World of Birds

Intro to Hawk Groups and their Identification

A look into the main categories of birds you would see while hawk watching, the buteos, falcons, accipiters, eagles and the oddballs that don't fit into these groups.

New World Sparrows

A look into the family Passerellidae, or the New World Sparrows, a family of birds that contains 132 species.

Bird Adaptations: Ocelli

A look into how some birds have ocelli, or false eyespots and their purpose.

Bird Terms: Dihedral Flight

A look into the flight style of the Turkey Vulture.

Species Spotlight: I'iwi

Hawaii is home to many endemic birds, including the I'iwi. In this episode you will learn a bit about this little honeycreeper and the threats it is facing.

Bird Behaviors: Caching

Ever wonder how birds survive winter or other rough times where food may be hard to find, here is a look into one of the behaviors birds use to survive these time periods.

Finding Food in Winter

With how difficult it can be to find food in the winter, many species choose to migrate south, but what about the insect eating birds we see during the winter months like Brown Creepers and Kinglets?

Bird Adaptations: Grouse Feet

A look into one of the ways Ruffed Grouse deal with winter conditions.

Bird Anatomy: Eye Rings

A look into the details of a bird's facial anatomy, their eye rings. A bird's anatomy can be highly variable, from the broadest being body shape, color, bill, wings and feet. Down in more minute features that can often get overlooked.  When drawing, we are always told the eye is the most important feature that you want to stand out. But how often do you notice the intricate feathers or bare skin that are around that eye. What color they are, do they form a shape or particular pattern? Bar...

How Diet Affects Color

A look into how what a bird eats can affect it color, with a spotlight on the Cedar Waxwing If you see a flock of Cedar Waxwings, you may notice that some have yellow tipped tails while others may be orange. That color change is a direct result of something relatively new being included in their diet. When a waxwing’s tail feathers grow in, they are typically a bright yellow, but when the tail is growing in and they eat berries from the honeysuckle plant, an introduced invasive plant that ...

Species Spotlight: Evening Grosbeak

A look into the life of the Evening Grosbeak, a large boreal finch that is a welcome guest at any bird feeder.

Mini: Bird Colors- Melanin Pigment

A look into one of the ways birds express color.

Hummingbirds

A quick look into the world of Hummingbirds.

Mini: Woodpecker Nares

A quick episode about an unique woodpecker adaptation.

Bird Eggs

A quick look into what makes bird eggs so unique and what shapes their appearance.

Bird Dimorphism: Age

A look into some of the ways birds change in appearance as they age, from fledgling to an adult.

What is a Species

A look into how biologist classify what a species is in the bird world.

Bird Families: Parulidae

All about the bird family Parulidae, also called new world warblers or wood warblers.

Species Spotlight: Steller's Sea Eagle

A little episode about the Steller's Sea eagles biology and life history.

How do Birds Survive Winter?

A look into some of the strategies birds use to survive winter conditions.

Owl Adaptations

A look into some of the amazing adaptations that Owls have.

Bird Families: Charadriidae

This episode goes over the bird family Charadriidae, which contains plovers, dotterels and lapwings. There are a total of 68 species in this family in 10 genera. Bird songs Copyright Macaulay Library

Species Spotlight: Hoary Redpoll

This episode features the hoary redpoll, a small round finch species that lives high up in the arctic tundra. Bird songs Copyright Macaulay Library

A Conservation Story: The California Condor

The California condor population was at one point at only 22 individuals, but the determination of several individuals and agencies has led to it being brought back from the brink of extinction. As of 2020 there are more than 500 individuals in the world.

Bird Families: Albatross

This episode is featuring a look into the lives of Albatrosses.

A Birds Life: Altricial vs Precocial

A look into the parts of a birds lifecycle. This episode is about baby birds, more specifically the categories of the different styles a baby bird can hatch and grow up. Bird songs Copyright Macaulay Library

Species Spotlight: Black-Capped Chickadee

This episode is a species spotlight for the cute little black-capped chickadee. This little songbird is a common sight at bird feeders in its range so I hope that this episode will teach everyone a little bit more about this bold little bird. Bird songs Copyright Macaulay Library

A Conservation Story: The Whooping Crane

A new series in the World of Birds Podcast! Each episode shares the story of a conservation of a species. This episode features the Whooping Crane and how it went from only 20 individuals in the 1940's to almost 800 individuals now. Bird songs Copyright Macaulay Library

What is an Irruption of Birds?

Many birders and nonbirders may be noticing a few unusual species at their feeder this year, that is because this year is an irruption year for many boreal finches, but what is an irruption and what causes it? Bird songs Copyright Macaulay Library

Bird Families: Owls

A glimpse into some of the aspects that make owls so unique, characteristics of the two families that are called owls. A look into their life, habits, food and more. Bird songs Copyright Macaulay Library

Bird Migration

A glimpse into the great natural wonder of bird migration. A look at why and some aspects of how they complete this amazing journey year after year. Bird songs Copyright Macaulay Library

Bird Families: Vultures

An episode featuring Vultures and some of their unique behaviors, adaptations and characteristics.

World's Smallest Bird

A mini episode featuring the smallest bird found in the world, the Bee Hummingbird.

Introduction to Bird Diversity

With over 10000 recognized species of birds, there is a staggering amount of variety found through out this group. From little hummingbirds to giant ostriches, cryptically colored nighthawks to brilliantly colored tanagers. Birds can come in so many different shapes and sizes, each part of their body evolved to make use of every environment, food source and niche available to them. this episode offers just but a glimpse into some of the variety you can see in this unique animal classification.

World of Birds trailer