We learn about a bird that winters in the north; Mike O'Connor helps a baffled backyard birder; and we present a new Birder's Profile.
#219: June 14, 2009
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.