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Illustrator David Sibley and actor H. Jon Benjamin will face off in the bird illustration battle of the century during BirdNote's Year-end Celebration and Auction!
Over the years, BirdNote stories have captured hearts, sparked curiosity, and kept listeners coming back for more. We’ve rounded up a collection of fan-favorite episodes — from mesmerizing bird songs to unforgettable stories, these episodes showcase the magic of birds and the power of storytelling. Read on to listen, you might discover a new favorite!
Is that big black bird a crow or a raven?
Is that big black bird a crow or a raven? How can you tell? Ravens (seen right here) often travel in pairs, while crows (left) are seen in larger groups. Also, study the tail as the bird flies overhead. A crow's tail is shaped like a fan, while the raven's tail appears wedge-shaped or triangular. Another clue is to listen closely to the birds' calls. Crows give a cawing sound, but ravens produce a lower croaking sound.
"Ravens and Crows - Who's Who" is by far our most popular episode! You can even tune in to the video here.
From actor to tour guide to Duckmaster
Kenon Walker got one of the most unusual job offers you can get: be the Duckmaster of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. That means he would lead the hotel’s five ducks on a daily march to the fountain in the lobby, a bizarre and beloved tradition that draws visitors from all over. But when he was first offered the job, Kenon was hesitant to take it because all the previous Duckmasters he knew of were white. Or so he thought.
Clever birds outsmart scientists by helping each other
Tracking birds can be tricky — even with GPS technology. Around 70% of bird species are just too small to carry a GPS battery. But recently, Australian scientists developed GPS trackers that looked like little backpacks, weighed less than a gram, could charge wirelessly and could be quickly released with a magnet. When the researchers tested the trackers on Australian Magpies, though, the birds managed to pinpoint a tiny weak spot in the backpack and helped each other peck the trackers off. This showed evidence of altruism, a rare behavior among birds.
"All the elements of an excellent story. Educational with humor and fantastic ending. Makes one respect birds and their intelligence and altruism we are now realizing! Love me some BirdNote." -Rob W., TN
Master of the Air!
Although some of the Turkey Vulture's habits may evoke our disgust, these remarkable birds also inspire our awe. With wingspans approaching six feet, Turkey Vultures ride currents of air to make their spring and fall journeys, and to cover the miles of their home range in summer. Gliding on updrafts, or pushed along by weather fronts, Turkey Vultures rarely need to flap their wings more than ten times in a row. To rise above storms, they ride upward on thermals.
"I love Turkey Vultures and I call them sky sailors ever since I listened to the episode :)" -Keri L., PA
Tree Swallows Get Creative
In this episode of BirdNoir, the Private Eye sees some suspicious activity: a House Sparrow tries to steal a nestbox from Tree Swallows, but then flees the scene in terror. He stakes out the nestbox to see what the Tree Swallows are doing to keep intruders away.
"Anything with Bird Noir and Detective Michael Stein!" -Pat R., PA
Like a tiny knight in shining armor!
A hummingbird's brilliant throat feathers are called a "gorget," a term applied in past centuries to the metallic swatch protecting the throat of a knight-in-armor. Light waves reflect and refract off the throat feathers, creating color in the manner of sun glinting off a film of oil on water. The gorget of this Rufous Hummingbird is stunning!
"Loved learning the name of these special feather features." -Sue Ann B., TN
Keep watching the skies! (especially on April 1st)
Listen to "The Delirian - Believe it or not" here.
April 1 - High above the clouds caressing the upper reaches of the mountains soars the most majestic bird you are never likely to see or hear: the Semi-Fixed-Wing Silver Delirian. With a wingspan of some four yards, a sleek metallic silver body almost as long as its wingspan, and huge winged feet, the Delirian visits once a year - April 1st - during its annual migration from its home in Tierra del Loco, a remote island promontory rising out of the southern Pacific.
"Loved it. I laughed so hard. The sound effects were priceless, made with a didgeridoo or something similar." -Jenn D., WA
"It was a a spoof on a mythical bird called the “Delirian” - It made me laugh out loud and the sound effects were terrific! Thanks for the laughs!" -Ann H., ME
Birds at first light
Listen to "Chickadees at Dawn" here.
Chickadees and nuthatches swirl in small chattering flocks in the first light, to drink dew from the cups of leaves. Birds are gifted, as Henry Beston wrote, "with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth."
Why won't this turkey leave the car alone?
In this episode of BirdNoir, the private eye gets a call from H. Jon Benjamin about unusual Wild Turkey behavior. A male turkey (known as a “tom”) won’t leave his car alone. He keeps tapping his beak on the car. Then the turkey starts circling the house and looking in all the windows. The private eye reveals how things look from the turkey’s perspective, which points the way to a possible solution.
"I love BirdNoir and this episode was absolutely hilarious as well as educational, of course. Thanks so much for producing this show every day." -Margaret B., BC, Canada
Tubman used a bird call as a signal to freedom seekers
Harriet Tubman was a heroic abolitionist in the cause to end chattel slavery. She was also an excellent astronomer and naturalist — and an expert birder. She mastered the hoot of the Barred Owl, using it as a signal throughout the Underground Railroad to let freedom seekers know she had arrived.
"It is so hard to choose a favorite because there are so many wonderful episodes! I finally picked The Freedom Song because I love the connection of birds with one of our nation's most admirable heroes, Harriet Tubman. Thank you for the uplifting stories you share — please keep up the amazing work!" -Lindsay, WV
For a Pileated Woodpecker or a Northern Flicker, there’s nothing quite like a meal of ants.
Woodpeckers, as a group, eat far more ants than most other birds do. Many other vertebrates tend to avoid ants because of their stings or because of the noxious chemicals they contain, like formic acid. But woodpeckers just love them. A Pileated Woodpecker’s diet may include up to 50% ants!
"A delightful program that we are pleased to support. Thank you!" -Mark, AK
A familiar, peaceful connection to nature
Listen to "Message of the Mourning Dove" here.
The Mourning Dove was named for the male's gentle voice, which may sound forlorn. Mourning Doves are common in suburban environments and along roadsides, adapting well to human habitation. On a warm, lazy, summer afternoon, the dove's voice seems to speak more of serenity than sadness, and of a familiar, peaceful connection to nature.
"A group of mourning doves arriving each day at dusk" -Ed P., CA
One of the most evocative bird voices!
The call of the Common Loon brings to mind a summer visit to northern lakes. A "yodel" call is given by a male on his breeding territory. With his neck outstretched, the male waves his head from side to side, sending his eerie calls across forests and open water. The yodel entices females and asserts a claim of territory. Nothing common about this bird!
"This episode captures the mystery and aura of the wild places where loons breed and raise their young. I am brought back to the canoe trip in British Columbia where we heard them daily." -Shelley K., WA
For Seahawks Fans
Listen to "Seahawks Migrate East to Meadowlands in Winter" here.
A flock of fearless Seahawks is making an epic cross-continent journey to the meadowlands of New Jersey. To prepare for the great migration, they went up against mighty foes -- Panthers, Cardinals, Jaguars, Falcons, Colts, and Rams. They’ll face fierce competition from the Broncos for the turf. But the Seahawks are ready. They’ve risen above the ranks of common hawks, even above the Ospreys after which they’re named. These “Super Seahawks” are now among the mightiest of raptors! Their flock has even attracted a Golden Eagle named Tate!
It was when the Seattle Seahawks had gone far into the playoffs and you did a special episode about the “Seahawk” bird, its ravenous fans, etc. -Sue G., WA
A species that went extinct in the wild is reintroduced
Even if the name Spix's Macaw doesn’t ring a bell, you might recognize this bird. It’s Blu, from Rio, the animated film! Also known as the Little Blue Macaw, the species went extinct in the wild due to hunting for the pet trade, loss of habitat, and invasive species. However, scientists raised a captive population of Spix’s Macaws from the few remaining wild birds. In 2022, 52 of the captive-raised birds were released into the wild. Click here to listen to the Spanish version of the episode!
A Mythical Bird
The ancient Greeks and Egyptians described a mythical bird called the Phoenix, a magnificent creature that was a symbol of renewal and rebirth. According to legend, each Phoenix lived for 500 years, and only one Phoenix lived at a time. Just before its time was up, the Phoenix built a nest and set itself on fire. Then, a new Phoenix would rise from the ashes.
Using AI Tools for Birding
An online tool called BirdNET uses artificial intelligence to identify bird songs and calls. And Cornell’s well-known Merlin Bird ID app now has sound ID, too. It’s as simple as opening the app, choosing “Sound ID,” and hitting record. It can pick out multiple species in the same recording.
Simple songs we can imitate
Many bird songs are rich and complex, difficult to remember, and nearly impossible to imitate. Some species' songs, however, sound as if they could have been whistled by a human. These simpler, pure-noted songs are some of the most familiar and easy to remember. These songs -- including the "pee-a-wee" of this Eastern Wood-Pewee -- are a great place to start building your knowledge of birding by ear!
A dramatic and dangerous approach to courtship
Two eagles locking talons high above the ground might look like they’re risking injury, but it’s a normal courtship behavior called the “cartwheel display.” Fully entangled, the two birds begin spinning to the earth, disengaging just before they smack the ground. Their clasp could last for hours. At last, the eagles unlock talons and fly off. Rival adults sometimes perform the same flight.
Language vs. Biology
The word “dove” might make you think of an elegant bird symbolizing peace, while the word “pigeon” might bring up images of rowdy flocks of city birds. But there’s no formal distinction between doves and pigeons, only a linguistic one. In many languages, the birds are one and the same. The dove and pigeon family includes some of the most beautiful birds in the world.
Want to hear more? Explore thousands of BirdNote stories and celebrate two decades of learning from birds. Listen now and search through our archives to find your favorite shows.
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Photo Credit: Lazuli Bunting © Becky Matsubara