68 episodes

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

Dirty Bird Podcast Dirty Bird

    • Science
    • 5.0 • 43 Ratings

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

    But I'm a Creeper, I'm a weirdo (Brown Creeper)

    But I'm a Creeper, I'm a weirdo (Brown Creeper)

    Any radiohead fans out there? The Brown Creeper is often overlooked and underappreciated but it has a lot of cool bird facts to share! Parody songs aside, in this episode Dr. John tells you everything you need to know about a tiny bird of the deep coniferous woods of North and Central America. Learn all about their unique nesting behavior, their surprisingly large territory size (compensating for something?), and much more. ..Outro music by the Sidewalks Slammers: find them wherever you get your music.All bird calls are from Xeno-Canto.org.Intro song by Thomas G. GravesBrown Creeper song by Paul Marvin “trees beautiful trees” call by Ron OverholtzBrown Creeper High Pitched Call by Jarrod Swackhamer ..Karaoke version of “Creep” by Radiohead from Sing King on Youtube 

    • 46 min
    Waxwing On, Waxwing Off (Cedar Waxwing)

    Waxwing On, Waxwing Off (Cedar Waxwing)

    These birds know how to party!  Sporting flashy colors, cedar waxwings are always found in raucous groups gorging on food, chirping, and sometimes even getting drunk. Dr. John records outside in First Landing State Park while he tells you everything you need to know about Cedar Waxwings. Learn about how invasive species are changing their coloration, how they are able to survive on an almost exclusively fruit diet, and their perplexing evolutionary history. John read’s the scientific publications so you don’t have to and finds all the best facts to teach you about this fascinating bird species..Thanks to Diana for suggesting this episode!.Intro music by Ricky Pistone and outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music!.Bird Sounds from Xeno-Canto.orgOpening Call by Jeffery MannBzee call by Ted FloydSighing whistle call by Bobby Wilcox 

    • 59 min
    Fight for your Kite to Party! (White-Tailed Kite)

    Fight for your Kite to Party! (White-Tailed Kite)

    Rodents beware! The White-Tailed Kite has a range that extends from California to South America and wherever it is rodents are on the menu. From mice to guinea pigs, these birds are basically the "Day Owls". In fact, they share several evolutionary adaptations in common with Owls! Learn all about the White-Tailed Kite in this festive episode of Dirty Bird Podcast...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 Call: Dante Buzzetti .see-yrk call: Nicole Alfaro Ponce.Chirp Call: Cristian Pinto Fernandez .Osprey Call: Lars Edenius .Grunt Call: Paul Marvin

    • 41 min
    It's a Hard (wood) Cock Life: (American Woodcock)

    It's a Hard (wood) Cock Life: (American Woodcock)

    Life is tough for an American Woodcock. You nest on the ground, everything wants to eat and shoot you, and your habitat is decreasing. Plus, even the ornithologists seem not to care about your evolution! On the plus side, migration is more of a swinging vacation than an arduous journey! Join John as he talks all about the American Woodcock's funny vocalizations and feeding behaviors, its conservation concerns, and its unique courtship display. Recorded on a breezy day in First Landing State Park, even a fox stops by to listen!.Thanks to dreamroux for suggesting this episode!..Intro music by Ricky Pistone and outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers..Birds sounds from xeno-canto.orgOpening Call by Jim Berry.Meep Call by Alex Lin-Moore.Up Close Call by Justin Watts.Flight Call Justin Saucier.Cackle by Paul Driver.Wing Whistle by Paul Driver

    • 58 min
    Forever A-Loon (Common Loon)

    Forever A-Loon (Common Loon)

    When you hear the haunting call of a common loon, you may feel alone and scared, but seeing this beautiful bird is sure to raise your spirits! Learn all about the many unique and beautiful calls of the Common Loon which can be found in lakes across northern America and also featured in many horror movie soundtracks. While it appears peaceful paddling on the water, these birds can be extremely violent during the breeding season. Join Dr. John as he explores the breeding, feeding evolution, and other fun facts about the Common Loon! . Thanks to Henson for suggesting this episode!  . Thanks to Jessica Coker for providing the cover art! Follow her on instagram @thepsoreywing . 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 Call by Bruce Lagerquist   Wail call 1 by Sunny Tsang All Bird sounds are from xeno-canto.orgOpening Call by Bruce Lagerquist Wail call 1 by Sunny TsangWail call 2 by Nicholas Comparato Tremelo call by Davyd Betchkal Tremelo call 2 by Lance A.M. BennerYodel call by Thomas ZgirskiYodel call 2 by Panvert Robin Hoot Call by Lauren Harter 

    • 1 hr 6 min
    Dirty Bird Shorties: The Common Loon

    Dirty Bird Shorties: The Common Loon

    Spend a few minutes learning about the Common Loon! Hear their unique vocalization, learn about their unique swimming mechanisms, and find out their hidden angry side. ..Intro music by Ricky Pistone.Cover art by Jessica Coker, follow her on instagram @theospreywing.All Bird sounds are from xeno-canto.orgWail Call by Sunny TsangTremelo call by Davyd Betchkal Yodel call by Thomas Zgirski

    • 2 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
43 Ratings

43 Ratings

A. IX C. ,

Kleptoparasitism

An absolutely wonderful birding podcast that is entertaining, thoughtful, and inspiring. As a relatively new birder, the information is invaluable and the format is perfection. One, of many, things a I have learned is that even if a ‘show’ bird is not in your backyard, you can practice your amateur ornithology by monitoring the behavior of more common species. Lastly, I use the term ‘kleptoparasitism’ way too much.

Em6768 ,

Learning and Laughing

I listen to this podcast at work and quite often have to hold in the laughter to avoid weird looks from others. When I’m not suppressing a laugh I’m learning and it’s the best! Anytime I see a new episode is available I know it’s about to be a great day. Thank you, John!

pyramid life ,

Wren you want to make a gourde-ous birdhouse...

Found the dirty birdie 'No Home for Old Wren' podcast to learn all about the bird I was looking to home. Then I spent the day drilling out seasoned gourdes for next spring's wrens and learning about my old favorite bird.

Then I kept listening while refilling the birdfeeders, cleaning the gutters and planning for the all important winter watering hole.

And THEN found a paper wasp hive on freecycle... I sure hope you're right that the wasps won't still be in house in January!

(Contrary to what may be popular opinion, I want more pods about backyard birds and the common guys I may see around. Or maybe one of bird lore, like 'Cardinals mean your dead loved ones are back in town'.)

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