Dirty Bird Podcast

For tens of million of years giant, wingless birds thrived on New Zealand. When Kupe, one of the first Maori people, arrived around the year 1000 it was the closest to Jurassic Park human history has ever come. Learn all about how these amazing birds evolved, the unique characteristics of the 9 known species, and the story behind their unfortunate extinction. Semi-permanent guest host Tim joins me...

While it's the largest woodpecker to ever peck on the face of the earth, the Imperial Woodpecker gets much less love than its close relative the famous Ivory Billed Woodpecker. New Yorker and Dirty Bird Superfan JayPogo joins John to talk about this little studied woodpecker and its crazy curly-Q hairstyle. Learn about its unique behaviors, evolutionary history, and how it (likely) went extinct. A...

In this ex-seedingly fun episode, John and Tim go beyond the labels to find out what’s really in your birdseed. Are you providing a well balanced meal at your backyard feeder or helping spread invasive plant species and disease? Learn surprising stories behind seemingly innocuous grains- such as how King Tut and mastectomies relate to bird seed and the domestication history of crops we take for gr...

Bill Wallauer has spent a lifetime appreciating and filming nature. He first began working with Jane Goodall in the 1980s filming wild chimpanzees in Tanzania and has provided footage for well known productions such as Planet Earth and National Geographic documentaries. Throughout it all, he has maintained a deep love of nature and birds. I spoke with Bill via Zoom as he sat in his idyllic backyar...

pssst...psst...got any more of those great blue heron facts? Yes we do! John welcome's Kathryn back to the show as they discuss everything you need to know about Great Blue Herons. As an added bonus, this week we are recording right next to an active Great Blue Heron rookery in beautiful Tall Timbers Maryland! Many birds make appearances with their songs and alarm calls...sometimes provoked by Kat...

Part 2 on Song Sparrows focusing on their songs, habitat, evolutionary history and much much more. Learn about song sparrows while you hangout with John in Otter Creek Wilderness! . . Cover art by the super talented TJ Rinoski. Check out more of his work at tj-rinoski.com . . Intro music by Ricky Pistone and outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Find them on youtube and spotify! . . Bird sounds fr...

Professor Jeremy Hyman has studied song sparrow territorial behavior extensively and joins John on a rainy day to talk about the surprising amount of aggression behind their beautiful song. In this Part 1 of two episodes on song sparrows, you'll learn everything you need to know about how male song sparrows establish and defend their territories. You'll also learn tips for identifying song sparrow...

In possibly the grossest episode yet, John tackles the ugly and misunderstood vultures of North America, the Black Vulture and the Turkey Vulture. After starting off with a sphincter clenching Native America story from the Winnebago tribe, John goes into way too much detail about how vultures find their food, fly, and stay cool. At the end, he explores vulture's evolutionary history and their inte...

Wren in doubt, check Dirty Bird out! In this tiny episode (by DB standards) for a tiny bird, John ventures into the Monongahela national forest to record an episode about the Carolina Wren. Learn about the origin of their scientific name, weird winter roosting habits, and every other fact you’d ever want to know about these feathery funballs! Also, thanks so much for the sounds provided from www.x...

What has a white rump and a yellow (or red) shaft? The Northern Flicker of course! John and TJ discuss the many pun worthy aspects of the Northern Flicker's unique behaviors and biology. Also, a poem from Dirty Bird Listener Dolly and an awesome voice memo from Jaypogo! Thank's y'all! . . Cover art by TJ Rinoski- check out the new Dirty Bird Podcast logo made by this incredible Richmond, VA based...

These fierce flying fishermen can be found across North America anywhere near bodies of water. Find out how they evolved to be such adapt hunters, learn ancient greek and native american stories involving this respectable bird, and listen to their unique rattling calls. Plus, an interview with Jessica Coker, wildlife photographer and artist who drew the pair of kingfishers for the cover art of thi...

You've heard about little pigs called piglets, now get ready for little kings! Learn about these tiny, spectacular birds found throughout much of the US in Winter. Sporting crowns of gold, orange, red, and pink (RIP Guadalupe Ruby-crowned Kinglet) they are not only a delight to see but also have interesting life histories. Get your ears the royal treatment of hearing about these birds! . . Cover a...

With a belly full of Thanksgiving leftovers, join John to learn about the cornucopia of food red-bellied woodpeckers fill their bellies with! Learn everything you need to know- and some stuff you certainly don't need to know- about these common east coast birds. Find out why these birds are sometimes known as "Orange Sapsuckers". Also learn identification tips, life history and how these birds evo...

A very educational interview with Director of Veterinary Services at Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, Dr. Jen Riley, DVM! Join Dirty Bird Podcast as we diagnose and treat wild bird injuries and diseases. From operating room to release, Dr. Riley walks us through the hard work of caring for birds. She also shares tips on how you can protect birds from trauma and illness in your own backyard! Dr. Riley t...

They tried to send Dirty Bird to Rehab and we said YES YES YES! . . . In this episode we hear some amazing bird rescue stories from the Rehabilitation Program Coordinator at Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Boyce, Virginia. Jessica Andersen talks about her career in wildlife rescue, wrestling canada geese, Dopey the Screech Owl, Weight Watchers for Birds, and much much more! She also educates us on w...

“‘Twas the day after Halloween, and hungover in the kitchen Are three idiots watching birds, laughin and bitchin’” In this episode of Dirty Bird Podcast, join Evan, John and Tim as they have some hair of the dog and comment on birds that visit the feeder in Charlotte, North Carolina. If you’re looking for some laughs, sing-alongs, and the occasional bird fact then this episode is for you! Note: Th...

In a very squeaky episode of Dirty Bird Podcast, Punchy Joe and I talk about the Brown-Headed Nuthatch! Learn all about this small but surprising bird and its tool use, alternative breeding style, and evolutionary history. This is a compact episode for a compact bird- a great first time Dirty Birder listen, check it out or pass on to the nature lover in your life! . . . Photo by the talented Jessi...

Tis the spooky season and there is no spookier sound in the eastern US woods than a Barred owl hootin n' hollerin! Learn about mythology, evolution, and life history of barred owls. Also Tim joins Dirty Bird Podcast to talk about our own Barred Owl experiences and comment on episode 15's interview with Wildlife Biologist Peter Singleton! . . . Cover pic: Barred Owl Feathers found in Yorktown, Virg...

In this episode we are joined by Wildlife Research Biologist with the Pacific Northwest Research Station Peter Singleton to discuss Barred Owls and their impact on threatened populations of Spotted Owls in the Cascade mountains. Join us as peter discusses the conservation history of spotted owls, catching feisty Barred owls in the field, and so much more bird nerd fun! Intro Music: Ricky Pistone a...

Evil egg robbers? Beautiful bright bois? Annoying jabbers? These smart birds have it all from intelligent tool use to bloodthirsty murders. Learn about Blue Jays and hear our most bizarre myths and legends yet on this episode of Dirty Bird Podcast!. . . . Co-Hosts: Sara- climber, med student, nature lover, museum nerd Chance- med student, enthusiast of bird named sports teams. . . . . Blue Jay sou...

Recorded right next to an active Osprey nest in Yorktown, Virginia! Listen to mama and baby Osprey squawk while John talks about their evolutionary history, breeding, behavior, and (as always) we wrap up with some myths and legends!. . . . Plus...Joe joins us to discuss 25+ years of enjoying Ospreys! Don't miss out on his dad jokes and great stories! . . Theme music by Ricky Pistone, aka Dick Pist...

I'm Cuckoo for Cuckoos! The birds, rain, and caves of the Monongahela national forest join John as he talks about the natural history of North America's two native Cuckoo species. Learn about their evolution, mythology, and more! Intro music by Ricky Pistone aka Dick Piston, outro music by The Sidewalk Slammers Cover art by TJ Rinoski Bird recordings from Xeno-Canto.org, recorded by Jacob Saucier...

Join John, Chris, and Anna as they discover unexpected facts about this common backyard bird. From X-men worthy mutations to heartfelt personal stories, there's a lot more to learn about this conspicuous bird. Thanks to listener Jenn for suggesting this episode! Check out the new music video for the Dirty Bird Theme Song on Youtube, Instagram, or Facebook! Theme song by Ricky Pistone aka Dick Pist...

Grab your binoculars and life jacket- Dirty Bird is recording on Goat Island in Lake Gaston, NC! The Sidewalk Slammers (aka John's little brothers) and a friend Andres add colorful commentary as John tackles the Boat-Tailed Grackle... . . . Note: This episode was recorded very early on in the pandemic before travel bans, ect. Please excuse any wind, boat noises, or poor audio quality. .. ... .. Co...

Lonely in quarantine-land, John spends the morning peeping on birds at his backyard feeder and talking about them and the history of bird feeding. Also featuring the sawmill laden soundscape of Elkins, West Virginia and John's musings on quarantine's effect on bird life. . . Intro music by Ricky Pistone aka Dick Piston, Outro music by The Sidewalk Slammers