Episode 79: Whatever Floatz your Hoatz(in): The Farting, Fermenting Hoatzin!

Episode 83: Round Robin Round 2: The European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

Robin Returns! In this listener suggested episode from across the pond, Dr. John talks about the European Robin. Despite the similar name, its actually not related to the American Robin at all! Learn all about the life history of the European Robin such as where their preferred habitat and nesting sites are, unique foraging strategies, and their different songs and calls. Also, Dr. John dives deep into the evolutionary history of robins and explores how their population numbers are doing. Another rockin' robin episode!  . Intro music by Ricky Pistone and outro music by The Sidewalk Slammers . All bird sounds are from Xeno-Canto.org . Intro song: Lars Edenius  . Example song by Lars Edenius  . Male song by Joao Ferreira Tomas  . Autumn song by Shaun Micklewright  . Tick call by Manuel Grosselet  . Alarm call by David Darrell-Lambert

Episode 82: Ospreys, OBX, and Children's Books: Interview with author Adrienne Palma on her book Oakley The Osprey

Kid friendly episode! Dr. John and nature/children's book author Adrienne Palma discuss her book Oakley The Osprey which is packed full of fun Osprey facts and amazing illustrations. Also, the book is set in the Outer Banks where Adrienne lives and Dr. John grew up as a kid- allowing them both to nostalgically talk about the beautiful OBX, how its featured in the books, and the wildlife (avian and otherwise!) found there. They also discuss the importance of teaching kids about nature and the great vehicle books are to educate the next generation on the animals we love. Baby Bo makes an appearance on this episode!  . Check out all Adrienne's books at https://www.adriennepalma.com/ . Shout out also to illustrator of Oakley the Osprey Amber Rae Malott! Check her out at https://amberraewatercolor.com/pages/about

Episode 81: Loosey Goosey (Barnacle Goose)

HONK! In this listener suggested episode, Dr. John covers his first species of the family Anseriformes (Ducks, Geese, Swans) by talking about the Arctic specialist the Barnacle Goose. This bird is super interesting- everything from its breeding strategy to avoid predators from the really interesting origin of its common name. Can you believe people used to think the Barnacle Goose was a crustacean and not a bird?! Learn how to identify this bird from its plumage and vocalizations. Also learn all about what it likes to eat and how it makes babies. Dr. John also explored the population status of the Barnacle Goose over time. Finally, we end the episode with good ole' evolutionary history and duck-dive into the origins of geese way back in the Cretaceous alongside dinosaurs.  . Intro music by Ricky Pistone and outro by the Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music . All Bird sounds are from Xeno-Canto.org . Intro call by David Darrel-Lambert . Yapping calls by Lars Edenius . Type A Call by Petter Westberg . Type B call by Patrik Aberg . Cacophony of Barnacle Geese by Hans Norelius

Episode 80: Oh my Starling, Clementine (European Starling)

Listeners give this episode 5/5 Starlings! Love them or hate them, European Starlings are here to stay in their introduced range across every continent except Antarctica. Even though they eat crops, crash planes, and evict native birds from their nests these birds have some beautiful singing abilities, display an amazing flying pattern called murmurtions, and may be as smart as crows and ravens! Learn all about the European Starling with Dr. John.  . Thanks to Volume Book store in Buckhannon, West Virginia for producing this episode!  . Special thanks also to the book "Starlings: The Curious Odyssey of of a Most Hated Bird by Mike Stark for great background  research https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/bison-books/9781496242020/starlings/ . Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro Music by the Sidewalk Slammers . All bird songs are from xeno-canto.org . Opening call by Olivier Swift  . Starling song by Uku Paal  . Starling mimicking birds call by Paul Marvin  . Starling imitating siren call by Lee Alder  . Starling whistle song by Timo Schnabel  . Starling chatter by Barnard Collet  . Staring Chatter 2 by David Bissett

Episode 79: Whatever Floatz your Hoatz(in): The Farting, Fermenting Hoatzin!

The Hoatzin may stink but this episode doesn't! Join Dr. John as he talks about the incredible life history of this Amazon rainforest bird. This bird is truly unique- its the only bird that can fly, swim and climb. Its the only bird that's a foregut fermenter. And IT STINKS! Learn why this bird farts and burps so much, explore the biology behind its gut microbiome, and join it for its truly epic revolutionary journey that spans an ocean.  . PLUS! We are finally joined on the show by Baby Bo and Lauren! . Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers . All bird sounds are from xeno-canto.org . Opening Call by Carlos Delgado JUMABITA  Grunting Call by Rosendo Fraga  Pterodactyl sounds by Guy Kirwan