Podcast
Dirty Bird Podcast
Hosted by Dirty Bird · EN
In each episode, your host Dr. John tells you everything you need to know about a bird species with a laid back attitude. Learn about bird evolution, taxonomy, and behavior, with a few myths and legends mixed in. John keeps the banter light, the energy bright, and the humor raunchy. Warning: Fowl language Follow on Instagram @Dirtybirdpodcast, send listener mail or voice memos at dirtybirdpodcast@gmail.com to have them heard on the show! Theme song by Dick Piston, aka Ricky Pistone. Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers
17episodes
Episodes
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Episode 82: Ospreys, OBX, and Children's Books: Interview with author Adrienne Palma on her book Oakley The Osprey
Feb 2600:39:46Tap to summarizeKid 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.Baby Bo makes an appearance on this episode! .Check out all Adrienne's books at https://www.adriennepalma.com/.Shout out also to illustrator of Oakley the Osprey Amber Rae Malott! Check her out at https://amberraewatercolor.com/pages/about
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Episode 81: Loosey Goosey (Barnacle Goose)
Jan 2100:46:09Tap to summarizeHONK! 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 of the Barnacle Goose over time. Finally, we end the episode with good ole' evolutionary history and duck-dive into the origins of geese way back in the Cretaceous alongside dinosaurs. .Intro music by Ricky Pistone and outro by the Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music.All Bird sounds are from Xeno-Canto.org.Intro call by David Darrel-Lambert.Yapping calls by Lars Edenius.Type A Call by Petter Westberg.Type B call by Patrik Aberg.Cacophony of Barnacle Geese by Hans Norelius
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Episode 80: Oh my Starling, Clementine (European Starling)
Nov 2401:11:05Tap to summarizeListeners 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. .Thanks to Volume Book store in Buckhannon, West Virginia for producing this episode! .Special thanks also to the book "Starlings: The Curious Odyssey of of a Most Hated Bird by Mike Stark for great background research https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/bison-books/9781496242020/starlings/.Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro Music by the Sidewalk Slammers.All bird songs are from xeno-canto.org.Opening call by Olivier Swift .Starling song by Uku Paal .Starling mimicking birds call by Paul Marvin .Starling imitating siren call by Lee Alder .Starling whistle song by Timo Schnabel .Starling chatter by Barnard Collet .Staring Chatter 2 by David Bissett
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Episode 79: Whatever Floatz your Hoatz(in): The Farting, Fermenting Hoatzin!
Oct 1200:56:16Tap to summarizeThe 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. .PLUS! We are finally joined on the show by Baby Bo and Lauren!.Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers.All bird sounds are from xeno-canto.org.Opening Call by Carlos Delgado JUMABITA Grunting Call by Rosendo Fraga Pterodactyl sounds by Guy Kirwan
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Episode 78: The Gift of the Magpie (Eurasian Magpie)
Aug 2500:54:16Tap to summarizeThe 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. .Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music.Bird sounds are from Xeno-Canto.orgOpening Call by David Bissett .Magpie typical call by Johannes Worona .Magpie Variety Calls by Aku Kalliomaki . Whisper Song by Jacob Ramil Millarengo .Socializing sounds by Nicolas Martinez
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Episode 77: Chip Off the Old Squawk: An Interview with Chip Chase of White Grass Ski Touring Center
Jul 300:58:49Tap to summarizeIn 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 of Canaan Valley mixed in with ecology lessons and outdoor philosophy. Come sit by the creek with us and chat!
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Episode 76: Sons and Darters: The Four Darter/Anhinga Species
Jun 1600:48:54Tap to summarizeA 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!.Thanks to Jess for this episode's bird watch!.Thanks to Milko for providing the photo for this episode's cover art! Check his instagram page out @milkogervet_photography .Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music.All Bird Sounds are from Xeno-Canto.org.Opening Anhinga Anhinga call by Phil Brown .Nesting Call by Paul Marvin.American Darter greeting call by Daniel Parker .African Darter by Lynette Rudman .Australasian Darter by Nick Talbot.Oriental Darter by Andrew Spencer
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Episode 75: Let you Hair(y) Down(y): All about the Hairy and Downy Woodpecker
Apr 25, 202500:47:59Tap to summarizeIn 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! .Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers .Bird sounds are from xeno-canto.org.Opening downy whinny by Bobby Wilcox.Downy call 1 by Paul Marvin.Hairy call 1 by Scott Olmstead.Downy Whinny 1 by Paul Marvin.Downy Call 2 by Frank Lambert .Hairy Call 2 by Scott Olmstead .Downy Rattle by Paul Marvin.Hairy Rattle by Scott Crabtree.Downy Drumming 1 by Joseph Morlan.Hairy Drumming by Richard E. Webster .Fast Downy Drumming by Paul Driver.Downy Drum 2 by Paul Driver.Hairy Drum 2 by Richard E. Webster.Feeding Pecks by Samuel Jones Hairy + Downy
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Episode 74: Big Socks? Big Hawks! (Red-Tailed Hawk)
Mar 27, 202501:00:20Tap to summarizeWith 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 and evolution. Also, we start this episode with a Native American Cultural Story: How The Hawk Got Its Red Tail. ..Intro music by Ricky Pistone and outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music.Red-Tailed Hawk Intro sound from xeno-canto.org by Richard E. Webster Drum Sound from freesound.org by sandyrbFlute Sound from freesound.org by CarlosCarty Bald Eagle call from xeno-canto.org by Steve Hampton Red Tailed Hawk Call 2 from xeno-canto.org by Peter Ward and Ken Hall Bald Eagle Call 2 from xeno-canto.org by Pal MarvinThump sound from freesound.org by KrystianPawlowski Slice sound from freesound.org by CalGreHollywood Red-Tailed Hawk call from xeno-canto.org by Bruce Lagerquist Warning Call Red-Tailed Hawk from xeno-canto.org by Jeff Dyck Begging Call from xeno-canto.org by Richard E. Webster
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Episode 73: Whoop! There it is! (Whooping Crane)
Feb 19, 202500:52:54Tap to summarizeParty 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!..Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers, check them out where ever you get your music.Bird sounds from Xeno-Canto.org.Whoop 1 by J Frank Goodwin.Whoop 2 by Sue Riffe
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