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“Thank you for bringing science and community together in a joyful radio show.”
— Colleen, East Walpole, Massachusetts
On our latest show (#1,088 May 3): Robyn Bailey and the Hidden World of Nests and Eggs; Mike O’Connor on Plirding; and our friend, the Chipping Sparrow. Hear it here.
Cycle of a bird band
A Blue-winged Teal banded in Louisiana becomes part of the North American Bird Banding Program, which tracks millions of records to guide waterfowl research and conservation. This brief narrative describes the use of a bird band from when it's put on to the end of the bird's life, so we can see why bird banding matters. (5/7)
Peregrine Falcon nest cam
This nest box is on a cliff face near La Crescent, Minnesota, overlooking the Mississippi River. There are eyases (chicks) in the best! Trust us: You really don’t want to be any closer to eyases than this without protective gear. This cam is in Central time. (5/6)
A favorite False Knees comic
This one proves that we here at Talkin' Birds HQ are NOT intelligent life. Not that you ever thought we were. (4/27)
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now a thriving ecosystem
The open ocean has new inhabitants. (4/20)
How nest designs protect eggs and baby birds
Bird nests are not permanent year-round homes: They’re structures that temporarily hold eggs and baby birds until they can survive on their own. This article from Cornell Lab’s Bird Academy is a wonderful primer on all you need to know about nests. (5/5)
The plastic pot conundrum
According to the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD), 95% to 98% of plastic plant pots end up in landfills. And yet 81% of global consumers want environmental solutions. Here’s why this is happening and what you can do about it. (5/5)
All about nestboxes
Ray spoke with our man Mike O'Connor about keeping predators out of nestboxes. There's LOTS of information on this website about buying, building, managing, and repairing nestboxes, so s have a look around. (4/21)
Tips for safe nest-watching
It's the time of year when birds are nesting and the equipment for nest cams is on sale. But should you set one up? What are best practices for keeping an eye on the nests near you? This article answers some of our most important questions. (4/14)
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Bird vocalizations provided by The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Website photography by Shawn Carey/Migration Productions.