BirdNote Daily

Open, vertical pipes are commonly used to build fences, anchor gates, and post signs. Inquisitive birds often inspect these cavities in their search for food and nest sites. But without enough room to turn around or spread his wings in the smooth pipe, the little bird will be trapped — and eventually die. It’s why conservationists call them death pipes. Conservation groups like the Tucson Bird...

The American Kestrel is the smallest, most numerous, and most widespread North American falcon. This bird is built for speed, its long pointed wings often bent back at the tip. While hunting, kestrels hover above an open field. These days, the lack of suitable nesting cavities, which limits American Kestrel populations in some areas, has lead to public interest in installing wooden nest boxes....

Wildlife biologist Alex Troutman jokes that he was always destined to be a fisherman. But Troutman family fishing trips taught Alex to appreciate birds, too. On the Bring Birds Back podcast, Alex reflects on his journey from being a critter-curious kid to becoming a professional conservationist and field guide author. Listen to the full episode on season 8 of Bring Birds Back. Find it in your...

A city lake is one of the most prized places in a fast, growing environment. It’s also often difficult to distinguish all of the bird calls from each other. With a splash of a beak, a glide of a wing, and an eye of a predator — listen closely, and then again to sharpen your bird ear. This episode is brought to you by Teton Science Schools, specializing in outdoor learning experiences and...

Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring, and her beloved friend Dorothy Freeman shared a love of nature, and especially of one bird: the Veery, a type of thrush. Plain looking as it is, the Veery has a particularly beautiful song. Hear the extended podcast from BirdNote Presents. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+...

When a soaring Short-toed Snake-Eagle spots a delicious snake, it swoops down, grabs it with its talons, then tears off the snake’s head. Still on the wing, it swallows the entire snake, head first. Smaller than Bald Eagles, they live mainly in Africa and have legs and toes covered in thick scales to protect them from bites. Snake-Eagles take on some of the swiftest and deadliest snakes in the...

A decent pair of binoculars can considerably enhance your enjoyment of birds. In this episode, birder and naturalist Dara Miles Wilson shares a crash course on how to use binoculars. This is Black Birders Week! Learn how to participate by following the hashtag #BlackBirdersWeek on social media and checking out the full schedule here. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote?...

Brianna Amingwa, is an environmental educator, co-organizer of Black Birders Week and mom of two little bird-loving boys. For Black Birders Week, Brianna shares moments of fun and learning while birding as a family. This is Black Birders Week! Learn how to participate by following the hashtag #BlackBirdersWeek on social media and checking out the full schedule of events here. More info and...

Harriet Tubman was a heroic abolitionist in the cause to end chattel slavery. She was also an excellent astronomer and naturalist — and an expert birder. She mastered the hoot of the Barred Owl, using it as a signal throughout the Underground Railroad to let freedom seekers know she had arrived. This week is Black Birders Week! Learn how to participate in Black Birders Week here and by following...

In this episode, Marcus Rosten shares his involvement in a study of the American Woodcock with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The study revealed the surprising journeys of one of North America’s quirkiest birds. One woodcock caught near Buffalo flew nearly 400 miles south without stopping, en route to spend the winter in North Carolina. Migrations like the woodcocks’...