What do you think 2020 was like for birds? Do you think they noticed that there were a lot

fewer humans running around being obnoxious? Maybe it was a good year for birds. They certainly

had more of the planet to themselves than usual. For humans, 2020 was, if nothing else,

different. I won't repeat the many things that have been said about this crazy year,

but I do hope that you got through it okay and that you're feeling optimistic about next year.

In many ways, human civilization got shut down in 2020.

But science? Science waits for no one! New research kept being published through

2020. So our understanding of how nature and the universe works kept on expanding, bit by bit as it has

for centuries. We know a lot about birds already. If we didn't, then I wouldn't have much to say to you, and this podcast would be a big waste of everyone's time.

But it turns out that there is still so much more to learn about birds.

There's no end in sight.

New ornithological discoveries are always on the horizon.

So let's talk about some awesome things we discovered

about birds in 2020. Hello and welcome. This is the Science of Birds. I am your host, Ivan Philipson.

The Science of Birds podcast is a lighthearted, guided exploration of bird biology for

lifelong learners.

In this episode, I'll be reviewing five interesting bird studies published in 2020.

I'll provide links to each of these studies in the show notes in case you want to learn more.

Also, stick around to the end of the episode because I'm going to include a little

personal note to let you know how things are going.

Alrighty then, let's get into the science.

Okay. Alrighty then, let's get into the science. Before we get to the top five bird studies, I want to talk real quick about the bird species that were discovered in 2020.

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