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Matt Ross

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NatureEducationScienceEnglish

Hi, I'm Matt, a bird enthusiast from New Zealand! So, not surprisingly, this is a podcast about birds! Learning about our avian friends has reconnected me with wonder, passion and an excitement for life, and I want to pass that experience on through the podcast.


Follow me/message me on Instagram: matt.rossella

Support the podcast on Patreon: patreon.com/blurbs439


A big thank you has to go out to Ivan Phillipsen from the Science of Birds podcast for sparking this.

Website

Episodes

The Manumea (Tooth-billed Pigeon)
27 September 2026

The Manumea (Tooth-billed Pigeon)

Hear all about this close relative of the Dodo, managing to hold on in its little corner of the Pacific.References:Amaama, S. A., Schorch, P., & Sung, A. (2025). Sāmoan archival-museum entanglements,(re) activations of the Vā. Museum History Journal, 18(2), 179-195.Cardoso, G. C., & Price, T. D. (2010). Community convergence in bird song. Evolutionary Ecology, 24(2), 447-461.Gough, W. B.,...
Birding In Samoa
30 August 2026

Birding In Samoa

From endemics to beach chickens... Hear all about my cycling and birding trip around Upolu, Samoa! (I think I'm a converted cyclo-birder now!).Follow me on instagram: matt.rossellaSupport blurbs through the support the show link!Support the show
Instinct In Birds
26 July 2026

Instinct In Birds

Will you like this episode? Listen to your instincts! (and then check it out to see if you were right!). References:Bird, A. (2024). Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance: A critical perspective. Frontiers in epigenetics and epigenomics, 2, 1434253.Blumberg, M. S. (2017). Development evolving: the origins and meanings of instinct. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science, 8(1-2),...
The Kererū
28 June 2026

The Kererū

Lynchpin... glutton... wearer of stylish overalls... there are so many ways to describe the kererū! Come and hear all about this amazing bird.References:Cousins, R. A. (2010). Kereru (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)-Impact injuries, morphometrics, moult and plumage (Doctoral dissertation, MSc-thesis, massey University, New Zealand).Carpenter, J. K., Walker, S., Monks, A., Innes, J., Binny, R. N.,...
Colour Polymorphism In Kākāpō
26 May 2026

Colour Polymorphism In Kākāpō

Who new that one different shade could tell us so much about a birds evolutionary history....References:Ducatez, S., Giraudeau, M., Thebaud, C., & Jacquin, L. (2017). Colour polymorphism is associated with lower extinction risk in birds. Global Change Biology, 23(8), 3030-3039.Ruzicka, F., Zwoinska, M. K., Goedert, D., Kokko, H., Li Richter, X. Y., Moodie, I. R., ... & Connallon, T....
The Hoatzin
27 April 2026

The Hoatzin

Hear all about this one of a kind bird! I can't wait for you to see "hoatzin" store!A big thank you to @theweenuthatch (instagram) for his insight and resources for this topic! Check him out for bird guiding services!Follow me on instagram: @matt.rossellaSupport the show: patreon.com/blurbs439References:Abourachid, A., Herrel, A., Decamps, T., Pages, F., Fabre, A. C., Van Hoorebeke, L., ... &...
Haast's Eagle
28 March 2026

Haast's Eagle

The largest eagle ever known - hear all about this extinct apex predator!Reach out to me on instagram: matt.rossellaSupport the show (a.k.a become an endemic blurb!): patreon.com/blurbs439References:Brathwaite, D. H. (1992). Notes on the weight, flying ability, habitat, and prey of Haast’s Eagle (Harpagornis moorei). Notornis, 39(4), 239-247.Bunce, M., Szulkin, M., Lerner, H. R. L., Barnes, I.,...
Island Dwarfism In Birds
28 February 2026

Island Dwarfism In Birds

Can you do me a small favour real quick? Have a listen to this episode! I hope you enjoy!Follow me on instagram: matt.rossellaWant to help my work? click the support the show link at the bottom!References:Benítez-López, A., Santini, L., Gallego-Zamorano, J., Milá, B., Walkden, P., Huijbregts, M. A., & Tobias, J. A. (2021). The island rule explains consistent patterns of body size evolution in...
The Hoiho (Yellow-eyed Penguin)
30 January 2026

The Hoiho (Yellow-eyed Penguin)

Thankyou to Sam Holt for suggesting this topic! Follow them on instagram @samholtnz56 for excellent photography of New Zealand's landscapes and birds!If you'd like to suggest a topic, then consider becoming a patron!: patreon.com/blurbs439References:Alley, M. R., Suepaul, R. B., McKinlay, B., Young, M. J., Wang, J., Morgan, K. J., ... & Gartrell, B. D. (2017). Diphtheritic stomatitis in...
The Silvereye (Tauhou)
23 December 2025

The Silvereye (Tauhou)

Hear all about a little bird that has earned the big title of "GREAT SPECIATOR"!🥈Connect with me on instagram: matt.rossellaReferences:Estandía, A., Merino Recalde, N., Sendell‐Price, A. T., Potvin, D. A., Goulding, W., Robertson, B. C., & Clegg, S. (2025). Islands Promote Diversification of the Silvereye Species Complex: A Phylogenomic Analysis of a Great Speciator. Molecular ecology,...