BirdNote

BirdNote strives to transport listeners out of the daily grind and into the natural world with outstanding audio programming and online content. The stories we tell are rich in sound, imagery, and information—connecting the ways and needs of birds to the lives of listeners.

Articles by BirdNote

Hummingbird Hearts Beat 10 Times Faster Than Yours
November 04, 2021 — Hummers take the record, but all birds have super-charged hearts to match their high-energy lifestyles.
Podcast
Grebes Like Their Meals with a Side of Feathers—Here's Why
January 25, 2021 — Eating (and spitting up) their own plumes helps these diving birds to safely digest brine shrimp exoskeletons and other rigid foods.
Podcast
Blackbirds Are Built For a Distinctive Feeding Style Known as ‘Gaping’
July 27, 2020 — Powerful gapers have stronger muscles for opening the bill than for closing it—perfect for prying objects open to reveal the morsels inside.
Podcast
Do You Know the West's Two Phoebes?
July 20, 2020 — Black and Say's Phoebes share much of the same territory, but they prefer very different habitats.
News
Hear the Persistent, Buzzy Song of the Savannah Sparrow
July 10, 2020 — To ID this understated brown bird, look for a yellow eyebrow stripe and listen for its subtle trilling.
Podcast
For Male Cardinals, the Redder the Better
June 22, 2020 — Feather brightness may indicate superior genes in species that sport crimson feathers.
Podcast
The Gorgeous Scarlet Tanager Is a Delightful Summer Treat
June 16, 2020 — Hiding high up in the canopy of eastern forests, these dazzling birds can be surprisingly tough to spot.
Podcast
The American Robin Hasn't Always Gotten the Worm
May 05, 2020 — Long ago, glaciers wiped out earthworms across the northern U.S.—until new ones arrived with European travelers.
Podcast
Ospreys, Like Skateboarders, Favor One Foot Over the Other
April 27, 2020 — The way these fish-eating raptors carry their prey suggests their brains have evolved to divvy up complex tasks.
Podcast
Immerse Yourself In These Peaceful, Nature-Rich Sound Recordings
March 18, 2020 — Created by an acoustic ecologist, the place-based soundscapes transport listeners across the globe.
Podcast