Roadrunners, Cuckoos, and Cold War Cartoons: A Chat with Jon Carter from the BTO

In this episode, we’re joined by Jon Carter, Media Manager at The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), to talk all things birds—and a bit of Looney Tunes! 🐦🎥

We dive into why Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote became a surprising cultural phenomenon in the Soviet Union during the Cold War, explore the fascinating connection between roadrunners and cuckoos, and debate whether the cartoon duo symbolizes the unattainable American Dream.

Plus, Jon shares how bird surveys like the BTO’s Garden BirdWatch and Nest Count Project play a vital role in tracking bird populations—and how you can get involved.

📢 Listen now and visit BTO’s Garden BirdWatch and Nest Count Project to make a difference for our feathered friends!

To get involved with the tracking of cuckoos specifically, click here:

https://www.bto.org/cuckoos