Dirty Bird Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 54: Bachman's Warbler Overdrive (BWO) Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

Much of the life history of Bachman’s Warbler is a mystery. It spent only four months in the American Southeast each summer before migrating to Cuba and often inhabited swampy, difficult to access environments. With its likely extinction in the 1980s, there’s much we will never know about this bird…but that doesn’t stop John from speculating! Using historical accounts dating back to the 1800s, information from preserved specimens, and inferences based on its close relatives, John tells you everything there is to know about Bachman’s warbler along with his own thoughts. Was Bachman’s Warbler a bamboo specialist, an ecosystem now almost entirely extinct in the US? Could Bachman’s Warbler can be a flower specialist in Cuba, like the honeycreepers of Hawaii?

Also, could it still be out there? John and Bird Photographer and enthusiast Tanner think possibly so! Tanner joins John in this episode to discuss his own personal search for Bachman’s warbler in one of the few Canebrake ecosystems left in the US.

The following bird calls are from xeno-canto.org

Northern Parula call by Naomi

Chipping Sparrow by Manuel Grosselet

Worm-eating warbler by Cristopher McPherson

Black and white warbler zeep: Matt Wistrand

Bachman’s warbler call record by Arthur A. Allen and Paul Kellogg, preserved on the Macaulay Library through the Cornell lab of Ornithology

Intro song sung by John Janousek, using “Taking Care of Business” instrumental from Drew’s famous classic rock instrumental version 2

Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers

Episode 53: At Godwit's End (Bar-Tailed Godwit) Feb 26, 2023

Show notes

Although they only weigh as much as two apples, the 10 oz Bar-Tailed Godwit completes the longest non-stop flight of any bird species in the world! In this episode, John explores the evolutionary adaptations that allow the Godwits to complete this epic migration. Learn why they are more like Sumo Wrestlers than marathon runners, what they have in common with 18th century sailors, and all about their breeding, feeding, and evolutionary history. Accompanied by the natural sounds of First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, John will make you say “oh my Godwit!” with these amazing facts.

Special thanks to Jose for this weeks cover art! Also, check out his animated Gif by going to the Dirty Bird Podcast youtube page! Follow jose2myfriend on Instagram to see more of his amazing art

Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Find them wherever you get your music

All bird calls from xeno-canto.org

Opening Godwit Alarm Call by Jacobo Ramil Millarengo

Godwit saying its name call by Stanislas Wroza

Asian Dowitcher Call recorded by funkerhunter

Godwit Call by Stein O. Nilsen

Flight Song by Alan Dalton

Episode 52: Talk Is Cheep: Shooting the Bird Sh*t with Animal Keeper Gavin of the Maymont Foundation Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

Gavin is back! Join John and Gavin as they talk about their favorite local and exotic bird species, their dream birding locations, and defend their favorite penguin and ratite species. Plus, lots of jokes, tangents about nature and birding, and some minor philosophizing on life in general. This is a great laid back episode of Dirty Bird Podcast to put a smile on your face and get you in the mood to be out in nature!
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone and outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music

Episode 51: Pigeon Power (Rock Dove Part 2) Dec 30, 2022

Show notes

Ricky and John are back! In addition to lots of dumb jokes, bird puns, and impressions they explore how pigeons have been used in warfare, the world's most famous pigeon, how pigeons make milk, pigeon intelligence, pigeon breeding, and much much more. Plus....featuring special surprise guest Ricky's Dad! Its an episode full of bird facts and belly laughs. Learn all about this common but extremely cool bird, the Rock Dove (aka City Pigeon).
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Thanks Henson for your 50th episode shout out!
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Intro song by: Ricky Pistone. Outro Song by: Ricky Pistone

Episode 50: Pigeon A-Holed (Rock Dove) Part 1 Dec 19, 2022

Show notes

The 50th episode! To celebrate, Dr. John talks with the creator of the Dirty Bird Podcast theme song and music video, Ricky Pistone. A skilled musician and video editor, Ricky is also John's lifelong friend and is full of bad puns, laughs, and dirty jokes. In this episode, we talk about a very misunderstood bird: the rock dove, better known as pigeon. Sometimes called "rats with wings" these surprisingly smart and talented birds can be found in any city in the world. In Part 1, John and Ricky explore the wild origins of pigeons, how they became domesticated and then ended up in our cities, the different breeds of domesticated pigeons, and the biology behind their navigational skills. Be prepared to learn and laugh along with Ricky and John!
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Thank you so much to everyone who wrote in to help celebrate the 50th episode!
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Intro song by Ricky Pistone, outro song by the Sidewalk Slammers.
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Record scratch recording from freesound.org, recorded by Luffy

Episode 49: Okie Dokie Towhee (Eastern and Spotted Towhee) Nov 12, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. John explores the life history of the Eastern and Spotted Towhee. While common birds in backyards and parks, there’s many interesting facts about them the average birder doesn’t know. Did you know their eye color varies with region? Or that humans and towhees share a microbiome? And what the heck do Towhees have to do with Shakespeare?! Listen to this episode to find out more! Dr. John reads all the research papers so you don’t have to! Learn everything you need to know about these two amazing bird species.
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Learn about: The meaning of their scientific name, their feeding and breeding behaviors, what kind of habitats they prefer, their evolutionary history, causes of predation and disease, and how their population numbers are doing. All facts are supported by research and review of scientific articles.
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Bird calls used in the show are from xeno-canto.org

Intro Eastern Towhee Song by Molly Jacobson

Intro Spotted Towhee Song by Manuel Grosselet

Towhee Saying its name by Caio Brito

Chewink call by John A. Middleton Jr. 2:00

Drink your tea song by Christopher McPherson 17:00

Communication call by Christopher McPherson

Spotted Towhee song by Manuel Grosselet

Spotted Towhee mew by Thomas Magarian

Blue-Grey Catbird mew by Russ Wigh

Combined chewink and song by Christopher McPherson

Tea song with flair by Christopher McPherson

Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro Music by the Sidewalk Slammers
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Cover art used from the Public Domain

Episode 48: Bird Keepin' It Real: Interview with Animal Keeper Gavin McGrath of Maymont Foundation in Richmond, Virginia Oct 02, 2022

Show notes

Vengeful owls, sloppy bears, and vultures hungry for human flesh: that's just another day on the job for Gavin, lead animal keeper for Maymont Foundation in Richmond, Virginia. Maymont is a free historic park located in the capitol of Virginia that features rescued and rehabilitated animals. Among these animals are several hawks, owls, and vultures that Gavin helps care for every day. Along with feeding them and administering medicines, Gavin also has meaningful and hilarious encounters everyday with these amazing animals. Join us for some laughs, learning, and a good time all around! Also, special shout out to Mohi!!!

Episode 47: Ready and Whip-Poor-Willing (Eastern Whip-Poor-Will) Aug 19, 2022

Show notes

Summer nights just wouldn't be the same without the ethereal call of the Eastern Whip-Poor-Will. Sadly, the nights are growing quieter as this bird's populations plummet. Learn the secrets of this elusive, nocturnal bird on this episode of Dirty Bird Podcast and why its numbers are declining. John combs through the latest research to discuss this big-mouthed bird's life history, vocalizations, and mysterious evolutionary history. Listen and learn about this bird!
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All Bird calls are from Xeno-Canto.org unless listed otherwise
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Whip-Poor-Will Intro Call: By Joseph Fell
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Whip-Poor-Will Call 1: by Paul Marvin
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“Summer night in Georgia” by jymdavis from freesound.org
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Mexican Whip-poor-Will: by Scott Olmstead
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Chuck-Wills-Widow: by Eric DeFonso
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Pauraque: by Paul Driver
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Whip-Poor-Will song 2: by Bruce Lagerquist
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Whip-Por-Will song with Cluck by Martin St-Michel
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Chuck call by Paul Marvin
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Outro Song by the Sidewalk Slammers

Episode 46: Lord of The Wings: The Birds of Tolkien's Middle Earth and Undying Lands Jun 30, 2022

Show notes

Eagles, Gorcrows, and Crebain…oh my! Throughout the works of J.R.R Tolkien, including Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Fall of Gondolin, The Simarillion, and Beren and Luthien, birds feature prominently. Some, like the Eagle, play a big role while other birds are more obscure. In this podcast episode, three life long friends and LOTR nerds discuss nearly every bird reference made in The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, Return of the Ring, and The Hobbit. They also explore birds throughout Tolkien’s many other works. Using a mixture of books and movie depictions, your dorky hosts have a lot of laughs and raunchy jokes while discussing the feathered folk of Middle Earth and the Undying Lands. Whether you’ve only seen the movies or can fluently speak elvish this episode will keep you smiling and learning. Find out more about the Eagles ancestry and deeds, Ravens relationship with dwarves, bird spies of Sauron, and the majestic swans of Ulmo and their relationship to Galadriel. Also learn a deep cut about Tom Bombadil and Kingfishers, Aragorn’s relationship with birds, and the possible meaning of the black swans.

Also special shout outs to Podcasts that help pave the way for this episode including The Tolkien Road Podcast, The Prancing Pony Podcast, and The Lord of The Rings Minute Podcast.

Intro Music By Ricky Pistone and Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music.

Cover art “Tuor and the Swans” by Eirwen98 from the Public Domain.

If you liked this episode, please share, leave a review and subscribe! I really appreciate it

Episode 45: Talon-ted Flyers (Peregrine Falcon) May 26, 2022

Show notes

Everyone knows the Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal alive, but do you know the physics behind what makes them so fast? Or about their soap opera worthy lives? With a beautiful dawn chorus of birds accompanying him, John tells you all you need to know about the Peregrine Falcon such as its feeding behavior, physical adaptations, breeding behavior, and evolutionary history. Packed with interesting stories and cool facts, this episode is sure to bring a pere-grin to your face! Featuring shout outs to tabbietnt for suggesting this episode, Jacob for leaving a review, Big Timber brewery for making great beer for birding, and Steve for writing in and sending a picture of a mourning dove nest!

Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro Music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music!

Cover art photo taken by Jay Pogo

Peregrine Falcon sounds from www.xeno-canto.org.

Intro Peregrine Call by Sunny

Alarm Call by Patrik Åberg

Couple’s Calls by Lars Edenius

Nestling call by Seth Beaudreault