Overview
The Science of Birds is a lighthearted exploration of bird biology. It's a fun resource for any birder or naturalist who wants to learn more about ornithology. Impress your birding friends at cocktail parties with all of your new bird knowledge! Hosted by Ivan Phillipsen, a professional birding guide and passionate naturalist with a PhD in Zoology.
148 Episodes
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ This is Episode 134. Ivan takes on one of the most iconic bird families in the avian world: Accipitridae—the hawks, eagles, kites, buzzards, harriers, and Old World Vultures. It's a massive and diverse group with no good nickname, though Ivan has a few suggestions. The episode covers the key traits that make these birds such formidable predators—from their hooked bills and locking talons to the bony "brow ridge" that gives them their si...
Transcribed - Published: 1 June 2026
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In this From the Field episode Ivan takes listeners along on a two-week scouting trip to Romania where he explored the country's remarkable natural landscapes in preparation for a future birding tour. There's just one catch: his binoculars broke almost immediately after arriving. Despite that setback, Ivan racks up some lifers and shares highlights from two very different corners of the country. First, he heads to the Danube River Delta...
Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2026
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the Jungle Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum). Sound Citations: Dr S S Suresh, XC1102415. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/1102415 Swami Bogim, XC1037332. Acce...
Transcribed - Published: 30 April 2026
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In Episode 132, Ivan Phillipsen explores the "circulatory system of the land"—the world of rivers and streams. These flowing-water environments, serve as vital habitats for avian life. The episode delves into the ecology of these waterways, breaking down the differences between clear, rocky upland streams and the warmer, sediment-rich rivers of the lowlands. Listeners will learn about the distinct "zones" of a stream—from the central ch...
Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2026
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the Bicolored Antbird (Gymnopithys bicolor). Sound Citations: Niels Krabbe, XC250916. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/250916. Johan Chaves, XC949385. A...
Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2026
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In Episode 131 of The Science of Birds, host Ivan Phillipsen takes a deep dive into one of North America's most familiar woodpeckers: the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus). Found year-round across the continent, this bird has a habit of making itself known in some startling ways, including drumming loudly on rooftops at the crack of dawn. The episode describes the flicker's appearance, from its bold spotted plumage and signature whit...
Transcribed - Published: 5 April 2026
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the Green-breasted Pitta (Pitta reichenowi). Sound Citations: Magnus Wadstein, XC534681. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/534681. Jesse Fagan, XC146919....
Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2026
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In this episode—which is number 130—Ivan Phillipsen explores the fascinating phenomenon of vagrancy... those surprising moments when birds appear far outside their normal range. Learn about the forces that send birds off course, including navigation errors, weather, social behavior, and more. The episode goes beyond the mystery of lost birds to ask a deeper question: are these wayward journeys simply mistakes, or can they shape the futur...
Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2026
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the White-throated Treerunner (Pygarrhychus albogularis). White-throated Treerunner sounds (Xeno Canto recordings XC49939 and XC52238) Support the ...
Transcribed - Published: 5 March 2026
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In this episode, host Ivan Phillipsen dives into the diverse and sometimes mysterious world of the avian family Cuculidae. While the family is famous for the iconic call of the Common Cuckoo and cultural icons like the Cocoa Puffs mascot, it also includes a wide array of other fascinating birds such as roadrunners, coucals, couas, anis, and malkohas. Learn about the unique biological traits and behaviors that define this cosmopolitan gr...
Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2026
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the Yellow-eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes). Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 29 January 2026
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ This is Episode 128. How does a bird travel thousands of miles across the globe only to return to the exact same backyard or nest site year after year? This episode explores the fascinating science behind avian navigation. Learn the difference between simple orientation and "true navigation," uncovering how birds reach specific destinations they have never even visited before. The discussion dives into the bird’s "map-and-compass" toolk...
Transcribed - Published: 18 January 2026
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the Groundscraper Thrush (Turdus litsitsirupa) Groundscraper Thrush sounds: Wikimedia file and Xeno Canto recording XC347146) Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 8 January 2026
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ Episode 127 of The Science of Birds is Ivan Phillipsen’s annual review of fascinating ornithology stories from 2025. Learn about a handful of standout studies that deepened what we know about birds, from major developments in global bird taxonomy to surprising insights about behavior, evolution, and conservation. After a few featured deeper dives, the episode shifts into a rapid-fire “Speed Round,” spotlighting a flurry of bite-sized dis...
Transcribed - Published: 3 January 2026
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus) Asian Dowitcher sounds (Xeno Canto recordings XC349045 and XC806613) Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 12 December 2025
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In this episode—which is number 126—Ivan Phillipsen heads to the seashore to explore the iconic Herring Gulls whose calls define the soundscape of coasts across North America and Europe. Listeners meet not just one but two species: the American Herring Gull and the European Herring Gull, nearly identical in appearance but with a surprisingly twisty evolutionary backstory. Ivan breaks down what makes these gulls such compelling birds: the...
Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2025
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the White-thighed Hornbill (Bycanistes albotibialis) White-thighed Hornbill sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC617118) Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 28 November 2025
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ This is Episode 125. Host Ivan Phillipsen takes listeners inside the amazing respiratory system of birds. He starts by grounding the topic in familiar territory—how mammal lungs work—before revealing how different the avian system really is. The episode walks through the unique division of labor between birds’ small, rigid lungs and their large air sacs, and explains the elegant, one-way flow of air that keeps oxygen constantly moving a...
Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2025
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the Little Woodpecker (Veniliornis passerinus) Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2025
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ This is Episode 124. Host Ivan Phillipsen takes you on a tour of Mimidae—the New World family that includes mockingbirds, thrashers, catbirds, and tremblers. He describes the key features of these songbirds and what sets them apart. Ivan explores the sounds that make this family famous: rich, extended songs, dazzling vocal control, and—for many species—impressive mimicry. You'll also learn about mimid diversity and evolution, from North ...
Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2025
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the Arabian Bustard (Aredotis arabs). Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 9 October 2025
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In Episode 123 Ivan Phillipsen explores the fascinating world of subspecies—the diversity that exists within bird species. Learn how these populations arise, why ornithologists sometimes struggle to define them, and what makes the concept so important for both science and conservation. From the record-breaking Island Thrush, once thought to have more subspecies than any other bird, to chickadees, sparrows, and hawks closer to home, Ivan...
Transcribed - Published: 2 October 2025
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus). Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2025
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ This is Episode 122. Host Ivan Phillipsen takes listeners into the vast sagebrush steppe of western North America and introduces the remarkable birds that call it home—the sage grouse. These birds are icons of the American West, tightly bound to a rugged ecosystem that covers nearly a third of the lower 48 states. Ivan explores how sage grouse have evolved to thrive on a diet of sagebrush—plants laced with bitter, toxic chemicals that m...
Transcribed - Published: 2 September 2025
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the Streak-backed Oriole (Icterus pustulatus). Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 22 August 2025
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ This is Episode 121. In this unscripted “From the Field” episode, host Ivan Phillipsen takes listeners on an immersive, unscripted journey through his recent month-long travels in Japan. Splitting his time between scouting for a future birding tour and exploring for fun, Ivan revisits the country for the first time since spending a formative summer there as an 11-year-old. He reflects on Japan’s geography, climate, and rich biogeog...
Transcribed - Published: 15 August 2025
In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the idea is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they deserve some appreciation and attention. SPOILER ALERT! The featured species in this episode is the White-whiskered Puffbird. Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 7 August 2025
👕 Bird Merch — Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In this episode—which is Number 120—Ivan answers questions sent in by listeners. So this is what we call an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode. The listeners who get to contribute questions for these Ask Me Anything episodes are members of the Science of Birds community on Patreon. There are several tiers of support that people can join, and at the Helpful Hornbill and Awesome Osprey level, one perk is getting to contribute questions for e...
Transcribed - Published: 29 July 2025
This is the first ever Random Bird Thursday! Ivan is experimenting with publishing these shorter, unscripted episodes. In each Random Bird Thursday episode, the idea is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they deserve some appreciation and attention. Random Bird Thursday episodes will be in addition to the normal, long-form episodes. Enjoy, and let Ivan know what you think!...
Transcribed - Published: 18 July 2025
This is Episode 119. In this unscripted “From the Field” episode, host Ivan Phillipsen takes you on a journey through the grasslands, forests, and mountains of Mongolia. Fresh from a ten-day scouting trip in central Mongolia, Ivan recounts his experience scouting for a future birding tour. Along the way, he explores ancient ruins, crosses epic landscapes, and shares observations of unique habitats like the Eastern Steppe, the Daurian Forest Steppe, and the Trans-Baikal Conifer Forests. ...
Transcribed - Published: 11 July 2025
Ivan was a recent guest on Just the Zoo of Us, a fun podcast about animals. The full conversation between Ivan and Host Ellen Weatherford is included in this special episode. They talk about three of the world's weirdest bird species. 🔥 Bird Merch - 20 New Shirt Designs! Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 18 June 2025
In this practical episode about birding skills, Ivan Phillipsen dives into the process of bird identification. Listeners are introduced to a five-step framework for figuring out which bird species they’re observing. Ivan walks through how to use shape, location, behavior, coloration, and detailed field marks to gradually narrow down a bird’s identity. The episode highlights how our brains are naturally equipped to categorize and name things, and how even beginners often know more about birds ...
Transcribed - Published: 31 May 2025
In this episode, Ivan Phillipsen takes listeners on an immersive journey into the strange and secretive world of birds in the family Caprimulgidae. These cryptically colored, nocturnal birds include nightjars, nighthawks, poorwills, and whip-poor-wills. Ivan reveals the fascinating biology of this group—everything from their frog-like gapes to their odd names and eerie calls. Listeners will learn about the distinctive physical traits and behaviors that define caprimulgids, including their spe...
Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2025
In this episode—which is number 115—Ivan Phillipsen guides listeners through the art and science of finding birds—a skill that even seasoned birders are always refining. While birds are everywhere, intentionally locating them in nature can be surprisingly difficult. Ivan breaks down bird-finding as a multi-scale strategy, starting from intercontinental trip planning all the way down to spotting a skulky sparrow in a dense bush. With insight from a decade of leading birding tours and inspirati...
Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025
In this episode—which is Number 114—host Ivan Phillipsen dives into the world of the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)—a bird that’s all about fish. With a global distribution and a singular place in the avian family tree, the Osprey is both biologically unique and instantly recognizable. Ivan explores this raptor’s physical traits, from its distinctive wing shape to its powerful, semi-zygodactyl feet designed for grabbing slippery prey. Listeners will also learn about the Osprey’s evolutionary hist...
Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025
In this episode—which is number 113—host Ivan Phillipsen explores the fascinating crossroads of tradition and technology in the world of birding. With a mix of personal anecdotes and professional insights, he dives into the enduring charm of printed bird field guides and the meteoric rise of mobile birding apps. Whether you’re a seasoned birder with a weathered Sibley guide or a tech-savvy explorer armed with Merlin, this episode will resonate with your bird-loving heart. Ivan takes listeners...
Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2025
In this "From the Field" episode, which is number 112, host Ivan Phillipsen shares his recent experiences birding in Patagonia while leading a two-week tour through this remote and breathtaking region. Speaking from Puerto Varas, Chile, he provides an immersive account of the landscapes, birdlife, and unique ecology of Patagonia, spanning both Argentina and Chile. Ivan explores the geography of the region, highlighting the towering Andes, vast Patagonian Steppe, and dramatic glacial fjo...
Transcribed - Published: 14 March 2025
In this episode, which is number 111, Ivan Phillipsen explores the fascinating world of crossbills, a unique group of finches with an extraordinary beak adaptation. These birds, found across North America, Europe, and Asia, use their specialized crossed bills to extract seeds from conifer cones—a skill few other birds possess. Ivan discusses the six recognized crossbill species, their distinct feeding strategies, and how their beaks evolved for this specialized diet. The episode highli...
Transcribed - Published: 16 February 2025
In this episode—which is number 110—Ivan explores the fascinating world of cooperative breeding in birds, a system in which multiple adults help raise young in a group setting. He begins with an intriguing story from the Kalahari Desert, where Southern Pied-Babblers resort to “chicknapping” during droughts to bolster their flock size. Ivan then broadens the discussion, examining the global distribution of cooperative breeding among bird species and the evolutionary mechanisms that drive...
Transcribed - Published: 1 February 2025
The final installment of "From the Field" episodes from Ivan's 2.5-month journey through Asia. In this episode he describes his experiences in the Himalayan countries of Nepal and Bhutan. ~~ Leave me a review using Podchaser ~~ Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website 🔥 Bird Merch - 20 New Shirt Designs! Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 11 January 2025
Ivan shares his birding experiences and impressions from an amazing 3-week adventure through the provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan in China. ~~ Leave me a review using Podchaser ~~ Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website 🔥 Bird Merch - 20 New Shirt Designs! Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 26 December 2024
Recorded in a hotel room in China, Ivan shares his recent birding and travel experiences in the countries of Vietnam and Cambodia. ~~ Leave me a review using Podchaser ~~ Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website 🔥 Bird Merch - 20 New Shirt Designs! Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2024
From a hotel in Vietnam, Ivan tells the tale of how he created a career centered on birds and birding. ~~ Leave me a review using Podchaser ~~ Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website 🔥 Bird Merch - 20 New Shirt Designs! Support the show
Transcribed - Published: 14 November 2024
This is Episode 105. It’s all about a small group of birds called mergansers. These are diving ducks known for their skill at catching fish. They have long, slender bills with serrated edges, earning them the nickname "sawbills." Maybe you’re familiar with these birds. Maybe you’re already a big fan. Or maybe you didn’t know they existed until just now. Either way, our goal today is to learn a lot more about Common Mergansers and their close relatives. There are five species tha...
Transcribed - Published: 17 October 2024
This episode—which is Number 104—is all about rocky shores and sandy beaches as bird habitat. These environments offer birds very different resources and challenges. We explore the geology behind these habitats—how high-energy waves shape rocky cliffs and headlands, while the deposition of sediment builds up sandy beaches. Alongside this, we discuss the dynamic interaction between birds and their coastal homes, and how species like gulls, shorebirds, and seabirds have adapted to thrive in the...
Transcribed - Published: 25 September 2024
In this episode—which is Number 103—we enter the fascinating world of parrots, focusing on species in the family Psittacidae, which includes New World parrots and some African species. We look at key parrot traits like their zygodactyl feet, strong beaks, plumage, and vocalizations. We'll also learn about the remarkable intelligence and social behaviors of parrots, their diversity, and their evolutionary history, tracing their origins back to Gondwana and their eventual spread to South Ameri...
Transcribed - Published: 8 September 2024
In this episode—which is Number 102—we dive into the fascinating world of the Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), a small but mighty bird known for its striking blue and orange plumage and remarkable fish-hunting skills. We'll look at this species' behavior, from its iconic plunges into water to catch prey, to how it breeds, including courtship rituals, nest-building, and the challenges of raising chicks. Learn about the kingfisher's diet and foraging strategies, including how it deals with c...
Transcribed - Published: 21 August 2024
This is Episode 101. Today, we trace the origins of feathers back millions of years, exploring how they evolved from simple filaments to the complex structures we see in modern birds. We delve into the discovery of feathered dinosaurs like Archaeopteryx and the numerous fossil finds in northeastern China during the 1990s. These discoveries revealed that many non-avian dinosaurs sported feathers of various types and complexities, indicating that feathers were not unique to birds but were a com...
Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2024
Welcome to the 100th episode of The Science of Birds Podcast! I'm thrilled to celebrate this milestone with you. In this special episode, I reflect on the journey of creating this podcast, sharing some insights and gratitude for all of you, my listeners. I also highlight three of my favorite bird species: the vibrant Green Jay, the Torrent Duck, and Egyptian Vulture. Looking ahead, I'm excited to share my plans for the future of The Science of Birds. Thank you for being part of this journey...
Transcribed - Published: 18 July 2024
In this episode—which is Number 99—we dive into the fascinating world of cormorants and shags, members of the avian family Phalacrocoracidae. These sleek, hook-billed birds are known for their distinctive silhouettes, often seen drying their wings on seaside cliffs or wetland trees. Cormorants and shags have a long history of varied human interactions, from being vilified and hunted to being revered and even trained to catch fish. These birds are exceptional divers, utilizing their streamlin...
Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2024
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