We present a Mystery Bird that says its name, and we find our Featured Feathered Friend way down in South Texas.
#235: October 4, 2009
We learn about the bird that inspired the saying, "You look prettier than a pewee in a peckerwood tree." Our man John Galluzzo checks in live from Block Island, and we get a fearless fall finch forecast from Mike O'Connor.
#234: September 27, 2009
We offer praise for the "common" crow, and for another bird that gets the Rodney Dangerfield treatment.
#233: September 20, 2009
From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York, features Laura Erickson, editor of the Birdscope newsletter; a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker as our featured bird; and a live sighting of a juvenile Bald Eagle!
#232: September 13, 2009
We learn about a bird that's also a pack rat; we report an unusual close encounter; and we get jealous over a bird's ability to lose weight, fast.
#231: September 6, 2009
We learn about a fellow named Dick who lived in the White House long before Dick Nixon. Also today, we NEARLY stump our callers on the Mystery Bird contest, and we offer a salute of sorts to the people of Hinckley, Ohio.
#230: August 30, 2009
The tern that doesn’t fish, and bird sighting reports from Wrigley Field and Fenway Park.
#229: August 23, 2009
Scott Weidensaul explains why shade-grown coffee is essential for the survival of birds. Also, we hear a bird that sounds like a frog, and Mike O'Connor solves an Osprey mystery for a listener.
#228: August 16, 2009
We learn about red-eyed birds and skunk-headed coots, and how to find owls in the daytime.
#227: August 9, 2009
Wayne Petersen talks about the Important Bird Areas program and bird-friendly coffee. And Mike answers the provocative question, "Why can't we get British women to twitch?"
#226: August 2, 2009
We offer free samples of bird-friendly Birds and Beans coffee; the big bad Black-back stars as our Featured Feathered Friend; and in our Let's Ask Mike segment we hear about the Cardinal vs. the Oldsmobile.
#225: July 26, 2009
David Clapp talks about shorebirds heading south, and the shearwater spectacular; Mike O'Connor discusses the "robin with a sore throat;" and a listener identifies a hard-to-find Mystery Bird.
#224: July 19, 2009
We find out why our Mystery Bird has a strangely-shaped bill; we learn about a blue heron that's sometimes white; and we salute an Australian town for their successful battle against waste and pollution.
#223: July 12, 2009
We learn some fascinating facts about a bird whose many nicknames include Skunk-headed Coot. We call today's Let's Ask Mike segment "Birds on a Break." And a wolf whistle helps an Illinois caller identify our Mystery Bird.
#222: July 5, 2009
We learn some amazing stuff about the Sooty Shearwater; we present a tail-wagging Mystery Bird; and Mike O'Connor explains what makes the Eastern Wood Pewee unique.
#221: June 28, 2009
We learn about a "rare" owl that's actually quite common; Mike O'Connor tries to save a wren...and a marriage; and we spring a little surprise on our unsuspecting engineer.
#220: June 21, 2009
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.