We welcome Olivia Gentile, author of "Life List," the remarkable story of Phoebe Snetzinger, who saw more species of birds than anyone else in history. Plus, the "Wolf Whistle" sandpiper and a rapidly-spinning Mystery Bird.
#218: June 7, 2009
A bird with an eight-and-a-half-foot wingspan; one that's a most graceful flyer; another that's a world-class dancer; and a bird that's smarter than we think—all featured on this edition of Talkin' Birds.
#217: May 31, 2009
We learn how the Purple Martin got its name, we get some advice on attracting Indigo Buntings, and blue is the color of our Mystery Bird.
#216: May 24, 2009
Mass Audubon's John Galluzzo co-hosts and we get a live report from a lady named Krill out in Cape Cod Bay. Also today, Mike O'Connor answers two questions for a listener, and we hear about a bird with a prodigious appetite for conifer seeds.
#215: May 17, 2009
We learn some fascinating facts about Pelecanus occidentalis, Mike O'Connor has advice about saving your suet, and we hear good news about a pesticide ban.
#214: May 10, 2009
We welcome Doug Chickering, who offers a poetic description of a Northern Flicker mating dance. We also learn about one of the few birds that exists only in the United States, and Mike O'Connor tries to help a desperate listener achieve a life-long dream!
#213: May 3, 2009
We talk about some great conservation news; we learn some fascinating phalarope facts; and Mike O'Connor explains the wanderings of the Pine Siskin.
#212: April 26, 2009
Our man John "Gadabout" Galluzzo checks in from the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in New York. Also, a caller makes good use of her field guide in our Mystery Bird Contest, and Mike O'Connor helps—or at least sympathizes with—a listener whose robins are singing at 2 a.m.
#211: April 19, 2009
The late, great Roger Miller helps us introduce our Featured Feathered Friend; we field a couple of calls from Canada; and Mike O'Connor helps a listener solve a cowbird conundrum.
#210: April 12, 2009
Bird migration researcher Tim Spahr describes how he predicted a big fallout of birds last spring and how he might do it again. Our man Mike O'Connor explains the behavior of paint-eating Blue Jays, and we learn how a beautiful diver got its name.
#209: April 5, 2009
David Clapp joins us for some hummingbird talk; Mike O'Connor offers advice for a concerned backyard birder; and "Daddy Longlegs" is today's Mystery Bird.
#208: March 29, 2009
An email quiz leads you to a two-pound bag of Birds and Beans bird-friendly coffee. Also, Mike O'Connor solves a mystery about bees in bird feeders, and we learn about the plain bird with the flashing wings.
#207: March 22, 2009
We try to solve the mystery of a Robin's egg found in February; we give away more Birds and Beans coffee; and we learn some interesting stuff about a misnamed bird.
#206: March 15, 2009
We travel to ancient Troy to learn about a "beautiful swimmer"; our man Mike O'Connor answers a question about birds and salmonella; and you could win a two-pound bag of bird-friendly coffee in our email quiz.
#205: March 8, 2009
We learn about the only true lark that's native to North America; Mike O'Connor opines on the effect of cold weather on the timing of migrating birds; and our resident poet, Doug Chickering, laments "The Year of Perpetual Winter."
#204: March 1, 2009
We learn about a bird that looks like a Viking ship; Mike O'Connor answers a surprising listener question; and we give away six pounds of bird-friendly coffee!
#203: February 22, 2009
Renowned field guide author and naturalist Kenn Kaufman joins us to provide some firsthand observations about the importance of bird-friendly coffee. Also today, we head way out west to learn about a bird from...way back east.
#202: February 15, 2009
We welcome naturalist and author Scott Weidensaul, who explains the virtues of bird-friendly coffee. Also, Mike O'Connor discusses how ultraviolet light may prevent bird window crashes.
#201: February 8, 2009
Biologist Bridget Stutchbury talks about bird-friendly coffee and the Birds and Beans northern tour. Also, Mike O'Connor shatters a myth about birds and Christmas trees, and we learn a great way to tell the difference between a Cooper's Hawk and a Sharpie.
#200: February 1, 2009
Dr. Russell Greenberg of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center explains why drinking shade-grown coffee is so important. Also today, we learn about an owl that flies like a crow, and we present a Let's Ask Mike segment that we call "Like the Downy of a Thistle."