The Science of Birds

The Science of Birds is a lighthearted exploration of bird biology. It's a fun resource for any birder or naturalist who wants to learn more about ornithology. Impress your birding friends at cocktail parties with all of your new bird knowledge! Hosted by Ivan Phillipsen, a passionate naturalist with a PhD in Zoology.

123 episodes transcribed
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The Common Loon

Episode Date: January 13, 2022

This episode—which is Number 43—is all about the Common Loon, Gavia immer. People in Europe may know it as the Great Northern Diver.This bird is a sym...

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Swallows and Martins

Episode Date: December 23, 2021

This episode is all about birds in the family Hirundinidae. These are the swallows and martins.Other than when they’re nesting, swallows are in the ai...

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Fire and Birds

Episode Date: December 7, 2021

Ecologists and ornithologists have been studying the effects of wildfire on bird populations all over the world. Their research has resulted in many f...

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New World Vultures

Episode Date: November 3, 2021

This episode is about the seven bird species in the family Cathartidae: the New World vultures and condors.This group includes species like the Turkey...

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How Birds Fly

Episode Date: October 20, 2021

Birds, probably more than any other aerial creatures, have amazed and inspired us with the grace and power of their flight. So just how do they do it?...

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Penguins

Episode Date: September 29, 2021

This episode is all about penguins. All penguins belong to the family Spheniscidae.Penguins are among the most bizarre and specialized birds in the wo...

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Wetlands as Bird Habitat

Episode Date: September 15, 2021

In this episode, we’re going to look at wetlands as habitats for birds.We’ll start with how to recognize—how to define—a wetland ecosystem. Then, we’l...

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Roadrunners

Episode Date: September 1, 2021

This episode is all about the bird species in the genus Geococcyx. There are only two: the Greater Roadrunner and the Lesser Roadrunner. People in Nor...

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eBird and Citizen Science

Episode Date: August 21, 2021

eBird is a digital archive of bird observations. It’s a database of observations from across the planet. eBird users connect to the database via the I...

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Pigeons and Doves

Episode Date: July 30, 2021

This episode is all about birds in the family Columbidae. These are all the world’s many species of pigeons and doves.These birds are more exotic and...

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The Birds of Alaska

Episode Date: July 20, 2021

Alaska is a truly amazing place that is still dominated by nature. It’s a wonderful region to explore for anyone who loves birds and charismatic megaf...

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The Shoebill

Episode Date: June 10, 2021

The Shoebill is a tall, gray bird that appears more dinosaur-like than most members of the class Aves. You aren’t likely to confuse it with any other...

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New World Warblers

Episode Date: May 12, 2021

New World Warblers are all the birds in the family Parulidae. You’ll sometimes hear these birds referred to as ‘Wood-Warblers.’New World Warblers are...

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Sandpipers

Episode Date: April 11, 2021

Birds in the family Scolopacidae include all the world’s sandpipers and birds such as godwits, curlews, snipes, dowitchers, willets, stints, and more....

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Bird Intelligence

Episode Date: March 28, 2021

Our understanding of bird brains and intelligence has grown tremendously in the last couple decades.Thanks to countless scientific studies, we now kno...

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Vermilion Flycatcher

Episode Date: March 7, 2021

The Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) is a charming bird found in the arid southwest of the United States, as well as in Mexico and down to...