The Science of Birds is a lighthearted exploration of bird biology. It's a fun resource for any birder or naturalist who wants to learn more about ornithology. Impress your birding friends at cocktail parties with all of your new bird knowledge! Hosted by Ivan Phillipsen, a professional birding guide and passionate naturalist with a PhD in Zoology.


The Science of Birds

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus)Asian Dowitcher sounds (Xeno Canto recordings <a href='https://xeno-canto.org/349045'>XC349045</a> and <a href='https://xeno-canto.org/806613'>XC806613</a>)<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

Random Bird Thursday: A Worm-slurping Mud-runner From Siberia

👕 <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/all-products'>Bird Merch</a> —  Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~In this episode—which is number 126—Ivan Phillipsen heads to the seashore to explore the iconic Herring Gulls whose calls define the soundscape of coasts across North America and Europe. Listeners meet not just one but two species: the American Herring Gull and the European Herring Gull, nearly identical in appearance but with a surprisingly twisty evolutionary backstory.Ivan breaks down what makes these gulls such compelling birds: their “menacing” expressions, complex vocal repertoire, opportunistic diets (including bags of Doritos), and clever foraging tricks like dropping clams from the air and tap-dancing for earthworms. He also looks at how these gulls live and raise their young—forming long-term pair bonds, nesting in dense gulleries, and fiercely defending their territories in ways that some unlucky humans have experienced up close.Once persecuted, then booming, and now declining in some regions, these birds tell a story that’s far more complicated than being “just seagulls.”Links of Interest<ul><li><a href='https://youtu.be/QXTBfyktHoY?si=stWcmeCDgyBajUSt'>A Herring Gull “foot pattering” on grass</a> [VIDEO]</li></ul><a href='https://www.scienceofbirds.com/podcast/herring-gulls-larus-smithsonianus-argentatus'>Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website</a><a href='https://earlham.edu/birding/'>Earlham College - A fantastic place to get an education, especially if you love birds</a> Bird Merch - <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/new-designs-november-25'>See the NEW shirt designs</a>!<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

Herring Gulls

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the White-thighed Hornbill (Bycanistes albotibialis)White-thighed Hornbill sounds (Xeno Canto recording <a href='https://xeno-canto.org/617118'>XC617118</a>)<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

Random Bird Thursday: A Species with an Executioner’s Axe for a Face

👕 <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/all-products'>Bird Merch</a> —  Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~This is Episode 125. Host Ivan Phillipsen takes listeners inside the amazing respiratory system of birds. He starts by grounding the topic in familiar territory—how mammal lungs work—before revealing how different the avian system really is. The episode walks through the unique division of labor between birds’ small, rigid lungs and their large air sacs, and explains the elegant, one-way flow of air that keeps oxygen constantly moving across gas exchange surfaces. The episode also looks back in time, exploring how this respiratory design first evolved. Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation of what’s happening inside every bird with each breath.<a href='https://www.scienceofbirds.com/podcast/how-birds-breathe-the-avian-respiratory-system'>Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website</a><a href='https://earlham.edu/birding/'>Earlham College - A fantastic place to get an education, especially if you love birds</a> Bird Merch - <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/new-designs-november-25'>See the NEW shirt designs</a>!<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

How Birds Breathe: The Avian Respiratory System

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the Little Woodpecker (Veniliornis passerinus)<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

Random Bird Thursday: A Sparrow-sized Drummer from the Neotropics

👕 <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/all-products'>Bird Merch</a> —  Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~This is Episode 124. Host Ivan Phillipsen takes you on a tour of Mimidae—the New World family that includes mockingbirds, thrashers, catbirds, and tremblers. He describes the key features of these songbirds and what sets them apart.Ivan explores the sounds that make this family famous: rich, extended songs, dazzling vocal control, and—for many species—impressive mimicry.You'll also learn about mimid diversity and evolution, from North American backyards to Caribbean islands and desert specialists of the Southwest, plus a look at conservation challenges facing some species.Links of Interest<ul><li><a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLvVT5uNb_M'>Northern Mockingbird Wing Flashing</a> [VIDEO]</li><li><a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRgvpjcSNcM'>Catbird singing</a> [VIDEO]</li></ul><a href='https://www.scienceofbirds.com/podcast/mockingbirds-and-thrashers-mimidae'>Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website</a><a href='https://earlham.edu/birding/'>Earlham College - A fantastic place to get an education, especially if you love birds</a> Bird Merch - <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/new-designs-november-25'>See the NEW shirt designs</a>!<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the Arabian Bustard (Aredotis arabs).<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

Random Bird Thursday: A Fatally Fearless Bird That Seems to Swallow Basketballs

👕 <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/all-products'>Bird Merch</a> —  Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~In Episode 123 Ivan Phillipsen explores the fascinating world of subspecies—the diversity that exists within bird species. Learn how these populations arise, why ornithologists sometimes struggle to define them, and what makes the concept so important for both science and conservation. From the record-breaking Island Thrush, once thought to have more subspecies than any other bird, to chickadees, sparrows, and hawks closer to home, Ivan shares examples that highlight just how complex and surprising intraspecific variation can be. Along the way, he touches on genetics, evolution, and the challenges of naming and classifying birds in a way that truly reflects reality. Whether you’re a birder, a naturalist, or just curious about how new species begin, this episode offers a look at the “gray zone” between populations and species—and why it matters for birding, science, and conservation.<a href='https://www.scienceofbirds.com/podcast/subspecies-in-birds'>Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website</a><a href='https://earlham.edu/birding/'>Earlham College - A fantastic place to get an education, especially if you love birds</a> Bird Merch - <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/new-designs-november-25'>See the NEW shirt designs</a>!<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

Bird Subspecies: Another Layer of Diversity

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus).<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

Random Bird Thursday: A Master of the Sky That Flies Fast and Far

👕 <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/all-products'>Bird Merch</a> —  Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~This is Episode 122. Host Ivan Phillipsen takes listeners into the vast sagebrush steppe of western North America and introduces the remarkable birds that call it home—the sage grouse. These birds are icons of the American West, tightly bound to a rugged ecosystem that covers nearly a third of the lower 48 states. Ivan explores how sage grouse have evolved to thrive on a diet of sagebrush—plants laced with bitter, toxic chemicals that most animals avoid. From their unusual digestive adaptations to their elaborate courtship displays, these birds reveal fascinating strategies for survival in a tough landscape. Listeners will learn about the two species of sage grouse, their distinctive appearances and behaviors, and the conservation challenges they face today.Links of Interest<ul><li><a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLnbiTkj1TQ&list=TLGGRDkC5zM42lkyNjA4MjAyNQ&ab_channel=BBC'>Body-popping sage grouse - Nature's Greatest Dancers</a> - BBC [VIDEO]</li></ul><a href='https://www.scienceofbirds.com/podcast/sage-grouse'>Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website</a><a href='https://earlham.edu/birding/'>Earlham College - A fantastic place to get an education, especially if you love birds</a> Bird Merch - <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/new-designs-november-25'>See the NEW shirt designs</a>!<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

Sage Grouse

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they certainly deserve some appreciation and attention. ⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the Streak-backed Oriole (Icterus pustulatus).<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

Random Bird Thursday: An Orange and Black Species With Females That Like to Sing

👕 <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/all-products'>Bird Merch</a> —  Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~This is Episode 121. In this unscripted “From the Field” episode, host Ivan Phillipsen takes listeners on an immersive, unscripted journey through his recent month-long travels in Japan. Splitting his time between scouting for a future birding tour and exploring for fun, Ivan revisits the country for the first time since spending a formative summer there as an 11-year-old. He reflects on Japan’s geography, climate, and rich biogeographic history, from its tectonic origins to its unique mix of endemic species, setting the stage for the birding adventures that unfold.Ivan’s travels span Tokyo’s green spaces, the slopes of Mount Fuji, the rice paddies and alps of central Honshu, and the wild northern landscapes of Hokkaido. Along the way, he shares encounters with both common and rare birds—species like Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Japanese Grosbeak, Masked Bunting, Narcissus Flycatcher, and the iconic Red-crowned Crane.<a href='https://www.scienceofbirds.com/podcast/from-the-field-birding-japan'>Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website</a><a href='https://earlham.edu/birding/'>Earlham College - A fantastic place to get an education, especially if you love birds</a> Bird Merch - <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/new-designs-november-25'>See the NEW shirt designs</a>!<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

From the Field: Japan

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the idea is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These are birds we might overlook, even though they deserve some appreciation and attention. SPOILER ALERT!The featured species in this episode is the White-whiskered Puffbird.<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

Random Bird Thursday: A Mostly Motionless Bird with Walrus Tusks

👕 <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/all-products'>Bird Merch</a> —  Get yourself some bird shirts!~~~In this episode—which is Number 120—Ivan answers questions sent in by listeners. So this is what we call an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode. The listeners who get to contribute questions for these Ask Me Anything episodes are members of the Science of Birds community on Patreon. There are several tiers of support that people can join, and at the Helpful Hornbill and Awesome Osprey level, one perk is getting to contribute questions for episodes like this one. So if you’d like to have Ivan answer your bird questions in a future episode, consider signing up on the <a href='https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds'>Patreon page</a>, and become a Helpful Hornbill or an Awesome Osprey. <a href='https://earlham.edu/birding/'>Earlham College - A fantastic place to get an education, especially if you love birds</a> Bird Merch - <a href='https://birdmerch.com/collections/new-designs-november-25'>See the NEW shirt designs</a>!<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/scienceofbirds">Support the show</a>

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#134

Random Bird Thursday: A Worm-slurping Mud-runner From Siberia

#133

Herring Gulls

#132

Random Bird Thursday: A Species with an Executioner’s Axe for a Face

#131

How Birds Breathe: The Avian Respiratory System

#130

Random Bird Thursday: A Sparrow-sized Drummer from the Neotropics

#129

Mockingbirds and Thrashers

#128

Random Bird Thursday: A Fatally Fearless Bird That Seems to Swallow Basketballs

#127

Bird Subspecies: Another Layer of Diversity

#126

Random Bird Thursday: A Master of the Sky That Flies Fast and Far

#125

Sage Grouse

#124

Random Bird Thursday: An Orange and Black Species With Females That Like to Sing

#123

From the Field: Japan

#122

Random Bird Thursday: A Mostly Motionless Bird with Walrus Tusks

#121

Ask Me Anything About Birds - Summer 2025