We caught up with our friend Surya Ramachandran: Indian naturalist, author, big-cat tracker, and awesome guy. Highlights of our chat include: Home patch leopards: Surya’s Nilgiri backyard hosts a multigenerational family of both black and rosetted leopards that he's watched closely for years Snow-leopard obsession: why eight straight winters in Lad…

Our travels have recently taken us across Costa Rica, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, and Tanzania — so it's high time for a catch-up! In this episode, George, Alvaro, and Mollee swap stories from the field, from color-changing marlins to Galápagos rail rediscoveries to grizzly bear rewilding efforts. We also talk about how birds pick up dozens of local na…

Our travels have recently spanned Costa Rica, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, and Tanzania, so it's high time for a catch-up! We swap favorite moments from the field, talk birds with many names (hello, timberdoodles), and updates from our homes, too. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us a…

George and Alvaro have an evening chat about the evolution of field guides with notable quirks in a few editions, Alvaro discusses how he used location-based evidence to theorize about gull hybridization, and more. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at…

George and Alvaro took some time during their Subantarctic Islands cruise to chat with Mike Bell, ornithologist for the Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust. Make sure to check out their website for more information on all the conservation work they're doing! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bon…

We're catching up on our tales around the world and wondering...how close does birding get to a major sporting event? Join us in our usual banter. The book that Alvaro thinks of is called Owls of the Eastern Ice: A Quest to Find and Save the World's Largest Owl Have you seen a Nocturnal Curassow? Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter …

Welcome to our first episode covering our recent Subantarctic Islands cruise out of New Zealand. We're diving into the islands we visited, including Albatross Island and Pyramid Rock, and all about our travels on this world-class adventure. Check out the whole trip report here. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Pat…

Hey there, we're back! Listen to us catching up on our recent travels throughout Asia in India, Thailand, and Japan. Are you tempted to join us in India next year? Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for spo…

It's our final episode...but only for this season, don't worry 😉 We're chatting about birding festivals near and far, the multinational process of declaring a species extinct, and (literal) nightmares about birding tours. Don't miss out on: Alvaro's upcoming tours Hillstar's newest tours and pelagics Tours and articles on Nighthawk All the great co…

Jocotoco Conservation works in the field throughout Ecuador and the Galapagos to conserve birds, wildlife, and habitats. Today, George is digging into their efforts and goals. Learn more about Jocotoco Conservation here. Topics in this episode include: Discovery of the Jocotoco Antpitta: Jocotoco Conservation's origin story Saving Spectacled Bears:…

Welcome to our 100th episode! We're celebrating by chatting about some listener favorites - and ours! - as well as all that's changed in the birding world since we started Life List. Thanks for being a part of our podcast family! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your…

This week, we're not just talking about Amar's highly anticipated book, The Gull Guide—we're chatting about the discoveries and controversies that led to what we currently know about gulls, the unknowns that still exist, and how to fall in love with these mysteries birds along the way. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining…

Alright, we're back! George and Alvaro talk about unusual sightings and behaviors they've seen so far this fall along with takeaways from afar from the AOS conference. If you haven't already, be sure to read The trials of John P. McCown by Steve Hampton. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. …

We're continuing conversations with our listeners on the air as we share updates from our home fronts. We have lots of links to share this week! Check out Ed Yong's account of his recent pelagic experience with Alvaro's Adventures in his newsletter While you're at it, make sure to read An Immense World by Ed Yong We get tons of questions about ther…

George is just back from the Pantanal, and today, we're chatting about that. But first... The oldest photo in eBird? Looks like it's this (now extinct) Laughing Owl! And check out this illustration of the species on Birds of the World (sign-in required). George has two trip reports from Brazil. Check out Safari Brazil: The Pantanal and Brazil's Atl…

We're back with a listener question episode! We mention Project Phoenix—check out the details here. Subscribe to our newsletter and send us your questions below ⬇️⬇️ Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for s…

This week, we're joined by Lillian Stokes and Matt Young to share in the laughs, research, and stories behind their jam-packed new book, The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada. Learn more and preorder it here before the book is published on September 17! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreo…

We're three busy birders this week with tales ranging from the backyard to the wonders of the deep oceans. Grab a drink and enjoy this classic Life List chat with us—tangents and all. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to…

Phil's been there, done that, and has the stories to prove it. This week we chat about his recent oceanic expeditions and upcoming book. Have a taste of western Australia and the Lesser Sundas via Phil's recent eBird trip report Get notifications for Habitats of North America, coming out this winter Order Habitats of the World: A Field Guide for Bi…

Holly and Billi have spanned continents in their incredible career feats. Today, we're chatting about the challenges and adventures that they've had along the way. Meet Holly via Birds Caribbean and Instagram Meet Billi via Biodiversity Research Institute and Instagram Check out the beautiful Black Bee-eater that we talk about in the episode And ye…

Here's a story with some drama, discovery, and mysteries yet unsolved! Hear all about the background of discovering the Andean Storm-Petrel (Oceanites barrosi), straight from the source! Here's the paper that was published: Resolving the conflictive phylogenetic relationships of Oceanites (Oceanitidae: Procellariiformes) with the description of a n…

Jason and Dexter bring all the joy this week! Check out Jason and Dexter on Instagram Learn about the In Color Birding Club... And the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin Don't forget to listen to the Bird Joy Podcast P.S. Jason is co-leading a Hillstar Nature tour in Puerto Rico in 2025! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining …

This is a beers-after-hours-type conversation with Ken Behrens: author, bird and nature guide, and co-host of Naturally Adventurous Podcast. We chat about the ups and downs of summertime birding, travel, and food Ken misses from his old home in Madagascar. Please let us know: What do you think about the American Birding Association's Listing Areas …

This episode is classic Life List—full of facts and stories from our homes and the field. Check out this 79-year-old box turtle monitored in PA! Get digestible highlights of the AOS supplement in ABA's Checklist Redux 2024. Want more tiger sharks? Tooth and Claw podcast has a fascinating tiger shark episode. Read the paper: Oceanic seabirds chase t…

A trip to Alaska in the summer for rare and vagrant birds is exhilarating...and a logistical feat! George and Alvaro recap their June Alaskan travels from their point of view as guides and share the magic they found along the way. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share you…

Melissa does it all, and today, we're chatting about it! Check out Melissa's links: Dare to Bird by Melissa Hafting Melissa's blog BC Rare Bird Alert BC Young Birders Rare Bird Alert documentary Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com…

We're back to catch up on news in the birding world and our latest stories. Here are a few links we reference in this episode: Diving into Cockney Rhyming Slang is totally worth your time Here's a beautiful tribute from Birds Caribbean about Orlando Garrido Keep an eye on our socials for links to taxonomy updates as we get them! Get more Life list …

In our season finale, we pay tribute to Tom Johnson, a distinguished bird expert and an exceptional human being, who passed away unexpectedly in 2023. Tom was a guiding light in the birding community, known for his profound knowledge, infectious enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication to bird conservation and science. This episode features an intervi…

We've got lots to chit-chat about this week—birds, butterflies, land, and more! We talk about Harvesters—learn about these butterflies here and their diets here. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for spons…

Kate is a marine biologist and pelagic expert who has stories and facts to fill a whole voyage. Join us as we delve into the mesmerizing world of pelagic birds and wildlife, uncovering the secrets of the high seas! Check out Seabirding Pelagics with Kate when you're ready for an offshore adventure. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newslette…

A few weeks ago we sat down to chat about Cuba, earthquakes, and eclipses. We always stay busy! We mention birding in Bhutan; if you want to know more about what it's like, check out this episode from season two. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at l…

The Birds and Audubon Missed comes out this week. Listen as George and Alvaro reminisce and muse the worlds of ornithology and birding with Kenn—perhaps as you enjoy spring migration in your neck of the woods! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at life…

Adam has birded the places people dream of all around the world, and recently returned from his most recent adventures in the primary forests of the Darien Gap. We're chatting birds, mammals, herps, and more! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifel…

George is sharing a behind-the-scenes look at his scouting trip in northern India from January 2024. Want to hear the rest of the story? Check us out on Patreon! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for spons…

There's been some exciting news in the birding world, and we have thoughts — and some inside scoop! Today, we're talking about ABA Checklist updates and major discoveries in bird evaluation and taxonomy. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpo…

The finch guru is with us today! We're talking speciation, food source specialization, mimicry, and more. Yep, this episode is meaty. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to k…

We're chit-chatting about ABA, natural disasters on birding tours, and other news from our backyards. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to know more about us? Check out Geo…

In North America, winter lingers up north while migration and breeding season rev up in the south. Today, we're chatting about recent stories from the field and a few from the archives. Check out lekking Sharp-tailed Grouse here. Check out Cuba: An American History here. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon fo…

We want you to hear just how cool and fascinating the Subantarctic Islands islands are. Join us there in December? [Learn more here.] Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to k…

Alvaro is here today with a deep dive on supergenes and their phenotypic expressions in birds. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to know more about us? Check out George's c…

A plea from your producer: Any tips on dealing with paper wasps?! But really, I've got it under control, I think... Holly returns to the podcast this week as we catch up on Neotropic birding and more. Read about Mollee's full Harpy Eagle experience here. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. …

Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to know more about us? Check out George's company, Hillstar Nature; Alvaro's company, Alvaro's Adventures, and Mollee's company, Nighthawk…

Hey, hey. The American Ornithological Society has announced the 2024 proposals affecting taxonomy and species. Here's what we think about them! And have you heard about the drama around an individual seeing 10,000 bird species for the first time? Congrats, Peter Kaestner! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon f…

We have lots to share this time! Subscribe to our shiny newsletter Find us on Patreon Check out these least bittern x-rays And visit our tour websites to join us in the field! Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining…

George interviews friends Andrea and Josh about gorillas, tick-borne diseases and prevention, and bird and wildlife photography. More from Andrea and Josh: About the American Lyme Disease Foundation The Unbiased Science Podcast Check out Josh's photography Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponso…

We're chatting about New Year birding, winter sea watching and pelagics, and the evolution of communication platforms for birders. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us an…

We're back for season four, and we have lots to catch up on! Join us as we chat about recent travels, Christmas Bird Counts, and other exciting winter birding. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for…

George is bringing you a set of interviews with part of the fall crew at Cape May Bird Observatory. Enjoy these glimpses into life at the counting sites with Martina Nordstrand, Gautam Apte, and Aidan Place! Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Get more Life list by subscribi…

Have you heard the news? We get the inside scoop on the American Ornithological Society's decision to change all English bird names currently named after people within its geographic jurisdiction. We reference the AOS's decision and documentation and Reflections of a Native birder: The one Indian killer bird name I really have trouble with by Steph…

We recorded this episode just before the American Ornithological Society announced plans to change bird species named after people, but it was already on our minds. Join us as we discuss fall birding on both sides of the US, bird club name changes, pawpaw trees, and more. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com Thanks to Kowa O…