Podcast

Do Magpies Like Stealing Shiny Things?
April 15, 2019 — An experiment put the bird's thieving reputation to the test.
Belted Kingfishers Nest in Burrows Up to 15 Feet Long
April 08, 2019 — You鈥檇 never guess that these regal birds use their claws and beak to tunnel through muddy riverbanks.
House Hunting Is a Prickly Affair in the Arizona Desert
April 01, 2019 — In a mostly tree-free terrain, saguaros play host to woodpeckers and other cavity-nesting species.
Hummingbird Flight Is Like Nothing Else in the Bird World
March 25, 2019 — These talented fliers can hover, whiz forward and backward, and come to a complete stop in an instant.
Do You Know What a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Sounds Like?
March 18, 2019 — A surprisingly good mimic, this teensy bird has a squeaky song that samples several other species.
The Little Blue Heron's Color Swap
March 04, 2019 — When young, the birds are white, but by the time they reach adulthood, they become dark blue. Why?
What Are Wattles For?
February 25, 2019 — That flap of bumpy red skin hanging off a male turkey's face is both functional and fashionable.
Some Birds Enter A Hibernation-Like State Called Torpor to Survive Winter's Chill
February 15, 2019 — To save heat and energy, Common Poorwills can dial down their heart rate, breathing, and body temperature for weeks at a time.
What Is an Owl Pellet?
February 11, 2019 — Unable to digest the teeth, bones, and feathers of prey, owls regurgitate the remains in a single nugget.
Crow Pairs Strengthen Their Bond Through Preening
February 04, 2019 — A rarely seen (and heard) behavior shows us one way crows show affection.