Podcast
The Science of Birds
Hosted by Ivan Phillipsen · EN
The Science of Birds is a lighthearted exploration of bird biology. It's a fun resource for any birder or naturalist who wants to learn more about ornithology. Impress your birding friends at cocktail parties with all of your new bird knowledge! Hosted by Ivan Phillipsen, a professional birding guide and passionate naturalist with a PhD in Zoology.
23episodes
Episodes
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The Northern Flicker
Apr 500:54:30Tap to summarize👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~In Episode 131 of The Science of Birds, host Ivan Phillipsen takes a deep dive into one of North America's most familiar woodpeckers: the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus). Found year-round across the continent, this bird has a habit of making itself known in some startling ways, including drumming loudly on rooftops at the crack of dawn.The episode describes the flicker's appearance, from its bold spotted plumage and signature white rump patch to the mustache-like malar stripe that sets males apart. It also covers the bird's surprisingly un-woodpecker-like lifestyle—spending most of its time hopping on the ground in pursuit of ants—and the full range of sounds it uses to communicate, from the mechanical "long call" to the rhythmic "wicka call" used in courtship and territorial disputes.The episode gets into the centuries-old debate over whether the yellow-shafted and red-shafted forms should be considered separate species, the remarkable hybrid zone stretching across the Great Plains, and what recent genomic research has revealed about the genetics behind their different color forms. Also covered are the flicker's breeding behavior, diet, and its ecological role as a keystone species.Despite being one of the most recognizable birds in North American backyards, flicker populations have declined by nearly 50% since 1966 — a sobering reminder that even familiar species need our attention. Tune in to learn all about this loud, lovable, ant-obsessed bird.Links of InterestNorthern Flicker drumming on metal roof [VIDEO]Pair of flickers doing the "Wicka Dance" [VIDEO]Wild Latitudes: Worldwide birding and nature tours.Link to this episode on the Science of Birds websiteSupport the show
Transcribe →Random Bird Thursday: A Colorful, Dumpy Bird That Chills With Chimps
Mar 2600:15:22Tap to summarizeIn each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the Green-breasted Pitta (Pitta reichenowi).Sound Citations:Magnus Wadstein, XC534681. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/534681.Jesse Fagan, XC146919. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/146919.Support the show
Transcribe →Vagrancy: Why Some Birds End Up Far From Home
Mar 1700:54:20Tap to summarize👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~In this episode—which is number 130—Ivan Phillipsen explores the fascinating phenomenon of vagrancy... those surprising moments when birds appear far outside their normal range.Learn about the forces that send birds off course, including navigation errors, weather, social behavior, and more. The episode goes beyond the mystery of lost birds to ask a deeper question: are these wayward journeys simply mistakes, or can they shape the future of species?Along the way, the episode reveals how vagrancy connects to migration, ecology, and evolution in ways that are more important than they might first appear.Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website🔥 Bird Merch - 20 New Shirt Designs!Support the show
Transcribe →Random Bird Thursday: A Large Fat-eater from Patagonia
Mar 500:25:48Tap to summarizeIn each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the White-throated Treerunner (Pygarrhychus albogularis).White-throated Treerunner sounds (Xeno Canto recordings XC49939 and XC52238)Support the show
Transcribe →Cuckoos
Feb 2501:06:02Tap to summarize👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~In this episode, host Ivan Phillipsen dives into the diverse and sometimes mysterious world of the avian family Cuculidae. While the family is famous for the iconic call of the Common Cuckoo and cultural icons like the Cocoa Puffs mascot, it also includes a wide array of other fascinating birds such as roadrunners, coucals, couas, anis, and malkohas.Learn about the unique biological traits and behaviors that define this cosmopolitan group. From their distinctive zygodactyl feet and plumage variations to their innate, genetically-programmed vocalizations. The episode also highlights the famous behavior of brood parasitism—where some cuckoos leave their young to be raised by other species—as well as the physical adaptations that allow others to thrive as terrestrial sprinters or arboreal skulkers.Links of Interest Striped Cuckoo "jazz hands" foraging [VIDEO]Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website🔥 Bird Merch - 20 New Shirt Designs!Support the show
Transcribe →Random Bird Thursday: An Antisocial Bottom-Feeder from the Antipodes
Jan 2900:15:51Tap to summarizeIn each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the Yellow-eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes).Support the show
Transcribe →Avian Navigation: How Birds Find Their Way
Jan 1800:37:19Tap to summarize👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~This is Episode 128. How does a bird travel thousands of miles across the globe only to return to the exact same backyard or nest site year after year? This episode explores the fascinating science behind avian navigation. Learn the difference between simple orientation and "true navigation," uncovering how birds reach specific destinations they have never even visited before.The discussion dives into the bird’s "map-and-compass" toolkit, highlighting a range of incredible adaptations. From internal biological clocks and genetic blueprints to the ability to "see" magnetic fields through quantum physics, the episode breaks down how birds interpret the world around them. Whether they are tracking the sun, the stars, or even atmospheric scents, birds take a multi-sensory approach to get from one place to another.Finally, the episode examines the role of experience versus instinct, explaining how juvenile birds navigate their first solo journeys and how seasoned adults build complex mental maps of the planet.Link to this episode on the Science of Birds websiteSupport the show
Transcribe →Random Bird Thursday: A Fire-Loving Songbird Adorned with Black Oil Drops
Jan 800:16:10Tap to summarizeIn each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the Groundscraper Thrush (Turdus litsitsirupa)Groundscraper Thrush sounds: Wikimedia file and Xeno Canto recording XC347146)Support the show
Transcribe →What We Learned About Birds in 2025
Jan 300:42:44Tap to summarize👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~Episode 127 of The Science of Birds is Ivan Phillipsen’s annual review of fascinating ornithology stories from 2025. Learn about a handful of standout studies that deepened what we know about birds, from major developments in global bird taxonomy to surprising insights about behavior, evolution, and conservation.After a few featured deeper dives, the episode shifts into a rapid-fire “Speed Round,” spotlighting a flurry of bite-sized discoveries.The episode wraps with some notable 2025 taxonomy updates (splits, lumps, and reclassifications) and a brief personal year-in-review for Ivan and the podcast itself.Link to this episode on the Science of Birds websiteSupport the show
Transcribe →Random Bird Thursday: A Worm-slurping Mud-runner From Siberia
Dec 1200:22:19Tap to summarizeIn each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus)Asian Dowitcher sounds (Xeno Canto recordings XC349045 and XC806613)Support the show
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