Laura Erickson's For the Birds

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Natural Sciences
**Laura Erickson’s For the Birds**

“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/.

Latest Episodes:

Woodcocks! Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

Woodcocks are back in the Northland, much to Laura's delight.

Updates from Earth Angel and Jim Baker Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

The longstanding sponsors of "For the Birds" have updates: Billionaire Earth Angel is embarking on a new project to prove people were banding birds 45,000 years ago, and Jim Baker just added a new, secret ingredient to his already perfect Baker's Blue Jay Blend.

Cuban Woodpeckers Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

Of the seven species of woodpeckers on Cuba's official checklist, one is almost definitely extinct and one has appeared in the country only as an extremely rare vagrant. Laura saw all five of the others on her February visit to Cuba.

The Tiniest Bird in the Universe Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

Seeing Bee Hummingbirds in Cuba last month filled Laura with joy.

What to do if you find a dead bird in your yard Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

During this bird flu outbreak experts are cautioning people to leave bird carcasses where they are, even though functionally illiterate eagles, dogs, and other creatures have been infected by these carcasses. Laura made a decision about how she will handle this situation if a carcass turns up in her yard.

Bird feeding recommendations during the bird flu outbreak Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

Every spring it's important to make sure our feeders are safe for birds. During this bird flu outbreak, this is more important than ever.

Bird Flu Update Mar 19, 2025

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Famous migration patterns of swallows and cranes is scary this year, as wild and domesticated birds are still dying of highly pathogenic avian influenza and humans are getting infected, but we're losing the very forces that usually manage these crises.

The Most Adorable Bird in the Universe Mar 14, 2025

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Laura is bewitched by Cuban Todies.

A Personal Ray of Hope Mar 10, 2025

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Laura's hearing loss has grown worse since the pandemic, but suddenly things are looking up!!

My 2025 Chickadee Pilgrimage Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

The morning after she got home from Cuba, Laura and her husband set out for East Lansing, Michigan, so she could see a chickadee in the same area where she saw her first exactly 50 years ago. The blogpost corresponding to this segment is much longer, with lots of photos.