Best Birds Podcasts (2025)

1
Ep. 682 - Birds Declines Continue, But What About Ducks? 1:05:27

7h ago1:05:27

1:05:27

Since 1970, North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds, and while ducks and geese have long been a bright spot, their lights are dimming. On this co-branded episode, join Ramsey Russell of "It's Duck Season Somewhere," as he interviews Dr. Mike Brasher and breaks down bird declines by major groupings and explains why birds are disappearing—some …

1
Vivaldi's Goldfinch 1:43

10h ago1:43

1:43

Bird song caught the ear of Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi. And he even named a 1729 flute concerto for a bird — the goldfinch. The source of inspiration for Vivaldi's Goldfinch concerto, or Il Gardellino, was the European Goldfinch, a tiny bird found throughout much of Europe, where it frequents gardens and roadsides. No wonder Vivaldi found the…

1
Out of the ashes... 5:11

13h ago5:11

5:11

Laura thinks the sudden surge in Red-headed Woodpeckers in her neck of the woods may be due to emerald ash borer and the sudden surge in dead ash trees.

1
Quirky Words for Gray Birds 1:45

1d ago1:45

1:45

Many birds have common names that refer to their dominant body color, like the Gray Catbird. Yet some species of gray birds received more colorful descriptors than others. Silvered, plumbeous, glaucous, and slate are just some of the bird world’s many shades of gray! More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our wee…

1
#1,040 June 1, 2025 30:00

2d ago30:00

30:00

On our latest show: living legend author and tour guide Peter Alden; audio postcards from Texas and Vermont; and what might be the world's most beautiful bird.By Ray Brown's Talkin' Birds

1
A Pigeon’s Eye View 1:38

2d ago1:38

1:38

In 1907, a German pharmacist named Julius Neubronner invented the pigeon camera. It was a small camera strapped to a pigeon’s breast — like a photographic baby-bjorn. A timer let the camera take multiple snapshots throughout the bird’s flight. This allowed for some of the earliest aerial photography, and even seemed promising for military reconnais…

1
RELOADED EP134 | Retriever Training & Tools w/ Tom Dokken 30:24

3d ago30:24

30:24

Tom Dokken, owner of Dokken’s Oak Ridge Kennels, joins the DU Podcast to talk about exciting new products from SportDOG Brand. Dokken brings more than 45 years of retriever training experience to the podcast and he discusses the changes in training over that span. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast Send feedback: [email protected]…

1
Bonding with Mom Through Birding 1:45

3d ago1:45

1:45

In this episode, environmental educator and nature enthusiast Nicole Jackson tells the story of an unexpected backyard birding experience when she visited her mom in 2021. When she arrived, Nicole saw typical birds such as robins and jays, but then saw something less common: a brightly colored Blackburnian Warbler! Nicole’s mom asked what she was l…

1
How to Identify Birds in the Field 45:21

4d ago45:21

45:21

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 identi…

1
Migration Stories: The House Sparrow 1:40

4d ago1:40

1:40

Deja Perkins, an urban ecologist and co-organizer of Black Birders Week, remembers seeing House Sparrows all over Chicago as a kid. These little brown birds are native to Eurasia and North Africa, but were forced to adapt to many places around the world where they were introduced. Though many people consider House Sparrows to be urban pests, Deja a…

1
Hey! My eyes are up here! 6:28

5d ago6:28

6:28

In many ways birds are superior to us humans, and also luckier. This is exactly the kind of program that has inspired some people to call Laura the "Dr. Ruth of Ornithology." The accompanying blog post has a lot of worthwhile photos listeners might want to see.

1
Ep. 681 - History of the Labrador (Part 1 of 3): Origins 37:35

5d ago37:35

37:35

In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host Nathan Ratchford and co-host John Gordon welcome special guest Craig Koshyk, a passionate dog historian, photographer, and author of Pointing Dogs, Volume One: The Continentals. Together, they trace the early origins of the Labrador Retriever—from the rugged coastlines of Newfoundland to its jour…

1
09-22: This Month in Birding - May 2025 59:03

5d ago59:03

59:03

The end of May means, for many of us, the end of spring. But before this magical month is over we bring a great panel of birdy friends together to talk about some of the interesting bird news that has come across our vitual desks. Welcome Stephanie Beilke, Tim Healy, and Brodie Cass Talbott to talk birding without tech, warbler foraging strategies …

1
In Defense of Big Black Birds 1:45

5d ago1:45

1:45

Grackles, vultures, and other big black birds are often disparaged by people who’d rather they stay out of sight. But Marcus Rosten, an environmental educator and co-organizer of Black Birders Week, appreciates these birds for the important roles they play in nature and the ways their stories reflect his own experience as a Black birder. This year,…

1
The Robin Rescue 1:40

6d ago1:40

1:40

When Adé Ben-Salahuddin stopped to help a trapped young bird on his way home from work, he found an unexpected source of help: an older Black woman walking by who had just the skills for the problem at hand. This year, Black Birders Week is celebrating miraculous shades of brown by highlighting the beauty and importance of sparrows while also drawi…

1
Ep. 680 - Keep Your Dog Hunt-Ready This Summer 34:10

7d ago34:10

34:10

Host John Gordon returns with a chance encounter turned memorable episode, featuring field trial trainer Hunter Hastings. Their story starts at a gas station in Crockett, Texas, where a shared love of retrievers sparked a connection. In this episode, they talk about off-season training—how to keep your retriever in shape, avoid heat stress, and sta…

1
Lessons From Mixed Flocks 1:39

7d ago1:39

1:39

There are many benefits for birds that form mixed flocks, from safety and survival to care and feeding. We can see the power of community through the actions of birds every day. And it’s time we took a note from their book. This year, Black Birders Week is celebrating miraculous shades of brown by highlighting the beauty and importance of sparrows …

1
Magnificent Frigatebird 8:16

8d ago8:16

8:16

This bird of machismo and contradiction keeps scientists guessing.

1
Witnessing Lifers While Honoring a Life Loss 1:45

8d ago1:45

1:45

In June 2024, environmental educator and co-organizer of Black Birders Week Dara Miles Wilson traveled to Camden, South Carolina to attend her cousin’s funeral. Despite the somber circumstances, two birds surprised her with unanticipated brightness. This year, Black Birders Week is celebrating miraculous shades of brown by highlighting the beauty a…

1
#1,039 May 25, 2025 30:00

9d ago30:00

30:00

On our latest show: Listener audio postcards from Florida, Massachusetts, and Ohio; plus, fascinating flamingo facts from the Talkin’ Birds Science Corner (new research from UC Berkeley).By Ray Brown's Talkin' Birds

1
Miraculous Shades of Brown 1:45

9d ago1:45

1:45

Sparrows are remarkable birds that come in a wide range of brown hues. Just as sparrows are frequently dismissed in favor of more "charismatic" species, Black birders have historically been underrepresented in conservation spaces. This year, Black Birders Week is celebrating miraculous shades of brown by highlighting the beauty and importance of sp…

1
RELOADED EP115 | Summer Retriever Training Focus 27:25

10d ago27:25

27:25

Host Chris Jennings is joined by Mike Stewart, owner of Wildrose Kennels to discuss retriever training during the peak of summer heat. Stewart brings to light several training, nutrition, and health tips to keep your retriever in shape and safe from heat stroke. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast Send feedback: [email protected]…

1
Make Your Cloud-watching More Like Bird-watching 1:41

10d ago1:41

1:41

When we watch birds in flight, they’re often seen against a backdrop of clouds. Clouds have many different types and are listed in the International Cloud Atlas. The asperitas cloud was first described by citizen-scientists and has now been incorporated into the official atlas. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe…

1
California Quail, Up and Running 1:45

11d ago1:45

1:45

The most distinctive characteristic of the California Quail is the black, forward-facing topknot that juts out from its forehead like a small flag. The California Quail – the state bird of California – builds its nest right on the ground. Almost immediately after hatching, the precocial chicks are up and running, following their parents to feed. Mo…

1
Ep. 679 - Retriever Safety Pt 2: Cold-Weather and Hunting Season 38:19

12d ago38:19

38:19

Hosts Dr. Jerad Henson and Nathan Ratchford welcome back Dr. Jason Robinson for a deep dive into cold-weather safety during hunting season. This Ducks Unlimited Podcast episode focuses on how to prevent hypothermia, recognize cold-related injuries like limber tail, and keep your retriever warm, conditioned, and ready in the blind all season long. L…

1
09-21: The Biggest Week in American Birding Podcast Quiz Show! 1:01:10

12d ago1:01:10

1:01:10

The 2025 Biggest Week in American Birding is in the books and the American Birding Podcast was there to host a fun little game with a few friends. Test your luck with our birdy quiz featuring a quartet of Biggest Week birders and guides along with special guests Wendell Troutner and Tyler Ficker! We've got modified anagrams, Star Wars crossovers, a…

1
The Skatebirder 1:44

12d ago1:44

1:44

Dave Mull is not your typical birder — he's a professional skateboarder, or a “skatebirder” as he puts it. He brings binoculars with him when he skateboards and doesn’t mind putting his board down to check out a bird. But the birds aren't really a distraction for Dave. Tuning into his surroundings, including the birds, helps him stay in the zone an…

1
Magnificent Frigatebird! 5:53

13d ago5:53

5:53

Laura doesn't like the idea of bucket lists, but she does have a wish list.

1
Rivers of Birds 1:35

13d ago1:35

1:35

One of the world champions of long-distance migration is the Arctic Tern. Arctic Terns nest across the far northern reaches of the continent during our summer, then fly south to Antarctica for the rest of the year. Some will circle the polar ice-pack before heading north again, completing a total round trip of more than 50,000 miles. Every year. Mo…

1
Ep. 678 - Chesapeake Bay Retriever: History, Training, and Companionship 34:46

14d ago34:46

34:46

In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, host John Gordon is joined by Paul McKinnon from Prince Edward Island to dive into the profile of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Paul shares his experiences training his dog, Jaxie. The conversation highlights the bond between a handler and their dog, the importance of solid training, and the joy of le…

1
Migrations: Watching Migration from the Empire State Building 1:45

14d ago1:45

1:45

As the sun sets over New York City, author Helen Macdonald takes in the wonders of spring migration from the top of the Empire State Building. She watches a long procession of songbirds pass overhead, but her joy is dampened when she notices some of the birds circling endlessly around the building’s brilliant beacon. Turning off the blaring lights …

1
Orchard Orioles Band Together 1:45

15d ago1:45

1:45

Orchard orioles are social birds that build their nests in large trees among streambanks and wetlands. The males have chestnut-colored breasts and black backs and wings, while females and immature birds are mostly yellow. After the males fly south in late July and early August, the young birds and females stay behind to forage for late summer berri…

1
#1,038 May 18, 2025 30:00

16d ago30:00

30:00

On our latest show: An audio postcard from South Australia; hummingbird feeder advice from Cape Cod (via Mike O’Connor); and the joys of cemetery birding with Danielle Belleny.By Ray Brown

1
Swainson's Warbler 1:45

16d ago1:45

1:45

The Swainson's Warbler is one of North America's shyest birds. These birds forage quietly on the ground, flipping over leaves to expose and capture insects. They scurry away, calling in alarm when big-footed humans invade their shadowy habitat. On their wintering grounds, in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, they're even harder to find, because they d…

1
RELOADED EP109 | Off Season Duck & Goose Calling 20:22

17d ago20:22

20:22

Jay Anglin joins host Chris Jennings to discuss a few calling tips for the summer, including tuning and cleaning your calls. Summer is the ideal time to get your calls into working order and Anglin even discusses shipping calls back to call makers for tuning and replacement parts. You want to address any calling issue now, rather than wait until op…

1
Robins Raise a Brood in a Hurry 1:45

17d ago1:45

1:45

When it comes to raising a family, American Robins have got it down. Approximately eight days after the male and female mate, the female builds the nest. A few days later, she lays eggs. She sits on the eggs for 18 hours a day, and the eggs hatch in about three weeks. Both parents feed the nestlings until they fledge, then Mom and Dad feed them for…

1
Bird Song ID 1:42

18d ago1:42

1:42

Roger Tory Peterson, the best known American figure of 20th Century birdwatching, offered help on birding by ear. Whenever he could, he provided a catchphrase to identify a bird's song. "Witchety-witchety-witchety" captures the song of this Common Yellowthroat. The California Quail seems to say, "Chicago, Chicago, Chicago." Go on a field trip with …

1
Ep. 677 - Retriever Safety Pt 1: Summer Training 45:43

19d ago45:43

45:43

Hosts Dr. Jerad Henson and Nathan Ratchford sit down with veterinarian and hunter Dr. Jason Robinson for a timely conversation on summer training safety. This Ducks Unlimited Podcast episode covers essential precautions for keeping your retriever healthy in the heat, including hydration, water quality, and common warm-weather hazards. Listen now: w…

1
09-20: Random Birds, May 2025, with Ted Floyd 1:00:47

19d ago1:00:47

1:00:47

Nate is in Ohio for the Biggest Week, but hew had time to grab Birding editor Ted Floyd for another Random Birds before he headed off. Ted and Nate trust the random number generator to turn up some exciting birds for discussion including jaegers, pelicans, and shorebirds. Subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your…

1
How to Be a Better Wildlife Photographer 1:45

19d ago1:45

1:45

Conservation photographer Noppadol Paothong says that if you go out to take pictures of birds, you shouldn’t just aim to take an eye-catching photo. He spends long hours in photo blinds, often watching and studying birds rather than photographing them. He has become deeply familiar with some populations of sage-grouse, to the point that he can reco…

1
High Island – Migration on the Gulf 1:45

20d ago1:45

1:45

If you're near High Island, Texas in the spring, you might witness a "fallout," one of the great spectacles of bird migration. Thousands of birds, including Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, orioles, Painted Buntings, and warblers of all kinds, as well as tanagers and Indigo Buntings, like this one, drop from the sky. They've just flown non-stop across the …

1
Wealth 6:26

21d ago6:26

6:26

Laura feels wealthy in ways Elon Musk or Donald Trump never will.

1
Ep. 676 - Golden Retrievers: Hunting Heritage and Heart 34:38

21d ago34:38

34:38

In this episode of the Ducks Unlimited Podcast, host John Gordon continues his breed profile series with a deep dive into the Golden Retriever. He shares heartfelt stories about his own dog, Buster—a loyal companion for over three years—and introduces special guest Ann Everett, an expert recommended by friend and DU contributor Mark Atwater. Togeth…

1
Warbler Migration in Ohio with Kenn Kaufman 1:45

21d ago1:45

1:45

Every spring in Northwest Ohio, the shores of Lake Erie transform into a birder’s paradise. Birder and author Kenn Kaufman, who lives in this area, says that of the many species that migrate through here, one group of vibrant, vivacious songbirds stands out from the rest: warblers. Trees leaf out later in the season along the lakeshore, making the …

1
The Dry Tortugas! 6:59

22d ago6:59

6:59

Laura's trip to Florida's Dry Tortugas was a wonderful success.

1
Nightjars, Nighthawks, and Other Goatsuckers 58:26

22d ago58:26

58:26

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 thei…

1
American Herring Gull 1:45

22d ago1:45

1:45

With white and grey feathers, a piercing stare, and noisy screams, the American Herring Gull is a “seagull” that's well adapted to land-locked living. These impressive, raucous birds are abundant over large swaths of North American from Alaska to Puerto Rico. Whether they’re squabbling over table scraps at an inland landfill or scarfing down french…

1
#1,037 May 11, 2025 30:00

23d ago30:00

30:00

On our latest show: Danae Wolfe offers tips on bringing nature into your yard; Mike O’Connor exposes the problems with puddles; and we listen to an audio postcsrd from a class of young birders in Iowa.By Ray Brown's Talkin' Birds

1
Mother Birds 1:31

23d ago1:31

1:31

Avian motherhood is a mixed bag. Peregrine Falcon mothers share duties fairly equally with Peregrine dads. At the other end of the spectrum is the female hummingbird, which usually carries the entire burden of nesting, incubating, and tending the young. And then, there's the female Western Sandpiper: she usually leaves the family just a few days af…

1
RELOADED EP96 | Off Season Shotgunning w/ Phil Bourjaily Part 2 41:20

24d ago41:20

41:20

Phil Bourjaily, DU Magazine shotgunning columnist joins host Chris Jennings for another in-depth conversation on what waterfowlers should be doing in the off-season to prepare for the coming season. Bourjaily provides great detail on 10 additional tactics hunters can use to improve their shotgunning. Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcast Send feedbac…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Birds Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide