10-14: How to be Hawky with Janet Ng
The American Birding Podcast
The wide open spaces of the North American west are frequently spotted with signs of human industrial energy production. Oil and gas wells, massive wind turbines, and the like are impossible to miss and impact, occasionally significantly, the birds that live in these vast prairie ecosystems. studies the effects of this industrial incursion into these wild places in the southern Canadian plains, and works with various partners to keep landscapes “hawky”. Also, Peter Pyle has some interesting thoughts on in the most recent issue of Birding Subscribe to the podcast at , , or...
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10-13: Random Birds, April 2026, with Ted Floyd
The American Birding Podcast
Host Nate Swick leans once again on Birding magazine editor Ted Floyd for another Random Birds discussion. The Random Number Generator has a certain late winter/early spring bias with warblers and gulls and warblers and gulls on the agenda. Subscribe to the podcast at , , or wherever you get your podcasts and please leave a rating or a review if you are so inclined! We appreciate it! This episode is brought to you by .
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10-12: This Month in Birding - March 2026
The American Birding Podcast
They say March comes in like a lion and out like an American Birding Podcast This Month in Birding episode, and this month panel is an exceptional one to end a month with. Host Nate Swick is joined by Stephanie Beilke, Andres Jimenez, and Ryan Mandelbaum for a fun and birdy conversation covering Airtags on birds, the most bouba and kiki species, and Tom Johnson's last piece of amazing bird science. Links to topics covered in this episode: Subscribe to the podcast at , , or wherever you get your podcasts and please leave a rating or a review if you are so inclined! We...
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10-11: The Feather Wars with James H. McCommons
The American Birding Podcast
The early years of bird conservation in North America, is a fascinating period, featuring colorful characters and countless battles fought in the pages of newspapers and magazines regarding the need for conserving the continent's wildlife. It is a history thoroughly recounted in the book by James H. McCommons. The author joins the American Birding Podcast to talk about the creation of the bird conservation movement that not only saved a number of species from extinction, but provides the basis of our the conservation landscape we enjoy today. Registration is open for the ABA's...
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10-10: Bird Collections, From the Inside, with Nick Mason
The American Birding Podcast
The state of Louisiana hosts one of the world’s largest repositories of ornithological knowledge, the . With nearly 200,000 bird specimens, including important collections from the tropical Americas, this institution informs a lot of what we know about bird taxonomy in this hemisphere. Dr Nick Mason is the curator of that collection, and he joins us to talk about the fascinating work done at this place and what museums are doing to make sure bird science stays on a sound footing into the future. Also, the is breaking ground in online phenology... sort of. Subscribe to the...
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10-09: World Without Birds with Nick Lund
The American Birding Podcast
The specter of a is certainly a sobering one, but one that could, though, inspire new birders and environmentalists to support the efforts needed to make sure that world is never a reality. In Nick Lund's latest book aimed at younger readers, he tells the stories of birds made extinct by human hands and also those of birds that have been rescued from that fate. Nick and Nate also tell stories of birds seen in unlikely places, and the birding goals of a marathoner in a wide-ranging discussion. Also, a new study about has made it to The Today Show! Subscribe to the podcast...
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10-08: This Month in Birding - February 2026
The American Birding Podcast
February is the shortest month, but thankfully our end of the month roundtable discussion is long on fun and insight. This month's This Month in Birding brings together , Mikko Jimenez, and to discuss birds and plants, whether birds can be illegal immigrants, and our favorite avian romantic gestures. Plus, in a TMIB first, Mikko brings his own science to the discussion. Links to articles discussed in this episode: Subscribe to the podcast at , , or wherever you get your podcasts and please leave a rating or a review if you are so inclined! We appreciate it!
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10-07: The Nature of Nutcrackers with Peri Sasnett
The American Birding Podcast
One of the most iconic and beloved birds of the North American west is the Clark’s Nutcracker, the highlight of anyone’s trip to the high country. It will come as no surprise to anyone that the bird’s relationship to the ecosystem goes beyond begging for trail mix from hikers, a fascinating symbiosis that was recently the topic of , whose host, Peri Sasnett, joins us to talk nutcrackers and conservation. This interview previously ran in August 2022. Also, Nate is keynoting at the this summer! Subscribe to the podcast at , , or wherever you get your podcasts and...
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10-06: How to Make a Meadowlark with Johanna Beam
The American Birding Podcast
In 2023, ABA Area birders welcomed Chihuahuan Meadowlark to the official ABA Checklist, and subsequently to many life lists. Previously considered a distinct subspecies of Eastern Meadowlark, the split was the result of work done by while she was an undergraduate researcher. Informed by her background as a birder, Johanna used museum specimens, audio recordings, and genetic tools to inform the eventual split. She joins host Nate Swick to talk about how it's done, and what other potential new species might be out there. Also, the ABA announced our . We hope to see you out there!...
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10-05: Random Birds, February 2026, with Ted Floyd
The American Birding Podcast
Birding editor Ted Floyd returns for another episode of random birds. This time around, the random number generator wants passerines, and Ted and host Nate Swick must oblige. We cover the ABA's Bird of the Year for 2026, and a number of other grassland species. Also, the suggests a new direction for the ABA Checklist, at least partially. Subscribe to the podcast at , , or wherever you get your podcasts and please leave a rating or a review if you are so inclined! We appreciate it!
info_outlineThe last Thursday of the month means it's time for This Month in Birding, our round table discussion with birding friends about news in birding and ornithology. This week we welcome Jennie Duberstein, Nick Lund, and Brodie Cass Talbott to discuss casual eBirding, hybrid Jays, and what bird to patronize on Halloween night.
Links to articles discussed in this episode:
The Unexpected Profundity of a Movie About Bird-Watching
The hunt for the last great auks: ancient DNA resolves a 180-year-old mystery
Subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and please leave a rating or a review if you are so inclined! We appreciate it!