part 2 will be for?
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Flightless bird episodes
- Kiwis: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/episodes/13777746-kiwis-fruit-people-birds
- Emu: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/episodes/11406903-the-great-emu-war
- Flightless birds: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/episodes/11317493-flightless-birds
- The Great Auk: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/episodes/10605634-the-great-auk
- Penguins: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/episodes/10464354-penguin-extravaganza
Notes
- Flying Snake: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysopelea
- Archaeopteryx: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeopteryx
- Huxley's Near Bird: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchiornis
- Holy Confucius Bird: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confuciusornis
- Opposite Birds: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enantiornithes
Wow, does this podcast even release episodes anymore? Yes it does, and we are back with Albatross, renown as some of the biggest birds in the world. Majestic birds of the open ocean, clumsy buffoons on land. What is it that makes them special? We find out in this episode.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes
- Pelagic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelagic_zone
- Procellariiformes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procellariiformes
- The Rime of the Ancient Mariner: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43997/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner-text-of-1834
- Wandering Albatross: https://ebird.org/species/wanalb1
- Tube nose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRTRRMwXuEg
- Waved Albatross: https://ebird.org/species/wavalb?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Laysan Albatross: https://ebird.org/species/layalb?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Short-tailed Albatross: https://ebird.org/species/shtalb?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Smell: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0709047105#:~:text=Wandering%20albatrosses%20(Diomedea%20exulans)%20forage,role%20in%20natural%20foraging%20behavior.
- Waved Albatross moves egg: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/cd6b/5ba04ee23bec2f62f223216ef97be0d307d8.pdf
- Mating dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EYNazaodHg
- Proventriculus: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/proventriculus#:~:text=The%20proventriculus%20is%20a%20glandular,a%20koilin%20layer%20(cuticle).
- Wisdom: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/wisdom-laysan-albatross-super-mom-is-73-and-still-going-strong/
- Plight of the Tristan Albatross: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/episodes/8788007-the-tristan-albatross
I'm sure we've all heard some fun facts about birds, a duck's quack won't echo, an Ostrich sticks its head in the sand when threatened. But is there any truth to these statements, or are they straight up lies?
Well on this episode we dive into 5 famous bird myths, break them do and see if there is any truth to the rumours.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes
- Quack's quack won't echo: https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2004/05/06/1102602.htm
- Ostrich with its head in the sand: https://www.clevelandzoosociety.org/z/2020/03/11/truth-or-tail-do-ostriches-really-bury-their-head-in-the-sand-when-scared-or-frightened
- Egyptian Plover cleans crocodile teeth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_plover
- Trochilus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trochilus_(crocodile_bird)
- Don't touch baby birds: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&articles_id=426#:~:text=Q%3A%20If%20a%20person%20touches,prevent%20people%20from%20disturbing%20wildlife.
- Birds can't smell: https://www.audubon.org/magazine/january-february-2014/birds-can-smell-and-one-scientist
Who among us hasn't thrown a chip at a seagull or a slice of bread at a duck? Feeding birds is a wonderful way to interact with our feathered friends. Except, if we do it wrong we could literally kill them with kindness. So what are the dos and don'ts of feeding birds? Well good news, we look at the worse consequences that can occur, and how to do it right so everyone is happy.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Links:
- Feeding advice: https://birdlife.org.au/a-guide-to-feeding-wild-birds-in-australia/#:~:text=Seed%2Deating%20birds%20have%20a,oats%2C%20sorghum%20and%20peanut%20pieces.
- Making a bird friendly garden: https://birdlife.org.au/discover-birds/birds-in-your-backyard/bird-friendly-garden/
Eagles are majestic animals, fearsome apex predators that hunt large prey. But then their is that one Kite that only eats snails, the Snail Kite. Today we meet an odd ball bird, and find out how they're adapting to survive in a changing world.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Links:
- Snail Kite: https://ebird.org/species/snakit
- Phenotypic Plasticity: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenotypic_plasticity
- Oystercatcher bill: https://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2010/07/11/incredible-bill-of-oystercatcher
Flamingos are kinda freaky. They are a pink, stork-like bird that eats algae and feeds its chicks blood red milk. What is going on with that? Luckily we will be digging into these questions in this episode, to join me as find out a couple of fun facts about Flamingos.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Links:
- American Flamingo: https://ebird.org/species/grefla2
- Colour rant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TtnD4jmCDQ
- Flamingos related to Grebes: https://www.10000birds.com/exploring-the-relationship-between-flamingos-and-grebes-the-wonderful-birds.htm
- Lamellae: https://asknature.org/strategy/lamellae-filter-food-of-different-sizes/
- Pink!: https://www.newscientist.com/question/why-are-flamingos-pink/
- Milk!: https://thepopularflamingo.com/en-au/blogs/posts/flamingos-produce-milk-yep-and-this-is-how-why
- One leg!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIoE18JYGcM
I recently visited New Zealand, and I had a great chance to see some of their unique birds and travel the country a little. And I came away from the trip with a few impressions about their birds and the environment that I wanted to share. So slightly different, more personal account than the usual, but hopefully will still be of some interests and entertainment.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Links:
- Brushtail Possum: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests-and-threats/possums/
- Zealandia: https://www.visitzealandia.com/
- Tui: https://ebird.org/species/tui1
- Saddleback: https://ebird.org/species/saddle2
- Kaka: https://ebird.org/species/nezkak1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Kereru: https://ebird.org/species/nezpig2
- New Zealand Fantail: https://ebird.org/species/nezfan1
- Tomtit: https://ebird.org/species/tomtit1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Predator Free Wellington: https://www.pfw.org.nz/
- Takahe previous episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/14346484-lazarus-rising
- Kiwi previous episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/13777746-kiwis-fruit-people-birds
We interrupt our usual format to bring you a slightly different episode. It's an Australian bird quiz, pretty straight forward, play along at home and see how you go.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Links:
- Eastern Rosella: https://ebird.org/species/easros1
- Rainbow Lorikeet: https://ebird.org/species/railor5?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Aussie Bird Count: https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/
- Australian Magpie: https://ebird.org/species/ausmag2?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Magpies swoop bald men: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-09/magpies-swoop-bald-more-often-survey-finds/103297520
- Peregrine Falcon: https://ebird.org/species/perfal?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Noisy Miner: https://ebird.org/species/noimin1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Cockatoos open bins: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2022-09-13/cockatoos-cockies-bin-lid-flip-culture-bricks-bird-cognition/101424194
- Raven language: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/wa-afternoons/how-to-speak-raven/13424156
In the last episode we said there were no parrots in the United States of America. But that was only a half truth. A better truth would have been to say that once upon a time there was a parrot, the Carolina Parakeet that went extinct about 100 years. And in its place today there is an invasive species, the Monk Parakeet. So what is the story of these two birds, why did one die while the other has thrived? Today we are going to try and find out.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Links:
- Carolina Parakeet: https://ebird.org/species/carpar/
- Why the Carolina Parakeet went extinct: https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/carolina-parakeet-extinction-mystery
- Monk Parakeet: https://ebird.org/species/monpar
- Monk nest: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/parrots-are-taking-over-the-world/
- Parakeet panic: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/cautionary-tales/when-parakeets-plundered-new-york
Have you been hankering for a cracker, well has polly got one for you today as we look at Parrots. This is a big old family of birds, so join me as we do a speed run of parrots and find out what these birds are all about.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Parrot beaks: https://parrotjunkie.com/blogs/health/parrot-beak-anatomy
- Tripedal locomotion: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2022.0245#:~:text=Our%20findings%20demonstrate%20that%20parrots,substrate%20reaction%20forces%20and%20power.
- Lorikeet Tongue: https://www.psittacology.com/lorikeet-tongue-diet/
- Powder Down: https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/powder-down
- Old World Parrots: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/psitta4/cur/introduction
- New World Parrots: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/psitta3/cur/introduction
- Cockatoos: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/cacatu2/cur/introduction#:~:text=Cockatoos%20are%20large%20parrots%20of,also%20the%20most%20widely%20recognized.
- New Zealand Parrots: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/strigo1/cur/introduction#genusNestor
- Kea: https://www.firstlighttravel.com/blog/cheeky-kea
- Alex: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_(parrot)
- Burrowing Parrots: https://ebird.org/species/burpar
- Eclectus Parrot: https://ebird.org/species/eclpar4?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Orange-Bellied Parrot: https://ebird.org/species/orbpar1
- Greater Vasa Parrot: https://ebird.org/species/vaspar1
This will be a different episode. I have also had a strong association between my grandmother and Budgerigars, she owned one and gifted me one of my own for my sixth birthday. So this episode will be part memoir, part eulogy, part ... Budgerigar discussion...? Maybe not one for everyone, but let's give it a spin.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Budgerigar: https://ebird.org/species/budger/
- Murmuration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEiuKDEPM5g
- Budgie colour mutation: https://www.budgie-bubble.co.uk/budgie-mutations
- UV feathers: https://budgiesareawesome.blogspot.com/2010/07/glowing-budgies.html
Sadly our world is not populated with magical unicorns. But what we lack in horned horses we make up for with horned birds. Join me this week as we meet one of the strangest birds, the avian equivalent of the unicorn, the Horned Screamer.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Horned Screamer: https://ebird.org/species/horscr1/
- Horned Lark: https://ebird.org/species/horlar
- Horned Parakeet: https://ebird.org/species/horpar2
- Hollow bones: https://www.montananaturalist.org/blog-post/avian-adaptations/#:~:text=Hollow%20bones%20are%20also%20called,areas%20in%20a%20bird's%20bones.
In the 1960s the United States of America lost a unique sub-species of bird when the Kennedy Space Centre was developed as part of the space race. Today, Australia is on the cusp of repeating this history, with the home of the endangered Southern Emu-wren being earmarked for the development of a launch site.
Until 2 February 2024 public submissions are open on the site's proposed development. To help protect the Emu-wren visit Birdlife Australia and use their form to voice your opposition: https://www.actforbirds.org/whalersway
Notes:
- Birdlife media release on Whalers Way: https://birdlife.org.au/news/rocket-launch-facility-will-destroy-threatened-bird-habitat/
- Dusky Seaside Sparrow: https://www.fws.gov/species/dusky-seaside-sparrow-ammodramus-maritimus-nigrescens
- Southern Emu-wren: https://ebird.org/species/souemu1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Australian Government Emu-wren species profile: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=26006
So if it's one thing we know people are good at it's making other things go extinct. We are living during one of the great mass extinct events. But every now and again, we come across a bird that was thought to have gone extinct, only for them to be rediscovered, sometimes hundreds of years later. Well, this year, we are going to meet three birds that were thought to be extinct only to be found alive and (not so) well many years later.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Lazarus Taxon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_taxon
- Lazarus of Bethany: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_of_Bethany
- It's time to D-D-D-Duel!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFkdcQgNJHo
- Blue-eyed Ground Dove: https://ebird.org/species/begdov2
- Doves raised in captivity: https://abcbirds.org/news/blue-eyed-ground-dove-captive-rearing/
- Inbreeding depression: https://evolution.berkeley.edu/the-relevance-of-evolution/conservation/inbreeding-depression/
- Bermuda Petrel: https://ebird.org/species/berpet
- David Wingate: https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/david-wingate-and-rescue-cahow
- A Tale of Two Islands: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/9071817-a-tale-of-two-islands
- Takahe: https://ebird.org/species/takahe3
- Story of the Takahe: https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/takahe-the-bird-that-came-back-from-the-dead/
- International Union for the Conservation of Nature: https://www.iucn.org/
Last year New Zealand crowned the Puteketeke as their Bird of the Century. This raise a lot of questions: who has the authority to name a bird for the century, why is 2023 the year it happened, and what the heck is the Puteketeke? Join me in this episode to learn more and to find out how John Oliver made a dramatic entry to saw the vote in favour of an underdog.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Great Crested Grebe: https://ebird.org/species/grcgre1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Forest and Bird: https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/
- Bird of the Century winner: https://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz/
- Previous Bird of the Year winners: https://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz/past-champions/
- Puteketeke: https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/bird-century-winner-announced-puteketeke-pandemonium-prevails#:~:text=The%20p%C5%ABteketeke%20Australasian%20crested%20grebe,atop%20its%20burnt%2Dorange%20mullet.
- Feet for tail feathers: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4070281?seq=2
- Grebe mating dancing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs_3WAfDVsc
- Grebes eat feathers: https://www.audubon.org/news/grebes-their-meals-side-feathers-heres-why#:~:text=Strange%20as%20it%20sounds%2C%20grebes,way%20to%20slow%20down%20digestion.
- John Oliver on Jimmy Fallon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVE1hBzHn3s
- Does John Oliver hate birds?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l2Y6Z-maAU
As we enter the festive season there is no better bird to feature than the European Robin. These bright little birds have an association with Christmas that extends way waaaaay back. So let's dive in with a short min Christmas stocking stuffer Bird of the Week special to find out what the deal is with Christmas and Robins.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- European Robin: https://ebird.org/species/eurrob1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Robins and Christmas: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2019/12/why-do-we-associate-robins-with-christmas/
- Robins and the nativity: https://www.birdspot.co.uk/culture/the-legend-of-robin-redbreast
- The Six Birds of Christmas, previous Christmas special: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/9782095-the-six-birds-of-christmas
- Dead Wrens on Christmas cards: https://culturacolectiva.com/en/art/design/victorian-christmas-cards-weird-dead-birds/
The Night Parrot is known as one of the most elusive birds in the world. Between 1912 and 1990 there was no evidence that they lived, and even then it would be another 23 before a living one was even seen. But then in 2013, the Night Parrot was re-discovered to much fanfare. However, it later emerged that much subsequent evidence for their existence was falsified. Just what happened and why is a wild tale, so joy me as we tell the story of the Night Parrot.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Night Parrot: https://ebird.org/species/nigpar2
- Ground Parrot: https://ebird.org/species/gropar1/
- Dick Smith: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Smith_(entrepreneur)
- Walter Boles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5OSiN_6Lr0
- Robert Cupitt: https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.308723421800147
- John Young and the Night Parrot: https://www.audubon.org/news/john-young-rediscovered-australian-night-parrot-did-he-lie-about-his-later
- John Young and the Blue-Fronted Fig Parrot: https://www.smh.com.au/national/new-parrot-species-found-in-queensland-20061108-gdos73.html
- Penny Olsen: https://reporter.anu.edu.au/all-stories/the-truth-behind-the-quest-to-find-the-elusive-night-parrot
- Future of the Night Parrot: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/04/science/night-parrot-ghost-bird-australia.html
It's a common story throughout the world: when people turn up we tend to kill things, with many animals being driven to extinction. So join me today as we do a review of the Australian birds that have gone extinct since European colonisation. But would you be shocked if I told you there was only one? It's true, the Paradise Parrot is the only Australian bird that has gone extinct. So let's find out who they were, what happened, and if we can stop their close cousin from going the same way.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
If you're interested in the work of Artemis and their efforts to save the Golden Shoulder Parrot check out: https://artemis.org.au/
Notes:
- Paradise Parrot: https://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=723
- Red-Rumped Parrot: https://ebird.org/species/rerpar1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Hooded Parrot: https://ebird.org/species/hoopar1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Golden Shouldered Parrot: https://ebird.org/species/gospar1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- John Gilbert: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gilbert_(naturalist)
- John Gould: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gould
- Gilbert's Whistler: https://ebird.org/species/gilwhi1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Gilbert's Honeyeater: https://ebird.org/species/whnhon3?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Gilbert's Potoroo: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/episodes/new
- Gilbert's Dunnart: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert%27s_dunnart
- Alec Chisholm: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Hugh_Chisholm
- Story of the Paradise Parrot: https://theconversation.com/100-years-ago-this-man-discovered-an-exquisite-parrot-thought-to-be-extinct-what-came-next-is-a-tragedy-we-must-not-repeat-171939
We finally got to the TAXONOMY episode. Join me as we explain what taxonomy is, how it works, and how we use it to arrange a big old family tree that contains every bird and maps how they're all related to each other. It's an overview of bird family tree from the dinosaurs to today.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Bird Taxonomy: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species
- Morphology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphology_(biology)
- Convergent Evolution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convergent_evolution
- Therapod: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theropoda
- Feathered dinosaurs: https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/dinosaurs-among-us/feathers
- Opposite birds: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enantiornithes
- Neoaves: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoaves
- Hoatzin: https://ebird.org/species/hoatzi1
Without a question, the Kiwi is one of the most unusual birds in the world. A lifetime of isolation on New Zealand has lead to a bird that is doing an impersonation of a rodent. This week we will find out who the Kiwi is, where they came from, how they live and where they're going.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Flightless Birds: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/11317493-flightless-birds
- Island Birds: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/8978808-island-bird
- Southern Brown Kiwi: https://ebird.org/species/sobkiw1/
- Northern Brown Kiwi: https://ebird.org/species/nibkiw1/
- Okarito Kiwi: https://ebird.org/species/okbkiw1/
- Little Spotted Kiwi:https://ebird.org/species/liskiw1/
- Great Spotted Kiwi: https://ebird.org/species/grskiw1/
- How Kiwis got to New Zealand: https://savethekiwi.nz/about-kiwi/kiwi-facts/how-kiwi-came-here/
So birds can fly, and as result they have spread themselves every corner of the world. And yet, despite this fact, very few individual species have managed to find a way to conquer the world on their own. Well, nearly none, because there are five birds, just five that have found their way onto every continent. These birds, the cosmopolitan birds make up an exclusive club. Join me in this episode to meet the five birds that have spread themselves around the world. Find out how they did, and why so few birds have managed the trick.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Biogeographic Realms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W94Rth-aIkc&t=1164s&ab_channel=AtlasPro
- Peregrine Falcon: https://ebird.org/species/perfal?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Migration: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/9834248-the-heck-s-migration
- Osprey: https://ebird.org/species/osprey?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Glossy Ibis: https://ebird.org/species/gloibi?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Cattle Egret: https://ebird.org/species/categr/
- Barn Owl: https://ebird.org/species/brnowl
- Owls: How Gives a Hoot?: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/11822647-owls-who-gives-a-hoot
- Speciation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speciation
It's time to talk Puffins. The auks are a fascinating group of ocean going birds. They have fancy plumes, fancy beaks, some of them even smell like citrus, and the evolved to fly under the waves and in the air. So let's meet these penguins for the northern hemisphere and find out what they got going on.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- The Great Auk: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/10605634-the-great-auk
- How do Eggs Work?: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/12734438-how-do-eggs-work
- The Egg War: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/12858732-the-egg-war
- Auks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auk
- Atlantic Puffin: https://ebird.org/species/atlpuf
- Tufted Puffin: https://ebird.org/species/tufpuf
- Horned Puffin: https://ebird.org/species/horpuf
- Puffin beaks: https://www.audubon.org/news/puffins-amp-their-sex-appeal-glowing-beaks
- Rhinoceros Auklet: https://ebird.org/species/rhiauk?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Whiskered Auklet: https://ebird.org/species/whiauk
- Crested Auklet: https://ebird.org/species/creauk
- Citrus smelling bird: https://nerdfighteria.info/v/ZELEjE92D-c/
- Guillemot eggs: https://bou.org.uk/blog-birkhead-guillemot-eggs/
- Marbled Murrelet: https://ebird.org/species/marmur?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Ancient Murrelet: https://ebird.org/species/ancmur
- Kiviaq: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-kiviaq
A bird's ability to sing has long fascinated and enchanted we people. But how do birds sing, do all birds sing and why do they sing? These are important questions, and maybe we will ever answer some of them.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Larynx: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larynx
- Syrinx: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrinx_(bird_anatomy)
- Songbirds: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songbird
- White Bellbird: https://ebird.org/species/whibel2?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Common Nightingale: https://ebird.org/species/comnig1
- Bell Miner: https://ebird.org/species/belmin1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Superb Lyrebird: https://ebird.org/species/suplyr1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Eurasian Bullfinch: https://ebird.org/species/eurbul?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Eastern Whipbird: https://ebird.org/species/easwhi1?siteLanguage=en_AU
Today we are meeting the Woodpeckers, those chisel faced birds that spend all day banging their head into a tree, sounds frustrating. Well as it turns out the Woodpeckers are evolved for a life of a tree pecking. In this episode we will find out how they do it, why they do it, and how they avoid a concussion.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Wrynecks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wryneck
- Piculet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piculet
- Black-backed Woodpecker: https://ebird.org/species/bkbwoo?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Northern Flicker: https://ebird.org/species/norfli
- Gila Woodpecker: https://ebird.org/species/gilwoo?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Ground Woodpecker: https://ebird.org/species/growoo1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Tongues: https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/news/science/woodpeckers-hammer-without-headaches/
- Tail feathers: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/3-a26-freshman-seminar-the-nature-of-engineering-fall-2005/47a3837503f2449db79f7d54ec71e171_wp_tail_feathev1.pdf
- Sapsuckers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapsucker
- Acorn Woodpecker: https://ebird.org/species/acowoo
- Drumming: https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/woodpecker-knocking-actually-drum-solo-scientists-say-rcna49456
- Ivory-billed Woodpecker: https://ebird.org/species/ivbwoo
- Ivory-bill rediscovery?: https://earthsky.org/earth/ivory-billed-woodpecker-isnt-extinct/
There is a famous Swiss case from 1474 of a rooster that was put on trial for the unnatural crime of laying an egg. It is a silly story of human folly, as is so often the case. But this strange tale does lead to a deeper and more interesting point about avian gender, how it is radically different to mammals, and how in some rare cases a hen can maybe turn into a rooster. How is that possible? Tune in to find out and we even have a little surprise at the start of the show as well.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Rooster burned at the stake: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-009-6331-3_13
- BBC story on gender flipping birds: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40016817
Who doesn't love a Wren? They're adorable stub-tailed birds with beautiful voices. But wait! Are we talking about the same bird? As it turns out there are hundreds of unrelated birds that are called Wrens. The state of play when it comes to what is and isn't a Wren is wild, and this episode we do a full review of all the wrens buzzing around out there.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Eurasian Wren: https://ebird.org/species/winwre4?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Ture Wrens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wren
- Australasian Wrens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasian_wren
- New Zealand Wrens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_wren
- Antbrids: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antbird
- Wren-babblers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pnoepyga
- Old World Babblers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_World_babbler
- Jungle Babblers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pellorneidae
- Ovenbirds:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovenbird
- Wren-warblers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamonastes
A slightly different episode to look at three birds with odd names. We will look at how the Turkey, the Jamaican Mango and the Gouldian Finch got their names. What do these birds have to do with each other? Nothing whatsoever, but maybe we can find a theme in there somewhere.
Really though, this is just a shameless plug for my second podcast, What's Up With That Bird's Name, available only through Patreon. www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Wild Turkey: https://ebird.org/species/wiltur
- Ocellated Turkey: https://ebird.org/species/ocetur1/
- Turkey changed its name: https://theconversation.com/why-does-turkey-want-other-countries-to-start-spelling-its-name-turkiye-199390
- Guineafowl: https://ebird.org/species/helgui?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Jamaican Mango: https://ebird.org/species/jamman1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Indian Golden Oriole: https://ebird.org/species/ingori1/
- Gouldian Finch: https://ebird.org/species/goufin3?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Finch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finch
- John Gould: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gould
- Elizabeth Gould: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Gould_(illustrator)
A slightly different episode to look at three birds with odd names. We will look at how the Turkey, the Jamaican Mango and the Gouldian Finch got their names. What do these birds have to do with each other? Nothing whatsoever, but maybe we can find a theme in there somewhere.
Really though, this is just a shameless plug for my second podcast, What's Up With That Bird's Name, available only through Patreon. www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Wild Turkey: https://ebird.org/species/wiltur
- Ocellated Turkey: https://ebird.org/species/ocetur1/
- Turkey changed its name: https://theconversation.com/why-does-turkey-want-other-countries-to-start-spelling-its-name-turkiye-199390
- Guineafowl: https://ebird.org/species/helgui?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Jamaican Mango: https://ebird.org/species/jamman1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Indian Golden Oriole: https://ebird.org/species/ingori1/
- Gouldian Finch: https://ebird.org/species/goufin3?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Finch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finch
- John Gould: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gould
- Elizabeth Gould: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Gould_(illustrator)
The Egg War is the rather bizarre story of how a colony of Common Murres on the Farallon Islands off the coast of San Francisco sparked conflict during the American Gold Rush in the 1850-60s. It is a wild tale of murder, piracy, lighthouse keepers with delusions of grandeur and an awful lot of people wearing hats. Join me for a silly story.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:California Gold Rush: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Gold_Rush
Farallon Islands: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farallon_Islands
Common Murre: https://ebird.org/species/commur?siteLanguage=en_AU
Auks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auk
Murre eggs: https://americanornithology.org/distinctive-egg-color-variations-in-common-murres/
The Egg War: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-california-went-war-over-eggs-180971960/
Penguin eggs: https://www.capetownetc.com/news/penguin-egg-whites-may-turn-clear-when-boiled-but-this-is-not-a-breakfast-idea/
Eggs may be an every day mundane thing. Something that lives in your fridge and that you see all the time. And yet, they are little marvels of nature. So join me today as we learn everything there is to know about eggs.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Hummingbird eggs: https://abcbirds.org/blog21/hummingbird-eggs/
- Ostrich eggs: https://www.americanostrichfarms.com/blogs/news/all-about-ostrich-eggs-and-what-you-can-do-with-them
- Emu eggs: https://hmnh.harvard.edu/emu-eggs
- Tinamou eggs: https://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2022/01/19/high-gloss-eggs/
- Calcium in eggs: https://nurturing-nature.co.uk/gardening-for-wildlife/birds-need-calcium-to-lay-their-eggs-where-do-they-get-it-from/
- Blue eggs: https://www.thespruce.com/why-robin-eggs-are-blue-4161031
- Anatomy of an egg: https://www.scienceofcooking.com/eggs/anatomy-of-a-chicken-egg.html
- Brood patch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brood_patch
- Common Murre eggs: https://www.audubon.org/news/why-are-murre-eggs-so-pointy-new-research-debunks-prevailing-theory
This is Part II of our story on the Chicken. In this episode we will find out how the Chicken was domesticated, and how we changed them to suit our needs and transitioned them from Junglefowl to industrialised factory production line.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Cockfighting in The Philippines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXK6uog-f6g&ab_channel=VICEAsia
- World Slasher Cup: https://www.worldslashercup.ph/
- Egyptian Egg Oven: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_egg_oven#:~:text=An%20Egyptian%20egg%20oven%20or,other%20techniques%20of%20the%20time.
- Sacred Chickens of Rome: https://www.anecdotesfromantiquity.com/the-sacred-chickens-of-rome/
- Gallic Rooster: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallic_rooster
- Chicken gene mutation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26873630/#:~:text=Our%20study%20indicates%20that%20the,been%20important%20for%20chicken%20domestication.
- The Chicken-of-Tomorrow: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/poultry-food-production-agriculture-mckenna
- Hen Fever: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/poultry-food-production-agriculture-mckenna
- Ayam Cemani: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayam_Cemani
- Dong Tao: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dong_Tao_chicken
- Bird Flu: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/03/h5n1-bird-flu-avian-influenza-what-can-be-done/
- RSPCA standards: https://rspcaapproved.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2020_08_MEATCHICKENS_Standard_v1.1.pdf
- Hilltop Eggs: https://www.hilltopsfreerange.com/
In the world today there are some 20 billion chickens. They are the most abundant bird in the world, and almost all of them exist to feed us people. They are the world's most delicious bird, but where did they come from and what makes them special? Good news, I have the answers to these questions. So join me for Part 1 of our exploration on the domesticated chicken.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Red-billed Quelea: https://ebird.org/species/rebque1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Red Junglefowl: https://ebird.org/species/redjun?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Where the word rooster came from: https://www.etymonline.com/word/rooster
- Chicken purring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOkqOPfMQj4&ab_channel=mercyforanimals
- Tidbitting: https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2017/07/tidbitting-what-it-is-and-why-chickens.html
Long time listeners may remember our episode on pigeons, where I tried to convince two friends that pigeons are amazing. But that episode only looked at the Rock Dove, and the world of pigeons is so much bigger than that. So in this episode we will take a proper tour of the family and learn some reasons to love pigeons.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Pigeons Volume 1: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/9684204-pigeons-are-disgusting-change-my-mind
- Rock Dove: https://ebird.org/species/rocpig/
- Diamond Dove: https://ebird.org/species/diadov1
- Victoria Crowned Pigeon: https://ebird.org/species/vicpig1
- Pigeon Milk: https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2011/09/mysteries-of-pigeon-milk-explained/
- Pigeons and magnets: https://www.audubon.org/magazine/september-october-2012/how-do-pigeons-find-their-way-home
- Golden Dove: https://ebird.org/species/goldov1
- Orange Dove: https://ebird.org/species/oradov1/
- Crested Pigeon: https://ebird.org/species/crepig1/
- Nicobar Pigeon: https://ebird.org/species/nicpig1/
- Luzon Bleeding-heart: https://ebird.org/species/lubhea1/
- Tooth-billed Pigeon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth-billed_pigeon
- A Tale of Two Islands: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/9071817-a-tale-of-two-islands
- Passenger Pigeon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passenger_pigeon
- Blue-eyed Ground Dove: https://ebird.org/species/begdov2?siteLanguage=en_AU
You know me, I love me a good island, and Norfolk Island is a good island. I recently did a short talk on the birds of Norfolk Island, and I thought, hey, why not share it with anyone who has a care to listen. So please enjoy this slightly shorter episode about the birds that call Norfolk home.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Norfolk Island: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_Island
- Slender-billed White-eye: https://ebird.org/species/sbweye1
- Norfolk Morepork Owl: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_boobook
- Green Parrot: https://ebird.org/species/noipar1
- Crimson Rosella: https://ebird.org/species/criros2?siteLanguage=en_AU
- How Many Birds are There?: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/9413157-how-many-birds-are-there
Because sleep is something we all do it is understandable that we might think the experience would be similar for other animals. And birds have developed a whole range of unique sleep tactics to help them get through their day.
In this special episode I am joined by a guest, clinical psychologist Lucienne Shenfield. Join us on a discussion about how people sleep, how birds sleep, and the difference and similarities between the two.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Bar-tailed Godwits: https://ebird.org/species/batgod?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Greater Frigatebirds: https://ebird.org/species/grefri
- Pectoral Sandpiper: https://ebird.org/species/pecsan?siteLanguage=en_AU
Nowhere in the avian kingdom is there another bird that makes a structure as amazing as the Bowerbirds. But why do they do it? Why, to impress the ladies of course. But as always, there is a lot to unpack, so join me today to find out everything is to know about the Bowerbirds and the bowers they make.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Notes:
- Catbirds - https://ebird.org/species/grecat1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Australasian Biogeographic Realm - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasian_realm
- Tooth-billed Bowerbird - https://ebird.org/species/tobcat2?siteLanguage=en_AU
- The Birds-of-Paradise - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/9146983-the-birds-of-paradise
- Golden Bowerbird - https://ebird.org/species/golbow1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- MacGregor's Bowerbird - https://ebird.org/species/macbow2
- Vogelkop Bowerbird - https://ebird.org/species/vogbow2
- Satin Bowerbird - https://ebird.org/species/satbow1/
- Greater Bowerbird - https://ebird.org/species/grebow1/
- Spotted Bowerbird - https://ebird.org/species/spobow1/
Who are the Owls? They are the ninjas of the night, swooping on silent wings to snatch their preys. They have a range of unique attributes that allows them to hunt totally blind, and without making a sound. They are unlike any other family of birds, and today we're going to learn all about them.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
Notes:
- Snowy Owl: https://ebird.org/species/snoowl1
- Barn Owl: https://ebird.org/species/brnowl?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Blakiston's Fish-Owl: https://ebird.org/species/blfowl1
- Elf Owl: https://ebird.org/species/elfowl?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Northern Pygmy-Owl: https://ebird.org/species/norpyo1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Bay Owls: https://ebird.org/species/orbowl1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Burrowing Owl: https://ebird.org/species/burowl
- Owls' silent flight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_FEaFgJyfA&ab_channel=BBCEarth
Our two week late Halloween special. Join me for a quick romp to meet five birds with some creepy vibes.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
Notes:
- Genus Corvus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvus
- The Heck's Intelligence: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/8718335-the-heck-s-intelligence
- New Caledonian Crow: https://ebird.org/species/neccro1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- The Raven: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48860/the-raven
- The Magic Circle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magic_Circle_(Waterhouse_paintings)
- Great Tit: https://ebird.org/species/gretit1
- Paracitic Birds: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/11093471-parasite-bird
- Common Loon: https://ebird.org/species/comloo?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Marabou Stork: https://ebird.org/species/marsto1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Where'd all my Vultures go?: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/11013993-where-d-all-my-vultures-go
- Shoebill: https://ebird.org/species/shoebi1
Today we're going to talk about nests. What are, how are they made, what's their deal? Also, how does each type of nest design compare to each other on a five star rating? It's a question no-one thought to ask until now. So join me as I review nest.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
Notes
- The Heck's a Nest: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/8597804-the-heck-s-a-nest
- The Tristan Albatross: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/8788007-the-tristan-albatross
- American Robin: https://ebird.org/species/amerob/L1210588
- Hummingbirds: https://ebird.org/species/rthhum
- Yellow-rumped Thornbill: https://ebird.org/species/yertho1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Hornero: https://ebird.org/species/rufhor2?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Wrybill: https://ebird.org/species/wrybil1
- Sociable Weaver: https://ebird.org/species/socwea1
- Cape Penduline Tit: https://ebird.org/species/soptit1
- Tailorbird: https://ebird.org/species/comtai1
- Potoo: https://ebird.org/species/compot1
- Barn Swallow: https://ebird.org/species/barswa?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Edible-nest Swiftlet: https://ebird.org/species/ednswi1
- Belted Kingfisher: https://ebird.org/species/belkin1
- Woodpecker: https://ebird.org/species/rebwoo
- Elf Owl: https://ebird.org/species/elfowl
- Grebe: https://ebird.org/species/gregre1
- Albatross: https://ebird.org/species/wanalb3?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Brush Turkey: https://ebird.org/species/ausbrt1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Purple Martin: https://ebird.org/species/purmar
Maybe you've heard of the Great Emu War, popularly known as that time Australia declared war on a bird, and lost. But what is the real story? Was in a war, or was it a tokenistic pest control operation ... with machine guns? This week we dive into the misguided story. We learn some fun facts about Emus and meet the mysterious Major G. P. W. Meredith, the officer placed in command of the operation.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
Notes
- The Emu: https://ebird.org/species/emu1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Flightless Birds episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/11317493-flightless-birds
- Australian Coat of Arms: https://www.pmc.gov.au/government/commonwealth-coat-arms
- Emus can walk backwards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65-XthWr9kY&ab_channel=CheepChickenpeep
- Tinamous: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinamou#Egg-laying
- Sir George Pearce: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Pearce
- Gwynydd Purves Wynne-Aubrey Meredith: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/i-was-only-doing-my-job-by-ros-3994702/episodes/the-great-emu-war-hbrig-gen-gw-126143343
- John Cleese Emu War movie: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/john-cleese-jim-jefferies-great-emu-war-2021-afm-1235037607/
For birds, flight is their whole schtick. To come across a bird that doesn't fly gives us pause. Flight gives a bird so many advantages, why would they ever give it up? Well, if conditions are just right sometimes it can make sense. Join me today to discover what forces can compel a bird to give up the sky.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
Notes:
- Penguin Extravaganza!: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/10464354-penguin-extravaganza
- Ratites: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratite
- Keels: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keel_(bird_anatomy)
- Ostrich: https://ebird.org/species/ostric2
- Cassowary: https://ebird.org/species/soucas1
- Terror Birds: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phorusrhacidae
- Demon Ducks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromornithidae
- Kiwi: https://ebird.org/species/nibkiw1
- Kakapo: https://ebird.org/species/kakapo2
- Takahe: https://ebird.org/species/takahe3/
- Inaccessible Island Rail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inaccessible_Island_rail
- Waiting for Godot (bird astride the grave): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_for_Godot
- Giant Coot: https://ebird.org/species/giacoo1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Kagu: https://ebird.org/species/kagu1
- Junin Grebe: https://ebird.org/species/jungre1
- Titicaca Grebe: https://ebird.org/species/titgre1
- Flightless Steamer Duck: https://ebird.org/species/flistd1
- Steamer Duck ... steaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKAUA-g6sp8&ab_channel=JohnViveiros
- Lyall's Wren: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyall%27s_wren
- A Tale of Two Islands: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/9071817-a-tale-of-two-islands
In part two of our exploration of the parasites of the bird world we meet the brood parasites: the birds that lay their eggs in other birds' nests. They are the dead-beat parents who can't be bothered raising their own young. But while we might think of these birds as the lowest of cheats, when we dig further we discover that being a freeloader isn't as easy as it seems. They have evolved a range of impressive traits that make them successful birds. So join me today to learn about Cuckoos and their other parasitic kin.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
Notes:
- Brood parasitism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brood_parasite
- The Family Cuculiformes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuckoo
- Cowbirds: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowbird
- Indigobirds: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viduidae
- Honeyguides: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeyguide
- Cuckoo Duck: https://ebird.org/species/blhduc1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Village Indigobird: https://ebird.org/species/vilind
- Pacific Koel: https://ebird.org/species/asikoe3?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Greater Honeyguide: https://ebird.org/species/grehon2
- Common Hawk-Cuckoo: https://ebird.org/species/cohcuc1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Drongo-cuckoos: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surniculus
- Shining Bronze-cuckoo: https://ebird.org/species/shbcuc1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Fairy-wrens sing to their eggs: https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2012.11779#:~:text=Superb%20fairy%2Dwren%20(Malurus%20cyaneus,they%20want%20to%20get%20fed.
- American Goldfinch: https://ebird.org/species/amegfi
When we think of parasites we're more likely to think of a mosquito or a leech, some gross bug that latches onto you and sucks your blood. We wouldn't normally think of a bird, but there are many freeloading birds out there, more than willing to take advantage of another animal. There are even some birds that suck blood. Today we're going to a rarely visited corner of the avian world to find vampires, pirates and changelings. It's going to be fun.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
**Notes:
Types of parasites:**
- Fish tongue parasite: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymothoa_exigua
- Phantom orchid: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cephalanthera_austiniae
- Zombie ant fungus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiocordyceps_unilateralis
- Crab parasite: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacculina
- Mistletoe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistletoe
- Rat parasite: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasma_gondii
Today's birds:
- Sword-billed hummingbird: https://ebird.org/species/swbhum1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Screech owl: https://ebird.org/species/easowl1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Screech owl and blind snakes: https://www.earthtouchnews.com/natural-world/animal-behaviour/screech-owls-keep-blind-snakes-as-live-in-housekeepers/
- Cattle Tyrant: https://ebird.org/species/cattyr?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Flowerpiercer: https://ebird.org/species/rusflo1
- Skua: https://ebird.org/species/brnsku3
- Tropicbird: https://ebird.org/species/whttro
- Frigatebird: https://ebird.org/species/grefri?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Tropic V Frigate: https://ebird.org/species/grefri?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Oxpecker: https://ebird.org/species/reboxp1
- Vampire Ground Finch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire_ground_finch
- Blue footed booby: https://ebird.org/species/bfoboo?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Blue footed booby mating dance: https://ebird.org/species/bfoboo?siteLanguage=en_AU
- White winged chough: https://ebird.org/species/whwcho1?siteLanguage=en_AU
They may not be the prettiest bird flapping about, but the humble vultures plays an incredibly important role in their ecosystem, performing waster removal, disease reduction and recycling nutrients back into the food chain.
Sadly though, vultures are in trouble, having seen a 90% reduction in their population in recent years. To find out more about these fascinating birds, and learn what's killing them all in one handy 30 minute episode.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
Notes:
- Old World Vultures: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_World_vulture
- New World Vultures: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_World_vulture
- Convergent evolution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convergent_evolution
- Vulturine Guineafowl: https://ebird.org/species/vulgui1
- Vulturine Parrot: https://ebird.org/species/vulpar1
- Highest flying bird: https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/wilson/v086n04/p0461-p0462.pdf
- Why do vultures have bald heads?: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306456508000107
- Circling vultures: https://www.audubon.org/news/a-closer-look-how-vultures-lazily-circle-air-1
- Vulture population collapse: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/hooded-vultures-extinction-africa-mass-poisoning
The Murray-Darling Basin is an important ecosystem in Australia that supports thousands of birds and this year there has been a bird breeding boom, thanks to a couple of floods. This is the first time in nearly a decade that there has been a breeding event on this scale. It means many birds have had a vital boost to their population. Join me to find out more.
Special thanks to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for providing information and a fact check on this episode.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
Notes:
- Murray-Darling Basin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darling_River
- Water bird baby boom: https://www.awe.gov.au/water/cewo/media-release/waterbird-baby-boom-expected-early-2022
- Australian White Ibis: https://ebird.org/species/ausibi1?siteLanguage=en_AU#:~:text=Common%20white%20and%20black%20ibis,its%20habit%20of%20scavenging%20food.
- Straw-necked Ibis: https://ebird.org/species/stnibi1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Royal Spoonbill: https://ebird.org/australia/species/royspo1/AU-VIC-GGE
- Australian Pelican: https://ebird.org/species/auspel1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Intermediate Egret (I say Heron in the ep, but I mean Egret): https://ebird.org/species/integr?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Bin Chicken song (explicit): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO-OpFjHRbE&ab_channel=VanVuurenBros
- Pelican eats pigeon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sTUSnUgDXI&ab_channel=Videoss4Fun
- La Nina: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Ni%C3%B1a
- Commonwealth Environment Water Office: https://www.awe.gov.au/water/cewo
- Murray-Darling Local Engagement Officers: https://www.awe.gov.au/water/cewo/local-engagement
- Stay up to date on the birds CEWH twitter: https://twitter.com/theCEWH
There are few Australian birds as famous as the Magpie. They are famous/infamous for exactly two things: their beautiful song and their murderous nature. Most people love them, some people loath them. Today I am joined by our old friend Bradly, an avid Magpie hater, as we try to learn something more about this famous bird and see if we can't spread the bird love.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
Notes
- The Australian Magpie - https://ebird.org/species/ausmag2?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Magpie attacks cyclist - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj9O6tyKK-o&ab_channel=Newsflare
- Online Magpie data base - https://www.magpiealert.com/
- Do eyes on a helmet work? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGGTcYfrEZU&ab_channel=MichaelBillings
- Magpie court - https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2019/04/here-are-4-things-you-definitely-didnt-know-about-aussie-magpies/?fbclid=IwAR03nJ8lBn1btaXccEqcPhihXm0TXHtfQFV5TyoWMiWIeOm2lgW9Uvr4tC8
Last time we met the Penguins, and learned that they are almost totally confined to the Southern Hemisphere. Despite how perfect it would be, there are no Penguins in the Artic. But did you know, Penguins were named after a now extinct northern dwelling bird, the Great Auk? So, what was this bird's deal and where did they go? Great questions, and as always I have the answers. Join me for a romp to the past and the far north and we'll learn a thing to two.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at weekly.bird@outlook.com and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
Notes:
- Catch up on the Penguin background: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733312/10464354-penguin-extravaganza
- Great Auk: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_auk
- Convergent evolution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convergent_evolution
- Common Eider: https://birdoftheweek.home.blog/2020/01/14/bird-88-common-eider/
- The Little Ice Age: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Ice_Age
Penguins are one of the least bird-like birds getting around. We're told we should never judge a fish by its ability to fly, but this is a bird that wants to be judged by its ability to swim. Where the heck did Penguins come from, why did they abandon the sky and how do they stand on ice all day without getting frost bite? These are all questions, and if you join me on this journey you might even get a couple of answers.
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
Notes:
- Counter-current heat exchange: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countercurrent_exchange
- Countershading camouflage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countershading
One summer night in June 2009, Edwin Rist broke into the Tring natural history museum and stole nearly 300 preserved birds worth some quarter of a million pounds. Join us for the second part of our story as we go through the details of how Edwin committed his heist, was eventually caught and then how the court case shook out. It is one wild ride, so strap yourself in.
This story was brought to public attention by Kirk Wallace Johnson in his amazing book, The Feather Thief: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-feather-thief-9780099510666
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
Notes
- Alfred Russel Wallace: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Russel_Wallace
- Wallace's Standardwing: https://ebird.org/species/walsta2
- Buy your own glass cutter: https://www.mitre10.com.au/supercraft-glass-cutter-diamond-180mm
- Sir Simon Baron-Cohen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Baron-Cohen
- Gibson court case: https://www.iol.co.za/news/world/grave-robbers-caught-after-posing-for-photos-56637
- Rist court case: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-14352867
Disclaimer:
We touch on some legal issues in this episode, so just in case you get any ideas - Nothing in this podcast constitutes legal advice and should not be relied on as such. You should seek your own legal or other professional advice in relation to any particular matter.
One summer night in June 2009, Edwin Rist broke into the Tring natural history museum and stole nearly 300 preserved birds worth some quarter of a million pounds. How he pulled off this crime, what motivated him, and how he was caught is one wild story. Join us for part one of this story as we lay the ground work and explain how some quirks of history lead to this crime.
This story was brought to public attention by Kirk Wallace Johnson in his amazing book, The Feather Thief: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-feather-thief-9780099510666
To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name?, click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Would you like some bird art in your life? Then visit Seni Illustration for some bespoke bird art: https://www.seniillustrations.com/
Notes
Birds:
- Spangled Cotinga: https://ebird.org/species/spacot1
- Red-ruffed Fruitcrow: https://ebird.org/species/rerfru1
- Resplendent Quetzal: https://ebird.org/species/resque1?siteLanguage=en_AU
- Superb Bird-of-Paradise: https://ebird.org/species/vosbop1/
- King Bird-of-Paradise: https://ebird.org/species/kbopar1
Feather Trade: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plume_hunting
Salmon flies: https://www.google.com/search?q=salmon+flies&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiFm4GOi9z2AhWek9gFHSjVB_kQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=salmon+fl&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgBMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDoECAAQQzoGCAAQBxAeOggIABCABBCxA1CpBljZB2DuF2gAcAB4AIABtwGIAfcDkgEDMC4zmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=wf46YsW2D56n4t4PqKqfyA8&bih=714&biw=1536&hl=en
George Mortimer Kelson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Kelson
Lionel Walter Rothschild: https://www.lindahall.org/lionel-walter-rothschild/
Tring Natural History Museum: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/tring.html
Ever wanted to know everything there is know about Hummingbirds? Good news, this is your one-stop shop for all things humming.
Notes:
Buff-tailed Sicklebill: https://ebird.org/species/butsic1
Sword-billed Hummingbird: https://ebird.org/species/swbhum1
Tooth-billed Hummingbird: https://ebird.org/species/tobhum1
Marvelous Spatuletail: https://ebird.org/species/marspa1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: https://ebird.org/species/rthhum?siteLanguage=en_AU
Love your weekly bird (delivered on a non-weekly basis), then why not consider supporting the show and getting access to our second podcast all about how birds get their names. Find out more at Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Fancy getting some avian artwork to liven up your home, check out Seni Illustrations: www.seniillustrations.com
We interrupt your normal podcast to bring you a special announcement. Bird of the Week is changing how it is delivered. Too many people want birds and we've outgrown our old email server. The Weekly Bird is switching to a new provider, but sadly such services don't come cheap.
To help cover some costs Bird of the Week now has a patreon page. If you love your weekly bird and would like to help us so we don't accidentally bankrupt ourselves sending whimsical bird emails, they click on over. I would be forever grateful, and as a special thank you, you will also get access to a special patreon only second podcast -- What's Up With That Bird's Name. Each episode will look at a bird and ask the question how did it end up with the name it has. We'll learn some Latin, some natural history, and discover that many birds are very poorly named. A free taste of the show on the Australia Magpie follows this special announcement.
And hey, I get it, signing up for an ongoing contribution may not be everyone's thing, so if you'd like to say a one off thank you for the birds, that would be swell too, and I have set up a Ko-Fi page as well.
Thanks for listening, thanks for reading, and thanks for sharing. I really do appreciate it.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/birdoftheweek
Last time we learned about how birds preform their great feats of migration. This week we learn about the long scientific history and the many experiments ornithologists conducted to discover the truth of how they do. From birds on the moon and sleeping under frozen ponds to satellite tracking, we've come a long way with our science. Join me as we retrace the theories.
Also see if you can spot the places that were re-recorded...
NOTES
- Birds on the Moon: https://www.wired.com/2014/10/fantastically-wrong-scientist-thought-birds-migrate-moon/
- Ain't no air in space: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160419-the-victorians-who-flew-as-high-as-jets
- Hibernating Swallows: https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/n5194/html/11_green.xhtml?referer=&page=15
- Common Poorwill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_poorwill
- Zugunruhe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zugunruhe
- Pfeilstorch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pfeilstorch
- Hans Mortensen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Christian_Cornelius_Mortensen
- Herodotus and crocodiles: https://books.google.com.au/books?id=_whgJIh_u9gC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA4&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
For a detailed history on the history of the science around avian hibernation I recommend Tim Birkhead's study The Wisdom of Birds.
We all know that birds fly south for the winter ... unless you're in the southern hemisphere, then they fly north. But for for a migrating bird it isn't a simply case of flying from A to B. A bird not only has to find its way but build up the strength to make marathon flights, and no two birds perform their migration in the same way. So join me this week as in dig into one of the most remarkable bird behaviour.
Notes
- The world's largest dyke: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saemangeum_Seawall
- Operation Migration: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Migration
- No fish besmirches my brand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4pxLHG0Wzs&ab_channel=BBCEarth
The 12 Days of Christmas is an old yuletide favourite, doubly so because of all the birds in its lyrics. But the history of this song is rather long and complex. Just why is that Partridge in a pear tree, and what even is a Calling Bird? Join me this festive season as we break down some birds and get to the bottom of this old, folk carol.
NotesFrank Kelly's The 12 Days of ChristmasThe Greek Myth of Perdix
Bresse GauloiseTheme music: Jingle Bells, by Scott Holmes Music
There is maybe no bird more polarising than the pigeon. While some people (me) look at these city-dwelling birds and see perfection in avian form, other (wrong) people see disgusting sky rats. Today, I've invited two friends to join me in conversation to see if I can turn a pigeon hater into a pigeon lover.
Notes
- Our friend the Rock Dove
- Squab
- Pigeons can identify cancer
- Pigeons can (sorta) read
- Pigeons and sea search and rescue
- Project Pigeon
- B. F. Skinner and gambling
- Other B. F. Skinner experiments
- Cher Ami
- Jacobin Pigeons
- English Pouter
- Frill Back
- Saxony Fairy Swallow
The fact that birds have names is an incredibly handy thing. Instead of just pointing and making a grunting noise every time a pretty bird flies by we can label it with a name, which is ever so frightfully convenient.
But how do birds get their names? This there some mysterious bird naming authority? Do they have rules? Can they be broken? Is there any controversy? Well, the answer to all of those questions is yes. And in this episode I would like to take you on journey through the strange world of bird naming conventions that you didn't even know existed.
Take a step out your front door and you'll be instantly confronted with many species of bird. But have you ever wondered, just how many different ones are there. Simple enough questions, just grab a clipboard and start counting... Except no. It turns out this is one of the trickiest problems in biology, and isn't helped by the fact that we don't even have a consistent definition for a species is. This week we're going to dive in and try to untangle this problem, and see if we can't come up with a count of just how many birds are in this big old world. Or maybe we'll get side-tracked along the way. Who can say?
Today we know of 42 Birds-of-Paradise, but if we went back to 1930, there were nearly 60 in the family. So where did those 20 or so birds go? They are sometimes known as the Lost Birds-of-Paradise, and still today they're a bit of a mystery. In this week's episode we're going to meet a couple, find out where they went and try to get to the bottom of these forgotten members of this most stunning family.
In New Guinea there is a family of birds that has captured the imagination of naturalists and ornithologists for hundreds of years. They are the Birds-of-Paradise, and when it comes to sheer beauty they are unrivalled in avian world. Not only are they beautiful, but they possess feathers that other birds just don't have: crests, epaulets, flank plumes and tails so exaggerated as to make a Peacock blush. Yet, it has only been in recent years that we have come to understand how these birds use their feathers, and what forces drove them to become so splendid. Join me as we crack the mystery and explore the most remarkable family of birds on earth.
Thanks to their isolation and unique conditions, islands tend to boast a wide array of biodiversity found nowhere else on earth. But while this makes them special places, it also makes them vulnerable to outside influence. Many island dwelling birds across the globe are at risk of extinction. In this episode we'll look at a two islands, Guam and Mauritius, we'll find out what makes them so fragile, see what happens when things go wrong, but also see that we can always chart a path back to recovery.
Birds come in all shapes and sizes, but once a bird gets on an island all bets are off. They are a hotbed of avian biodiversity, and in this episode we'll find out just what exactly it is about tiny spits of land surrounded by deadly, deadly ocean that causes birds to become radically different from their continental cousins.
On a windswept, rain-drenched spit of land in the Atlantic Ocean lives the Tristan Albatross. They're a majestic bird that has landed itself in a spot of bother. Join me as we find out what makes these giant birds special, learn how a hoard of mice has pushed them to the edge of extinction, and meet the fine folks working to save them.
And hey, if you've got a spare penny to help out a bird in need why not flap over to https://www.goughisland.com/ and show these birds some love.
From language and tool use, to social learning and trickery, there's almost no limit to the fancy feats of avian mental gymnastics. Can they beat you at chess, can they fill out your tax return? Probably not, but join me as we go on a romp to find out just how smart birds can be.
Just what is a nest and why do birds make them? Join us as we explore the strange world of avian construction.
Last time we asked 'what is a bird'? This time we're going even deeper. We're taking a tour of the 10,000 species of birds flip-flappin' their way around this planet.