👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~In this episode—which is number 126—Ivan Phillipsen heads to the seashore to explore the iconic Herring Gulls whose calls define the soundscape of coasts across North America and Europe. Listeners meet not just one but two species: the American Herring Gull and the European Herring Gull, nearly identical in appearance but with a surprisingly twisty evolutionary backstory.Ivan breaks down what makes these gulls such compelling birds: their “menacing” expressions, complex vocal repertoire, opportunistic diets (including bags of Doritos), and clever foraging tricks like dropping clams from the air and tap-dancing for earthworms. He also looks at how these gulls live and raise their young—forming long-term pair bonds, nesting in dense gulleries, and fiercely defending their territories in ways that some unlucky humans have experienced up close.Once persecuted, then booming, and now declining in some regions, these birds tell a story that’s far more complicated than being “just seagulls.”Links of InterestA Herring Gull “foot pattering” on grass [VIDEO]Link to this episode on the Science of Birds websiteEarlham College - A fantastic place to get an education, especially if you love birds Bird Merch - See the NEW shirt designs!Support the show
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48:15
Random Bird Thursday: A Species with an Executioner’s Axe for a Face
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the White-thighed Hornbill (Bycanistes albotibialis)White-thighed Hornbill sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC617118)Support the show
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15:01
How Birds Breathe: The Avian Respiratory System
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~This is Episode 125. Host Ivan Phillipsen takes listeners inside the amazing respiratory system of birds. He starts by grounding the topic in familiar territory—how mammal lungs work—before revealing how different the avian system really is.The episode walks through the unique division of labor between birds’ small, rigid lungs and their large air sacs, and explains the elegant, one-way flow of air that keeps oxygen constantly moving across gas exchange surfaces.The episode also looks back in time, exploring how this respiratory design first evolved. Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation of what’s happening inside every bird with each breath.Link to this episode on the Science of Birds websiteEarlham College - A fantastic place to get an education, especially if you love birds Bird Merch - See the NEW shirt designs!Support the show
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Random Bird Thursday: A Sparrow-sized Drummer from the Neotropics
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the Little Woodpecker (Veniliornis passerinus)Support the show
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Mockingbirds and Thrashers
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~This is Episode 124. Host Ivan Phillipsen takes you on a tour of Mimidae—the New World family that includes mockingbirds, thrashers, catbirds, and tremblers. He describes the key features of these songbirds and what sets them apart.Ivan explores the sounds that make this family famous: rich, extended songs, dazzling vocal control, and—for many species—impressive mimicry.You'll also learn about mimid diversity and evolution, from North American backyards to Caribbean islands and desert specialists of the Southwest, plus a look at conservation challenges facing some species.Links of InterestNorthern Mockingbird Wing Flashing [VIDEO]Catbird singing [VIDEO]Link to this episode on the Science of Birds websiteEarlham College - A fantastic place to get an education, especially if you love birds Bird Merch - See the NEW shirt designs!Support the show
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 professional birding guide and passionate naturalist with a PhD in Zoology.
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