Life List: A Birding Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Fall birding highlights (so far!) Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

Alright, we're back! George and Alvaro talk about unusual sightings and behaviors they've seen so far this fall along with takeaways from afar from the AOS conference.

If you haven't already, be sure to read The trials of John P. McCown by Steve Hampton.

Get more Life List by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com.
Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to know more about us? Check out George's company, Hillstar Nature; Alvaro's company, Alvaro's Adventures, and Mollee's company, Nighthawk Agency, to see more about what we're up to.

Comparing thermal scopes, Hurricane Helene effects, and the beauty in the unknowns on pelagics Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

We're continuing conversations with our listeners on the air as we share updates from our home fronts. We have lots of links to share this week!

Check out Ed Yong's account of his recent pelagic experience with Alvaro's Adventures in his newsletter
While you're at it, make sure to read An Immense World by Ed Yong
We get tons of questions about thermal scopes. This article by one of our listeners, Jonathan Ley, is a thorough comparison of brands and models.
Here's a fresh Certificate of Appreciation from the USGS to George for reporting a banded Ruddy Turnstone—on a birding trip with Mollee eight years ago!
If you know a conservation or community science organization that wants to get the word out to birders, Nighthawk is partnering with the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival to display their information for free at the event. Details and sign up here.

And don't forget to share your favorite guests with us! We'd love to hear from you.
Our hearts go out to all affected by Hurricane Helene.

Brazil's legendary lands and lesser-known gems Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

George is just back from the Pantanal, and today, we're chatting about that. But first...

The oldest photo in eBird? Looks like it's this (now extinct) Laughing Owl!
And check out this illustration of the species on Birds of the World (sign-in required).
George has two trip reports from Brazil. Check out Safari Brazil: The Pantanal and Brazil's Atlantic Forest: Itatiaia National Park.
And peep the Spotted Bamboowren while you're at it!

We're answering your birdy questions! Sep 16, 2024

Show notes

We're back with a listener question episode!

We mention Project Phoenix—check out the details here.
Subscribe to our newsletter and send us your questions below ⬇️⬇️

Deep dives and Easter eggs in the new Stokes finch guide Sep 11, 2024

Show notes

This week, we're joined by Lillian Stokes and Matt Young to share in the laughs, research, and stories behind their jam-packed new book, The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada. Learn more and preorder it here before the book is published on September 17!

Conflict in chasing rare birds & what it feels like to be on pelagics Sep 02, 2024

Show notes

We're three busy birders this week with tales ranging from the backyard to the wonders of the deep oceans. Grab a drink and enjoy this classic Life List chat with us—tangents and all.

Wacky tales and unique habitats with Phil Chaon Aug 26, 2024

Show notes

Phil's been there, done that, and has the stories to prove it. This week we chat about his recent oceanic expeditions and upcoming book.

Have a taste of western Australia and the Lesser Sundas via Phil's recent eBird trip report
Get notifications for Habitats of North America, coming out this winter
Order Habitats of the World: A Field Guide for Birders, Naturalists, and Ecologists

Ornithological careers and accompanying global adventures with Holly Garrod and Billi Krochuk Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

Holly and Billi have spanned continents in their incredible career feats. Today, we're chatting about the challenges and adventures that they've had along the way.

Meet Holly via Birds Caribbean and Instagram
Meet Billi via Biodiversity Research Institute and Instagram
Check out the beautiful Black Bee-eater that we talk about in the episode
And yes, The Birding Co-op has announced its 2025 tour schedule!

How Alvaro's bar chat led to a new species of storm-petrel Aug 12, 2024

Show notes

Here's a story with some drama, discovery, and mysteries yet unsolved! Hear all about the background of discovering the Andean Storm-Petrel (Oceanites barrosi), straight from the source! Here's the paper that was published: Resolving the conflictive phylogenetic relationships of Oceanites (Oceanitidae: Procellariiformes) with the description of a new species