Laura Erickson's For the Birds
Science Podcasts
"For the Birds" began airing on KUMD in Duluth, MN, in May, 1986, and is the longest continually-running radio program about birds in the U.S. Hundreds more episodes are available for free at http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/.
Location:
United States
Description:
"For the Birds" began airing on KUMD in Duluth, MN, in May, 1986, and is the longest continually-running radio program about birds in the U.S. Hundreds more episodes are available for free at http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/.
Language:
English
Episodes
Don't Count Your Chickens...
5/1/2024
Chickens haven't established themselves as wild, feral birds in most places in the world, but they're still the most abundant bird on the planet.
Duration:00:05:59
Here come the chickens!
4/18/2024
If chickens found their way to Hawaii on their own, things would have worked out okay for everyone. Unfortunately, they brought humans along, too.
Duration:00:05:05
The Sapsucker–Hummingbird Connection
4/17/2024
During spring migration, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds usually arrive a couple of weeks after Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers do, for a very good reason.
Duration:00:05:51
Hawaii before chickens and humans arrived
4/16/2024
Millions of years ago, Hawaii was off to a rocky start.
Duration:00:05:47
Chickens, Part 1.5: Kin of Chickens
4/11/2024
The rules of counting non-native birds are not always consistent.
Duration:00:05:54
Chickens, Part I: Domestication
4/10/2024
The most abundant bird on the planet, feeding billions of humans every day, is the chicken. Laura talks about how they became domesticated and some genetic differences between domestic birds and their wild ancestor, the Red Junglefowl. The recording used in this program is of a wild Red Junglefowl in India, recorded and contributed to Xeno-Canto by Lars Lachmann.
Duration:00:05:38
Solar Eclipse!
4/8/2024
Laura remembers a wonderful eclipse from three decades ago.
Duration:00:05:57
Trip Guilt and Guilt Trips
4/5/2024
Is using energy always the same as squandering it?
Duration:00:05:19
Redpolls!
4/3/2024
Along with Duluth's spring blizzard came redpolls! (In the background throughout, the sound is a recording of the redpolls at Laura's feeder made this past Saturday, March 30.)
Duration:00:05:26
Jim Baker Announces a New Product!
4/1/2024
New for the traveling birder!
Duration:00:04:19
Flaco: Post Mortem
3/29/2024
A post-mortem established that Flaco, the famous Eurasian Eagle-Owl whom a vandal released from the Central Park Zoo, was carrying lethal amounts of three anti-coagulants, a pigeon herpesvirus, and even a toxic metabolite of the pesticide DDT. Is anyone actually "free" if they have no alternative but to eat poisoned food?
Duration:00:05:43
Stopping by Peabody Street on a Snowy Morning
3/27/2024
Laura waxes poetic about a poet.
Duration:00:04:24
Separation Anxiety
3/26/2024
It's hard watching children, or a Pileated Woodpecker, move on to independence.
Duration:00:04:33
Every Day Is a Gift, Part 3: The Big Island
3/25/2024
The second half of Laura's trip to Hawaii was just as wonderful as the first.
Duration:00:05:37
Every Day Is a Gift, Part 2: Kauaʻi
3/21/2024
Laura's trip to Hawaii kept getting better.
Duration:00:05:07
Every Day Is a Gift, Part I: Oahu
3/20/2024
Laura's trip to Hawaii was wonderful, every single day.
Duration:00:06:02
Our Changing World
3/1/2024
The only constant is change, for better and for worse.
Duration:00:06:14
Why I Live in Duluth
2/29/2024
What drew Laura and her husband Russ to Duluth in 1981?
Duration:00:04:26
February Update
2/28/2024
How can it be spring before winter even arrives?
Duration:00:04:58
Death of a New York Celebrity: Flaco the Owl
2/27/2024
Flaco the Eurasian Eagle-Owl whose enclosure in the Central Park Zoo was vandalized, leading to his escape on February 2, 2023, died Friday.
Duration:00:05:39