Dirty Bird Podcast

Hey hungry I'm Antpitta! The antpitta birds have a unique body shape with nearly non-existent tails, long skinny legs, and a big 'ole pot belly. They look more at home in front of a grill with a beer than in their South American rainforest habitat. Learn all about a very special Antpitta, the streak-chested antpitta in this episode. Or should we actually be calling it the Spectacled Antpitta? Join Dr. John to learn all about this bird species!
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro Music by the Sidewalk Slammers
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Bird sounds are from xeno-canto...

Robin Returns! In this listener suggested episode from across the pond, Dr. John talks about the European Robin. Despite the similar name, its actually not related to the American Robin at all! Learn all about the life history of the European Robin such as where their preferred habitat and nesting sites are, unique foraging strategies, and their different songs and calls. Also, Dr. John dives deep into the evolutionary history of robins and explores how their population numbers are doing. Another rockin' robin episode! 
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone and outro music by The Sidewalk Slammers
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Kid friendly episode! Dr. John and nature/children's book author Adrienne Palma discuss her book Oakley The Osprey which is packed full of fun Osprey facts and amazing illustrations. Also, the book is set in the Outer Banks where Adrienne lives and Dr. John grew up as a kid- allowing them both to nostalgically talk about the beautiful OBX, how its featured in the books, and the wildlife (avian and otherwise!) found there. They also discuss the importance of teaching kids about nature and the great vehicle books are to educate the next generation on the animals we love.<...

HONK! In this listener suggested episode, Dr. John covers his first species of the family Anseriformes (Ducks, Geese, Swans) by talking about the Arctic specialist the Barnacle Goose. This bird is super interesting- everything from its breeding strategy to avoid predators from the really interesting origin of its common name. Can you believe people used to think the Barnacle Goose was a crustacean and not a bird?! Learn how to identify this bird from its plumage and vocalizations. Also learn all about what it likes to eat and how it makes babies. Dr. John also explored the population status...

Listeners give this episode 5/5 Starlings! Love them or hate them, European Starlings are here to stay in their introduced range across every continent except Antarctica. Even though they eat crops, crash planes, and evict native birds from their nests these birds have some beautiful singing abilities, display an amazing flying pattern called murmurtions, and may be as smart as crows and ravens! Learn all about the European Starling with Dr. John. 
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Thanks to Volume Book store in Buckhannon, West Virginia for producing this episode! 
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Special thanks also to the book "Starlings: The Curious Odyssey of of...

The Hoatzin may stink but this episode doesn't! Join Dr. John as he talks about the incredible life history of this Amazon rainforest bird. This bird is truly unique- its the only bird that can fly, swim and climb. Its the only bird that's a foregut fermenter. And IT STINKS! Learn why this bird farts and burps so much, explore the biology behind its gut microbiome, and join it for its truly epic revolutionary journey that spans an ocean. 
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PLUS! We are finally joined on the show by Baby Bo and Lauren!
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Intro music by R...

The Magpie is a smart and ubiquitous bird found throughout Europe and Asia and its no surprise its captured human intention across many cultures. It has even had a opera written about it! Learn about the unique behaviors of these birds that show just how intelligent they are- maybe even on par with the great apes (or us humans?). Join Dr. John in the woods of Buckhannon, WV during a tree cricket filled summer afternoon as he tells you everything you need to know about the Common Magpie. 

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Intro music by R...

In a conversation that meanders and glides like the cross country ski trails of a snow covered mountain, Dr. John sits down in the woods with Chip Chase to discuss birds, ecosystems, and optimism. Located in the beautiful and unique Canaan Valley of Tucker County, West Virginia, White Grass Touring center offers cross country and snowshoeing experiences rarely seen outside the West Coast or Vermont and its owner/operator- Chip Chase- is a living legend in the towns of Davis and Thomas. With his years of wisdom, mastery in naturalism, and positive outlook Chip tells tales of the birds...

A four for one special! In this episode, Dr. John tells you everything you need to know about the four Darter species, also known as Anhinga. These curious water birds have a variety of nicknames from "water turkey" to "snake bird". Learn how to identify them in the field, listen to their calls, and find out all about their unique hunting strategy that separates them from other avian aquatic species. Also, listen to the soothing background noises of the summer forest in Buckhannon, West Virginia!
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Thanks to Jess for this episode's bird watch!
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Thanks to...

In this two for one episode, learn about the very similar looking Downy and Hairy Woodpecker! The smallest woodpecker in North America, the Downy Woodpecker can be difficult to tell apart from its larger cousin the Hairy Woodpecker but Dr. John will teach you tips and tricks to expertly differentiate them on your next birding adventure. Plus, learn all about their feeding and breeding. And finally, end the show with insight into their evolutionary history and learn why they look so much alike. Plus a bird watch from Cass! 
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro music b...

With its nearly an inch and a half long taong, the red-tailed hawk certainly wears big socks. And you know what they say about big socks...big hawks! The Red-Tailed Hawk is ubiquitous across North America where its large body size and preference to perch along roadways make it easy to spot. But what secrets is the red-tailed hawk hiding? On this episode of Dirty Bird Podcast, learn all about the life history of the red-tailed hawk. Dr. John tells you all about the feeding and breeding (including some spicy love stories!) before ending the show talking about conservation...

Party people! Its time to learn about conservation! The Whooping crane very nearly went the way of the Pileated Woodpecker, Bachman's Warbler, and the Moa (all extinct birds covered before on this show!). While it is still very much endangered, it is a conservation success story. Learn all about the life history of the whooping crane, their evolutionary history (they were always very rare birds!) and how they came back from the brink of extinction. Dr. John explains it all, with lots of dumb jokes and bird puns included!
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Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers, check...

The American Robin is ubiquitous in backyards all across North America. But how much do you know about its life history, evolution, and unique vocal range? In this listener suggested episode, Dr. John rock out with the robin and brings you all the cool facts about their omnivorous diet, cooperative breeding, and a couple giggles at their genus name...Turdus! 
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone and outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music
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Bird sounds are from Xeno-Canto.org

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Intro Robin Song b...

This Turkey is served HOT! Dr. John sits on a log in the woods of Holly River State Park, WV as he talk about all the dirty details of Turkeys, wild and domestic. Learn some great facts to share around the thanksgiving table- and also how to disprove some of the common myths that your Uncle likes to say. Some of these facts may be too hot to handle- erect snoods, big skull caps, and gobbles- oh my!  Learn about the domestication of turkeys, wild turkey evolution history, turkey breeding, and much more! Its everything you didn't want to k...

Recorded in the only virgin spruce forest in the eastern US, this episode about Common Ravens is full of the ambience of Gaudineer Scenic Area in the Monongahela National Forest. As chickadees and kinglets chirp in the background, Dr. John tells you everything you need to know about the Common Raven. These birds a spookily intelligent and despite huge population crashes in the 1800s they are now extremely successful....sometimes to the detriment of endangered species! Learn about how the Raven really can quoth "nevermore" and the efforts to save the gopher tortoise from raven's ravenous beaks. Join Dirty...

Echolocation, extreme night vision, cave dwelling…you’d think this describes a bat species but no! The amazing Oilbird of South America not only has a unique name but also some incredible evolutionary adaptations that allow it to breed in the pitch dark of caves leaving only at night to stalk one of its favorite food…avocados! Put on your headlamp and join Dr. John as we spelunk in search of knowledge about the Oilbird. Learn everything you need to know about this odd but amazing bird species. 

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Intro music by Ricky P...

The jazz musicians of the bird world, the Gray Catbird has both an impressive vocal repertoire  and a unique ability to improvise. Join Dr. John in the summer woods of French Creek, West Virginia as he tells you everything you need to know about the Gray Catbird! While their vocalizations are the highlight, they also have some interesting breeding facts: especially their communal attitude towards other songbirds such as robins! Finally, their amazing evolutionary history is also explained in detail. Come learn about this bird right meow! 
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Intro song by Ricky Pistone, Outro by the Sidewalk Slammers

Any radiohead fans out there? The Brown Creeper is often overlooked and underappreciated but it has a lot of cool bird facts to share! Parody songs aside, in this episode Dr. John tells you everything you need to know about a tiny bird of the deep coniferous woods of North and Central America. Learn all about their unique nesting behavior, their surprisingly large territory size (compensating for something?), and much more. 
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Outro music by the Sidewalks Slammers: find them wherever you get your music
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All bird calls are from Xeno-Canto.org

These birds know how to party!  Sporting flashy colors, cedar waxwings are always found in raucous groups gorging on food, chirping, and sometimes even getting drunk. Dr. John records outside in First Landing State Park while he tells you everything you need to know about Cedar Waxwings. Learn about how invasive species are changing their coloration, how they are able to survive on an almost exclusively fruit diet, and their perplexing evolutionary history. John read’s the scientific publications so you don’t have to and finds all the best facts to teach you about this fascinating bird species.

Rodents beware! The White-Tailed Kite has a range that extends from California to South America and wherever it is rodents are on the menu. From mice to guinea pigs, these birds are basically the "Day Owls". In fact, they share several evolutionary adaptations in common with Owls! Learn all about the White-Tailed Kite in this festive episode of Dirty Bird Podcast.
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro music by The Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music.
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All Bird sounds are from Xeno-Canto.org
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Opening Call: Dante...

Life is tough for an American Woodcock. You nest on the ground, everything wants to eat and shoot you, and your habitat is decreasing. Plus, even the ornithologists seem not to care about your evolution! On the plus side, migration is more of a swinging vacation than an arduous journey! Join John as he talks all about the American Woodcock's funny vocalizations and feeding behaviors, its conservation concerns, and its unique courtship display. Recorded on a breezy day in First Landing State Park, even a fox stops by to listen!
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Thanks to dreamroux for suggesting this episode!<...

When you hear the haunting call of a common loon, you may feel alone and scared, but seeing this beautiful bird is sure to raise your spirits! Learn all about the many unique and beautiful calls of the Common Loon which can be found in lakes across northern America and also featured in many horror movie soundtracks. While it appears peaceful paddling on the water, these birds can be extremely violent during the breeding season. Join Dr. John as he explores the breeding, feeding evolution, and other fun facts about the Common Loon!
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 Thanks to Henson for su...

Spend a few minutes learning about the Common Loon! Hear their unique vocalization, learn about their unique swimming mechanisms, and find out their hidden angry side. 
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone
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Cover art by Jessica Coker, follow her on instagram @theospreywing
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All Bird sounds are from xeno-canto.org

Wail Call by Sunny Tsang

Tremelo call by Davyd Betchkal 

Yodel call by Thomas Zgirski

Did you know young frigate birds play like puppies? And that adults croon to each other like Barry White to get in the mood? Learn fun, fast facts about the breeding and feeding of this giant shore bird with Dirty Bird Shorties! Check out full length episodes for even more bird facts
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All Bird Sounds are from xeno-canto.org

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Begging Call by Ricardo José Mitidieri

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Calling and bill snapping by Bobby Wilcox 

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Drumming by...

Magnificent Frigatebird? More like Massive Frigatebird! With huge 7 foot wings, a big red throat sack, and the longest breeding period of any sea bird, the Magnificent Frigatebird lives life large. It even will throw its weight around to steal food from all manner of creatures, earning its comparison to a frigate warship. Learn all about the life history, evolution, and population threats to this amazing bird of the tropics. 

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All Bird Sounds are from xeno-canto.org

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Begging Call by Ricardo José Mitidieri

The (possibly recently!) extinct Elephant Birds were fittingly named. Not only were they the largest birds to ever live with eggs even bigger than dinosaur eggs, they also filled a vital niche in Madagascar similar to that of Elephants of mainland Africa. Learn all about the four extinct species of Elephant birds with John and Tim in this episode! We talk about their fossil record, amazing facts about their biology, their evolutionary history, and how they went extinct. Also, we cover the geological history of Madagascar and the arrival of the first humans to the island. Learn everything you...

In this 4th of July special, John talks all about America’s bird the Bald Eagle! While majestic appearing, the Bald Eagle has quite the bad reputation amongst those who have observed its habits up close, Benjamin Franklin even called it “very lousy”! But do its redeeming qualities make up for its sometimes nasty nature? Explore these topics as John tells you everything you need to know about the Bald Eagle! Also, the return of Punchy Joe who talks about the Bald Eagle pair that have spent 10 years raising young just off his dock. And a listener message from friend...

In this listener suggested episode, Dr. John talks all about the White-Throated Swift, a graceful aerial acrobat of the Western US. Learn about the aeronautical engineering behind its amazing flying abilities and how its death defying courtship dives sometimes get it in trouble. Also, did you know white-throated swift and tobacco chewing cowboys have something in common? Accompanied by the frogs and birds of First Landing State Park, John explores the feeding, breeding, evolutionary history, and fun facts of this amazing bird! 
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Thanks to Charlie for suggesting this episode and providing pictures and videos of White-Throated S...

Ricky is back! In between dumb puns, jokes, and laughs we learn about how the chicken went from prowling the jungles of Asia to being in backyards across the globe. Learn about the surprising intelligence of these birds, the different breeds of chickens, and what a wattle is. Get EGGcited! 
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro Music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music

You can take the birder out of Iceland, but you can’t take Iceland out of the birder! John is joined by bird enthusiast Cass to discuss both of their experiences birding in Iceland. Along the way, John shares cool facts about birds such as the Artic Tern (Kria), Norther Fulmar (fyll), Pink Footed Goose, and many more. Learn about the gross defense mechanism of Fulmars, the carnivorous sheep of Iceland, and the epic ice age fight for survival of the pink footed goose. Also, plenty of tangents about non-bird related aspects of Iceland both John and Cass love. If...

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 ba...

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.

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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 

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  

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 e...

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...

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!!! 

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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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...

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...