The Moth Radio Hour: Birds of a Feather
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Host: Kathryn Burns

Introduction to Bird Stories

Timestamp: 02:21

Kathryn Burns opens the episode by sharing her personal experiences with her parrot, Hamilton, highlighting the unique and sometimes challenging dynamics of living with a bird. She sets the stage for the episode's theme by introducing the various bird-related stories to be featured, including a mischievous raven at the Tower of London, backyard chickens in Detroit, and the remarkable life of a parrot named Alex.

1. Raven Master: Christopher Skaife

Timestamp: 03:50 - 19:23

Overview: Christopher Skaife, a yeoman warder (commonly known as a Beefeater) at the Tower of London, shares his fascinating experiences as part of the Raven Masters team. The Tower maintains six ravens by royal decree, rooted in the legend that the departure of these birds would lead to the fortress's downfall.

Key Points:

• Joining the Raven Team: Skaife recounts how Derek Coyle, the raven master, recruited him after observing his interest in the ravens. Despite his initial skepticism, he quickly became an integral part of the team.

  Quote: “The ravens like you.” (03:50)

• A Day in the Life: He describes a typical day, including feeding the ravens and maintaining their enclosures. Skaife vividly narrates an incident where one of the ravens, Moonin, escapes, causing him to embark on a frantic search to prevent the Tower's ruin.

  Quote: “I had to go and save the kingdom.” (05:45)

• Cultural Significance: Skaife explains the historical and cultural importance of ravens at the Tower, tying them to Gothic revivalism and their association with death, which serves as a poignant memorial for those lost at the execution site.

  Quote: “Ravens have been associated with death for a long, long period throughout history.” (22:15)

• Interaction with Skaife: Post-incident, he discusses his strengthened bond with the ravens and his evolving role, allowing them more freedom around the Tower.

  Quote: “They are much smarter than us nowadays.” (18:50)

Notable Insights:

• The intelligence and adaptability of ravens.
• The blend of myth, history, and practical responsibilities in maintaining the Tower's traditions.
• Personal anecdotes that illustrate the deep connection between humans and these remarkable birds.

Visit & Follow-Up: Kathryn mentions visiting the Tower of London with director Chloe Salmon, providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Skaife's dedication to his role.

Quote: “We spent the next two hours with him in the now empty Tower, watching as he put the ravens to bed at night.” (19:23)

2. Backyard Chickens: Dame Wilburn

Timestamp: 28:07 - 39:54

Overview: Dame Wilburn narrates her humorous and challenging journey into backyard chicken farming in Detroit, highlighting the unforeseen complications that arise when city living meets poultry.

Key Points:

• Motivation to Raise Chickens: Wilburn explains the initial desire to have fresh eggs, leading to the decision to raise chickens despite their lack of farming experience.

  Quote: “I think we should raise chickens.” (28:15)

• Choosing the Right Breed: They select Buff Orpingtons and a Plymouth Barred Rock, initially unaware of the presence of black chicks, which adds to their unique flock.

  Quote: “I didn't know there were black chickens.” (30:40)

• Setting Up: The couple encounters practical challenges such as building coops from Ikea scraps and managing heating lamps, illustrating their lack of preparation for poultry care.

  Quote: “We are unprepared to be chicken farmers.” (34:10)

• Egg Overload and Behavioral Issues: Wilburn humorously describes the overwhelming abundance of eggs and the chickens' unruly behavior, including one chicken crowing excessively and causing disturbances.

  Quote: “Chickens lay one egg a day, six days, and then they cycle.” (35:00)

• Resolution and Lessons Learned: The decision to relocate the chickens underscores the complexities of urban farming, including interactions with neighbors and the unexpected intelligence of the birds.

  Quote: “We gotta get rid of them. We can't keep them now.” (38:20)

Notable Insights:

• The reality of backyard farming in an urban setting.
• The humorous side of adjusting to unexpected responsibilities.
• Reflections on cultural and personal identity through the choice of chicken breeds.

Personal Touch: Kathryn shares a light-hearted moment when Dame receives a feather from one of the chickens, symbolizing her deepening bond with the animals despite the challenges.

Quote: “Sometimes I give a primary and a secondary feather... to people who are about to get married.” (21:37)

3. The Life of Alex: Irene Pepperberg

Timestamp: 39:54 - 57:03

Overview: Irene Pepperberg delves into her groundbreaking research with Alex, a Gray Parrot, exploring avian intelligence and the complexities of human-animal communication. Her story is a poignant blend of scientific discovery and personal loss.

Key Points:

• Transition to Avian Studies: Initially a theoretical chemist, Pepperberg shifts her focus to studying parrots after being inspired by pioneering animal communication research.

  Quote: “I'm going to change my whole field and do this work with a parrot.” (39:54)

• Training Alex: She describes the methods used to teach Alex language skills, including labeling objects, colors, shapes, and concepts, showcasing his impressive cognitive abilities.

  Quote: “Alex learned about 50 labels for objects... concepts of same and different.” (42:10)

• Academic Challenges: Facing skepticism from the scientific community, Pepperberg perseveres, ultimately gaining recognition for Alex's capabilities and securing funding for her research.

  Quote: “He really did.” (52:30)

• Media Engagement: Alex's unique skills attract media attention, leading to appearances on various platforms and increasing public interest in avian intelligence.

  Quote: “He was telling me, 'stupid. Do I have to spell it for you?'” (55:15)

• Tragic Loss: The sudden death of Alex leaves Pepperberg devastated. She shares the emotional impact of losing her closest research companion and the outpouring of support from around the world.

  Quote: “I realized I had lost the most important being in my life.” (56:45)

Notable Insights:

• The depth of cognitive abilities in parrots and their potential for complex communication.
• The personal sacrifices and emotional toll of groundbreaking scientific research.
• The profound bond between researcher and animal, transcending standard scientific objectivity.

Legacy and Continuing Work: Pepperberg discusses her ongoing efforts to honor Alex's memory through the Alex Foundation, promoting avian intelligence and conservation.

Quote: “Thank you.” (57:03)

Conclusion

Kathryn Burns wraps up the episode by inviting listeners to engage with The Moth community, share their own bird-related stories, and explore the featured storytellers' works further through The Moth's website.

Notable Quotes

• Christopher Skaife: “The ravens like you.” (03:50)
• Dame Wilburn: “We gotta get rid of them. We can't keep them now.” (38:20)
• Irene Pepperberg: “I realized I had lost the most important being in my life.” (56:45)

Additional Information

For more stories and to view photos or videos related to this episode, visit themoth.org.

Produced by: The Moth Radio Hour
Website: themoth.org
Contact: To pitch your story, call 877-799-MOTH or submit online at themoth.org.