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What Do Desert Birds Drink? Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

In the desert Southwest, water can be scarce. Yet some birds, like this Black-throated Sparrow, thrive in a scorching landscape. The birds obtain moisture from foods like nectar and fruit, as well as insects and other prey. They tuck into the shade in the heat of the day, so they won’t lose water in panting. And they have extremely efficient kidneys, so they excrete almost no liquid. Amazing!

The soundscapes featured in this episode were recorded by Gordon Hempton and provided courtesy of QuietPlanet.com.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.

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How High Do Birds Fly? Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

For the majority of the year, most birds stay under 500 feet. During migration, many species fly at 2,000 to 5,000 feet or above, using prevailing winds to assist them. And some birds go even higher! In 1973, a Rüppell’s Griffon set the world record by soaring to 37,000 feet.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.

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Letter to an Eastern Wood-Pewee Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, ornithologist J. Drew Lanham reads a letter he has written to a wood-pewee, a flycatcher with an “understatedly simple and definitive” song that says the bird’s name.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.

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Long-billed Curlews Whistle from the Sky Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Long-billed Curlews are the largest shorebirds in North America. In his courtship display, the male Long-billed Curlew flies a series of arcs across the sky, calling as he goes. Outside of the breeding season, they roost and forage in mixed flocks. When the flock is disturbed, the curlews’ loud flight calls sound the alarm that a potential predator is near.

This episode is brought to you in loving memory of former BirdNote Board member Tom Darden, with thanks to his family for their support.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.

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Slowing Down and Observing Female Birds Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

The colorful feathers and loud songs of male songbirds often catch a birder’s attention first. Observing females often means birding more slowly, noticing subtle differences in plumage and behavior, says Joanna Wu, who’s part of a group called the Galbatrosses that’s encouraging birders to spend more time identifying female birds. Fellow Galbatross Purbita Saha says that watching for females can help us understand birds on a deeper level by observing them as individuals rather than just species.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.

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David Sibley – Sketching and Painting Impressions Aug 24, 2025

Show notes

David Sibley’s paintings connect millions of people with the lives of birds. His talent in observing and portraying birds culminated in The Sibley Guide to Birds. Sibley describes how he learned to sketch and illustrate birds such as this Townsend’s Warbler: "I spent years in the field, just traveling and birding and sketching," he says. “The drawing was so important to me, that there was never any question in my mind of continuing to paint the birds. It’s how I study the birds." Watch David Sibley sketch a Townsend's Warbler in the BirdNote studio!

Support for BirdNote is provided by Marjorie and Ed Ringness from Seattle, Washington — and generous listeners around the world.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.

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Birds That Say Their Own Names Aug 23, 2025

Show notes

Some birds, such as the Northern Bobwhite, get their name from their songs or vocalizations: "Bobwhite! Bobwhite!" The Killdeer is another bird named for its song: "Kill-dee, kill-dee, kill-dee." There are others. "Poorwill, poorwill, poorwill," says this Common Poorwill. This bird is the cousin of the Whip-poor-will, another bird that calls its own name.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.

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Quirky Words for Brown Birds Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

What do Fulvous Whistling-Ducks, Bay-breasted Warblers, Ferruginous Hawks, and Rufous Hummingbirds have in common? They are all birds whose names refer to a shade of brown!

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.

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How Birds Stay Cool Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

On a hot summer’s day, watch a bird such as a crow — or this Bald Eagle — very carefully. You’ll never see them sweat, because birds don’t have sweat glands. So how do they keep cool? One way is panting. As the bird breathes rapidly, heat is carried out of its body through the lungs and air sacs. Bare skin on the legs, face, and beak also help with cooling. So do puffing out feathers, fluttering wings, or splashing in a puddle or birdbath. And soaring birds like hawks can simply ride the updrafts far above ground to cooler air.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.

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The Royal Ravens Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

The Tower of London has a long and notorious history of murderous political intrigue, dungeons, and famous beheadings. And for more than 300 years, the tower has also been home to a set of royally maintained ravens. Since the time of Charles II, at least six ravens have — by royal decree — made their home in the tower. They are given ample food, comfy quarters, and private burials in the moat near Traitor's Gate.

Support for BirdNote is provided by Charlie and Carrie Kahle and generous listeners around the world.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.

Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.

BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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