The Science of Birds

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-throated Treerunner (Pygarrhychus albogularis). White-throated Treerunner sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC49939 and XC52238) Support the show

👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In this episode, host Ivan Phillipsen dives into the diverse and sometimes mysterious world of the avian family Cuculidae. While the family is famous for the iconic call of the Common Cuckoo and cultural icons like the Cocoa Puffs mascot, it also includes a wide array of other fascinating birds such as roadrunners, coucals, couas, anis, and malkohas. Learn about the unique biological traits and behaviors that define this cosmopolitan group. From their distinctive zygodactyl feet and plumage variations to their innate, genetically-programmed vocalizations. The episode also highlights the famous behavior of brood parasitism—where some cuckoos leave their young to be raised by other species—as well as the physical adaptations that allow others to thrive as terrestrial sprinters or arboreal skulkers. Links of Interest Striped Cuckoo "jazz hands" foragingLink to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the show

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 Yellow-eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes). Support the show

👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ This is Episode 128. How does a bird travel thousands of miles across the globe only to return to the exact same backyard or nest site year after year? This episode explores the fascinating science behind avian navigation. Learn the difference between simple orientation and "true navigation," uncovering how birds reach specific destinations they have never even visited before. The discussion dives into the bird’s "map-and-compass" toolkit, highlighting a range of incredible adaptations. From internal biological clocks and genetic blueprints to the ability to "see" magnetic fields through quantum physics, the episode breaks down how birds interpret the world around them. Whether they are tracking the sun, the stars, or even atmospheric scents, birds take a multi-sensory approach to get from one place to another. Finally, the episode examines the role of experience versus instinct, explaining how juvenile birds navigate their first solo journeys and how seasoned adults build complex mental maps of the planet. Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the show

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 Groundscraper Thrush (Turdus litsitsirupa) Groundscraper Thrush sounds: Wikimedia file and Xeno Canto recording XC347146) Support the show

👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ Episode 127 of The Science of Birds is Ivan Phillipsen’s annual review of fascinating ornithology stories from 2025. Learn about a handful of standout studies that deepened what we know about birds, from major developments in global bird taxonomy to surprising insights about behavior, evolution, and conservation. After a few featured deeper dives, the episode shifts into a rapid-fire “Speed Round,” spotlighting a flurry of bite-sized discoveries. The episode wraps with some notable 2025 taxonomy updates (splits, lumps, and reclassifications) and a brief personal year-in-review for Ivan and the podcast itself. Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website Earlham College - A fantastic place to get an education, especially if you love birds Support the show

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 Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus) Asian Dowitcher sounds (Xeno Canto recordings XC349045 and XC806613) Support the show

👕 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 Interest A Herring Gull “foot pattering” on grassLink to this episode on the Science of Birds website Earlham College - A fantastic place to get an education, especially if you love birds Bird Merch - See the NEW shirt designs! Support the show

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

👕 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 website Bird Merch - See the NEW shirt designs! Support the show

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

👕 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 Interest Northern Mockingbird Wing FlashingCatbird singingLink to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the show

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 Arabian Bustard (Aredotis arabs). Support the show

👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In Episode 123 Ivan Phillipsen explores the fascinating world of subspecies—the diversity that exists within bird species. Learn how these populations arise, why ornithologists sometimes struggle to define them, and what makes the concept so important for both science and conservation. From the record-breaking Island Thrush, once thought to have more subspecies than any other bird, to chickadees, sparrows, and hawks closer to home, Ivan shares examples that highlight just how complex and surprising intraspecific variation can be. Along the way, he touches on genetics, evolution, and the challenges of naming and classifying birds in a way that truly reflects reality. Whether you’re a birder, a naturalist, or just curious about how new species begin, this episode offers a clear and engaging look at the “gray zone” between populations and species—and why it matters for birding, science, and conservation. Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the show

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-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus). Support the show

👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ This is Episode 122. Host Ivan Phillipsen takes listeners into the vast sagebrush steppe of western North America and introduces the remarkable birds that call it home—the sage grouse. These birds are icons of the American West, tightly bound to a rugged ecosystem that covers nearly a third of the lower 48 states. Ivan explores how sage grouse have evolved to thrive on a diet of sagebrush—plants laced with bitter, toxic chemicals that most animals avoid. From their unusual digestive adaptations to their elaborate courtship displays, these birds reveal fascinating strategies for survival in a tough landscape. Listeners will learn about the two species of sage grouse, their distinctive appearances and behaviors, and the conservation challenges they face today. Links of Interest Body-popping sage grouse - Nature's Greatest DancersLink to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the show

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 Streak-backed Oriole (Icterus pustulatus). Support the show

👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ This is Episode 121. In this unscripted “From the Field” episode, host Ivan Phillipsen takes listeners on an immersive, unscripted journey through his recent month-long travels in Japan. Splitting his time between scouting for a future birding tour and exploring for fun, Ivan revisits the country for the first time since spending a formative summer there as an 11-year-old. He reflects on Japan’s geography, climate, and rich biogeographic history, from its tectonic origins to its unique mix of endemic species, setting the stage for the birding adventures that unfold. Ivan’s travels span Tokyo’s green spaces, the slopes of Mount Fuji, the rice paddies and alps of central Honshu, and the wild northern landscapes of Hokkaido. Along the way, he shares encounters with both common and rare birds—species like Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Japanese Grosbeak, Masked Bunting, Narcissus Flycatcher, and the iconic Red-crowned Crane. Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the show

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the idea 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 deserve some appreciation and attention. SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the White-whiskered Puffbird. Support the show

👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In this episode—which is Number 120—Ivan answers questions sent in by listeners. So this is what we call an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode. The listeners who get to contribute questions for these Ask Me Anything episodes are members of the Science of Birds community on Patreon. There are several tiers of support that people can join, and at the Helpful Hornbill and Awesome Osprey level, one perk is getting to contribute questions for episodes like this one. So if you’d like to have Ivan answer your bird questions in a future episode, consider signing up on the Patreon page, and become a Helpful Hornbill or an Awesome Osprey. Support the show