blurbs

Hear all about this close relative of the Dodo, managing to hold on in its little corner of the Pacific. References: Amaama, S. A., Schorch, P., & Sung, A. (2025). Sāmoan archival-museum entanglements,(re) activations of the Vā. Museum History Journal , 18 (2), 179-195. Cardoso, G. C., & Price, T. D. (2010). Community convergence in bird song. Evolutionary Ecology , 24 (2), 447-461. Gough,...

From endemics to beach chickens... Hear all about my cycling and birding trip around Upolu, Samoa! (I think I'm a converted cyclo-birder now!). Follow me on instagram: matt.rossella Support blurbs through the support the show link! Support the show

Will you like this episode? Listen to your instincts! (and then check it out to see if you were right!).  References: Bird, A. (2024). Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance: A critical perspective. Frontiers in epigenetics and epigenomics , 2 , 1434253. Blumberg, M. S. (2017). Development evolving: the origins and meanings of instinct. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science , 8 (1-2...

Lynchpin... glutton... wearer of stylish overalls... there are so many ways to describe the kererū! Come and hear all about this amazing bird. References: Cousins, R. A. (2010). Kereru (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)-Impact injuries, morphometrics, moult and plumage (Doctoral dissertation, MSc-thesis, massey University, New Zealand). Carpenter, J. K., Walker, S., Monks, A., Innes, J., Binny, R. N., &a...

Who new that one different shade could tell us so much about a birds evolutionary history.... References: Ducatez, S., Giraudeau, M., Thebaud, C., & Jacquin, L. (2017). Colour polymorphism is associated with lower extinction risk in birds. Global Change Biology , 23 (8), 3030-3039. Ruzicka, F., Zwoinska, M. K., Goedert, D., Kokko, H., Li Richter, X. Y., Moodie, I. R., ... & Connallon, T. (...

Hear all about this one of a kind bird! I can't wait for you to see "hoatzin" store! A big thank you to @theweenuthatch (instagram) for his insight and resources for this topic! Check him out for bird guiding services! Follow me on instagram: @matt.rossella Support the show: patreon.com/blurbs439 References: Abourachid, A., Herrel, A., Decamps, T., Pages, F., Fabre, A. C., Van Hoore...

The largest eagle ever known - hear all about this extinct apex predator! Reach out to me on instagram: matt.rossella Support the show (a.k.a become an endemic blurb!): patreon.com/blurbs439 References: Brathwaite, D. H. (1992). Notes on the weight, flying ability, habitat, and prey of Haast’s Eagle (Harpagornis moorei). Notornis , 39 (4), 239-247. Bunce, M., Szulkin, M., Lerner, H. R. L., Barnes,...

Can you do me a small favour real quick? Have a listen to this episode! I hope you enjoy! Follow me on instagram: matt.rossella Want to help my work? click the support the show link at the bottom! References: Benítez-López, A., Santini, L., Gallego-Zamorano, J., Milá, B., Walkden, P., Huijbregts, M. A., & Tobias, J. A. (2021). The island rule explains consistent patterns of body size evolution...

Thankyou to Sam Holt for suggesting this topic! Follow them on instagram @samholtnz56 for excellent photography of New Zealand's landscapes and birds! If you'd like to suggest a topic, then consider becoming a patron!: patreon.com/blurbs439 References: Alley, M. R., Suepaul, R. B., McKinlay, B., Young, M. J., Wang, J., Morgan, K. J., ... & Gartrell, B. D. (2017). Diphtheritic stomati...

Hear all about a little bird that has earned the big title of "GREAT SPECIATOR"!🥈 Connect with me on instagram: matt.rossella References: Estandía, A., Merino Recalde, N., Sendell‐Price, A. T., Potvin, D. A., Goulding, W., Robertson, B. C., & Clegg, S. (2025). Islands Promote Diversification of the Silvereye Species Complex: A Phylogenomic Analysis of a Great Speciator. Molecular ec...

You "mast" listen to this episode! Follow me on instagram: matt.rossella Support the show: patreon.com/blurbs439 References: Bogdziewicz, M., Zwolak, R., & Crone, E. E. (2016). How do vertebrates respond to mast seeding?. Oikos , 125 (3), 300-307. Elliott, G., & Kemp, J. (2016). Large‐scale pest control in New Zealand beech forests. Ecological Management & Restoration , 17 (3...

Come and hear about the only entire bird family to go extinct in recent times... Footage of the last Kauaʻi ʻōʻō : https://youtu.be/x2KH5AoyeBc?si=rEONFaoyUNL6Cpsm  References: Fleischer, R. C., Campana, M. G., & James, H. F. (2022). Hawaiian songbird radiations. Current Biology , 32 (20), R1070-R1072. Fleischer, R. C., James, H. F., & Olson, S. L. (2008). Convergent evolution of Hawaiian...

Saddle up for another episode of blurbs! Links to Jimmy’s work Instagram: @jimmy_birds  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JimmyR_Birds Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@FeelGoodBirder References: Cash, W., & Briskie, J. V. (2012). Abnormally long bill in a South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus). Notornis , 59 , 88-89. Hooson, S., & Jamieson, I. G. (2003). Breeding biology of t...

Thanks @theweenuthatch for the topic idea! (go give him a follow on instagram!) Become an "endemic blurb" on Patreon to suggest your own episode topic ideas  (through the support the show link!). References: Bubier, N. E., Paxton, C. G., Bowers, P., & Deeming, D. C. (1998). Courtship behaviour of ostriches (Struthio camelus) towards humans under farming conditions in Britain. British...

This is an evolving area of research! Come and hear abit about the fascinating world of birds and fungi... Support Jen, a.k.a StagPath, (the inspiration for this episode) instagram: @stagpath                    Nature guidance work: stagpath.com Note - at 14:18, it sounds like I say "pop"rolites, but the correct word (and what I said) was coprolites! References: Boast, A. P., Weyrich, L....

Come and learn about my favourite Australian bird! Support the show: patreon.com/blurbs439 Follow me on instagram: matt.rossella References: Chan, K., Ford, H. A., & Ambrose, S. J. (1990). Ecophysiological adaptations of the Eastern Spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris to a high altitudinal winter environment. Emu-Austral Ornithology , 90 (2), 119-122. Ford, H. A. (1991). Coping with an erra...

This is a serious episode, I promise! Come and learn a bit about the role of robotic birds in conservation and research! References: Araguas, A., Guellaï, B., Gauthier, P., Richer, F., Montone, G., Chopin, A., & Derégnaucourt, S. (2022). Design of a robotic zebra finch for experimental studies on developmental song learning. Journal of Experimental Biology , 225 (3), jeb242949. Badri-Spröwitz,...

Here's a quick catchup about some of the birding I got up to on a recent trip to Victoria, Australia. Follow these legends on Instagram: @superb_gzyd (and check out https://gary-dickson.com/photography/ )  @birdable Support the show

Well it's been a minute! but I'm finally back in the booth with Jimmy Rosebrock, and he's brought along his co-host from the Feel Good Birder Podcast, Jeff! We talk trips, encounters, instagram, Pokémon and more! It's one big ole' glorious catchup! Support the show

You'll be gull-ad you listened to this episode! Follow me on instagram: matt.rossella Support the show: patreon.com/blurbs439 References: Bell, M., & Harborne, P. (2019). The use of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to census large breeding colonies of black-billed gull (Larus bulleri) and white-fronted tern (Sterna striata) at the Ashburton River/Hakatere River mouth. Notornis , 66 , 95-97. Bro...

Come and learn about the functions and evolution of the dawn chorus, and how human activity is changing it. Listening back, i think it's important to note that this research applies to diurnal (awake in the daytime) birds. Nocturnal birds never came up in my research, probably for that very reason, but I thought i'd mention it here nonetheless! Also, I'm not sure why the last birdso...

Falc-on... Falc-off. Follow me on instagram: matt.rossella Support the podcast on patreon: patreon.com/blurbs439 References: Bell, D. A. (2017). Distribution of New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae): Results of a 10-year survey 2006-2016. Notornis , 64 , 234-238. Fox, N. C. (1977). The Biology of the New Zealand Falcon:(falco Novaeseelandiae Gmelin 1788). Journal of Raptor Research , 13 (1),...

Travel back in time to December, 2024 with hosts Matt Ross and Jimmy Rosebrock as they get deep and meaningful!  But seriously, big props to Jimmy for managing to recover audio we thought had been lost forever... Follow on instagram: @matt.rossella @jrmdbirds If scripted podcasts are more your thing, check out: The Feel Good Birder Podcast Other "blurbs" episodes Support the show

Join hosts Matt Ross and Jimmy Rosebrock for the first Birds and Beer episode of 2025! They talk goals, bird-related Christmas presents, "Bird of the Year", and much more! Follow on instagram: @matt.rossella @jrmdbirds If scripted podcasts are more your thing, check out: The Feel Good Birder Podcast Other "blurbs" episodes Support the show

Take a load off and come and learn about the fascinating phenomenon of torpor! (Im not sure where the sound artefact at 3:53 came from!) Follow me on instagram: matt.rossella Support the show: patreon.com/blurbs439 References: Douglas, T. K., Cooper, C. E., & Withers, P. C. (2017). Avian torpor or alternative thermoregulatory strategies for overwintering?. Journal of Experimental Biology , 220...