Claim OwnershipThe Science of Birds
Subscribed: 1,508Played: 31,073
Subscribe
© 2026 The Science of Birds
Description
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.
138 Episodes
Reverse
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
👕 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...
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
👕 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...
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
👕 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...
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
👕 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...
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
👕 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 ...
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
👕 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...
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
👕 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...
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
👕 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...
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
👕 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...
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!...
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. ...
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
why so long between episodes?
As a duck mom, I really enjoyed this. Thank you!
Birdwatching has become a life-changing passion for many, and it’s fascinating to hear personal stories of how it can transform one's perspective on the world. If you’re interested in learning more about bird migration and conservation efforts, a great resource is teampiersma.org which is dedicated to supporting these efforts. Birds, like the migrating species that travel long distances, remind us of the interconnectedness of our world and the importance of preserving our natural environment. This connection between nature and conservation efforts can have a lasting impact on both personal and collective efforts to protect our planet.
why did i start listening to this podcast so late?😂 it is awesome, thanks!
- This show is everything that a podcast should be!
Fun, educational and pleasant to the ear. Great work!