If you listen to Talkin' Birds, you probably already have an inkling that birding is good for the human brain. Well, here's scientific proof. #birds #birding #birdwatching #brainHealth

It can be confusing to sift through all the online resources for finding native plans. Here's a whole bunch of them on one webpage, courtesy of Homegrown National Park. #birds #gardening #NativePlants

On our latest show (#1,079 Mar. 1): Colorado Master Gardener Kaitlyn Parkins on gardening with native plants; Cape Cod’s Mike O’Connor on enhancing your backyard bird experience; and the unveiling of our Name the Talkin’ Birds Garden Frog contest. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive #birds

On our latest show (#1,079 Mar. 1): Colorado Master Gardener Kaitlyn Parkins on gardening for birds; Cape Cod's Mike O’Connor on enhancing your backyard birding experience; and Florida’s new state bird. Here it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive

On our next show (#1,079 Mar. 1): Master Gardener Kaitlyn Parkins, and our Name the Talkin' Birds Garden Frog contest kick off our Gardening for Birds month. Find listening options at Talkinbirds.com or listen live online (Sun. 9:30 a.m. Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/2231 #birds

On our show #1077 (Feb 15), Ray spoke with Tom Wheeler of the Environmental Protection Information Center of Wild California. They discussed the controversial plan to save endangered Northern Spotted Owls by sacrificing Barred Owls. Here's Tom's take on the Spotted/Barred Owl problem. #birds #owls

On our latest show (#1,078 Feb. 22): a cool audio postcard from New Zealand; plans for an exciting statewide birding trail in Georgia; and Mike O’Connor’s thoughts on American Robins in winter. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive

On our next show (#1,078 Feb. 22): An elegant (not Elegant) tern; an avian audio postcard from New Zealand; and a salute to Birds Georgia in their 100th year. Find listening options at talkinbirds.com or listen live online (Sun 9:30 a.m. Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/22 #birds

A brief story about a seabird asking for help at a hospital, of all places! We did not know that cormorants could read German, but apparently this one figured out that a hospital is where you go when you're injured. #birds #seabirds

On our latest show (#1,077 Feb. 15): a torrent-taming duck; Mike O'Connor on Angel Wing syndrome; and the pro side of the Barred Owl culling debate. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive #birds

On our next show (#1,077 02/15): The other view of the plan to eliminate huge numbers of Barred Owls; a most unusual gull; and the continuing Great Backyard Bird Count. Listening options at Talkinbirds.com or live online (Sunday 9:30 a.m. Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/2231 #birds

This story is a sort of "Crow 101" -- a crash course in crows. Read or listen to it and learn how their range has changed, how they roost, what they eat, and so on. A must for crow fans everywhere. Plus, if you live in California's Bay Area, do let us know about the crows you see. #birds #crows

On our latest show (#1,076 Feb. 8): The Great Backyard Bird Count; the silky star of the southwest; and Mike O’Connor on the Birdman Cult of Easter Island. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive #birds

On our next show (#1,076 Feb. 8): The Great Backyard Bird Count; Mike O’Connor's backyard bird wisdom; and an audio postcard from Costa Rica. Find listening options at Talkinbirds.com or listen live online (Sunday 9:30 a.m. Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/2231 #birds

On our show #1,075 (Feb. 1), Ray spoke with Susan Bonfield of the Western Humminbird Partnership about how to save – well – western hummingbird species. Here's the organization's website. Bonus: The photos are fantastic! #Birds #hummingbirds

On our latest show (#1,075 Feb. 1): Susan Bonfield on the partnership to save our hummingbirds; Freya McGregor’s second audio postcard from Australia; and Mike O’Connor’s Short-eared Owl observations. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive #birds

On our next show (#1,075 Feb. 1): Pink-eared Ducks from Australia; a plan to save our hummingbirds; and Mike O’Connor’s report about Short-eared Owls. Find listening options at talkinbirds.com or listen live online (Sun 9:30 a.m. Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/2231 #birds

"Spring of the year!" sings the Eastern Meadowlark -- quite welcome in the depths of winter. Enjoy this cheery video of feathered sunshine from our friend Shawn Carey. #birds

Much of North America is covered in snow and ice at the moment, we figure a lot of folks would enjoy a tropical bird cam. Here's the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Panama Hummingbird Feeder cam at Canopy Tower. Tune in for close-ups of hummingbirds. This cam is in Eastern time. #birds

On our latest show (#1,074 Jan. 25): Animal Wellness Action’s Wayne Pacelle details his group's opposition to a plan to cull Barred Owls to save Spotted Owls. Plus, Mike O'Connor explains how birds keep warm in frigid weather. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive #birds

On our next show (#1,074 Jan. 25): Should one owl species be culled to save another owl species? Animal welfare advocate Wayne Pacelle weighs in on the idea. Find listening options at talkinbirds.com or listen live online (Sun 9:30 am Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/2231 #birds

Here's the article about woodpeckers that we mentioned on our most recent show (#1,073 Jan. 18). You can click from this article to the original research paper without a paywall. It still amazes us that such smalI birds can drill so deep. But we all knew birds were amazing. #birds #woodpeckers

On our latest show (#1073 Jan. 18): How woodpeckers can do what they do; the story of the “Plunging Goose;” and Mike’s thoughts about hummingbirds enduring northern winters. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive #birds

On our next show (#1,073 Jan. 18): How woodpeckers do what they do; Black Phoebes singing in an audio postcard; and how Beijing, China is cleaning up its dirty skies. Find listening options at Talkinbirds.com or listen live online (Sunday 930 a.m. Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/2231 #birds

Audubon's Climate Watch community science program starts January 15th -- this Thursday! Since 2016, Climate Watch volunteers have collected data which Audubon scientists use in research on birds' response to climate change. Click through to learn how to join them. #birds #ClimateWatch

On our latest show (#1,072 Jan. 11): A preview of a big birding festival; a salute to an Audubon chapter’s 100th Anniversary; and Mike O’Connor’s advice on feeding birds during snowstorms. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive #birds

On our next show (#1,072 Jan. 11): A preview of a great California bird festival; a centennial salute to Birds Georgia; and the bird that shook up Wilmington, Delaware. Find listening options at Talkinbirds.com or listen live online (Sun. 9:30 a.m. Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/2231 #birds

On our latest show (#1,071 Jan. 4): special guest Ryan Goldberg on his terrific new book, Bird City: Adventures in New York’s Urban Wilds. Plus, backyard birding expert Mike O’Connor with some backyard suet-substitution ideas. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive #birds

On our next show (#1,071 Jan. 4): Ryan Goldberg and his great new book, “Bird City”; why we love the Black-capped Chickadee; and an audio postcard from the Santa Cruz Mountains. Find listening options at Talkinbirds.com or listen live online (Sunday 930 am Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/2231

This lovely Allen's Hummingbird nest cam is located in Oceanside, California (Pacific time). There's lots to look at -- you'll see plenty of links in the comment section -- but the best part, of course, is the hummingbirds. Take your time! #birds #hummingbirds

On our latest show: The 5 Forests of Central America, and their importance for birds: Mike O’Connor’s thoughts about bird lists and journals; and an Audio Postcard from a San Diego Bird and Butterfly Garden. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive #birds

On our next show (#1,070): Why Central American forests are so important for birds — researcher Anna Lello-Smith explains. Plus, an audio postcard from southern California. Listening options at Talkinbirds.com or listen live on line (Sun 9:30 a.m. Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/2231 #birds

As featured on our most recent episode (#1,069 Dec. 21), here's the website for Access Birding, where you can sign up (or get on the waiting list) for the next Certified Access Birding Outing Leader course. Look around! There's plenty to read and watch about accessibility for all birders. #birds

One researcher called this phenomenon, "Evolution happening before our eyes." During the COVID-19 lockdown, less human food waste was available for birds to snack on. Here's one measurable way in which #birds adapted.

On our latest show (#1,069 Dec. 21): The five Kiwi species of New Zealand; Mike O’Connor on mixed winter bird flocks; and Freya McGregor on how she’s helping make birding accessible to all. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive #birds

On our next show (#1,069 Dec. 21): Fascinating facts about New Zealand’s Kiwis, and more good advice from backyard birding expert, Mike O’Connor. Find listening options at TalkinBirds.com or listen live online (Sunday 9:30 a.m. Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/2231 #birds

On our next show (#1,069 Dec. 21): Fascinating facts about New Zealand’s Kiwis, and more good advice from backyard birding expert, Mike O’Connor. Find listening options at TalkinBirds.com or listen live online (Sunday 9:30 a.m. Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/2231 #birds

As promised on our latest show (#1068, December 14), here's the article on wind energy written by our guest, Alice Madden, National Audubon Society's director of climate strategy. Bonus: There are links within the article to REWI, the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute. #birds #WindEnergy

On our latest show (#1,068 Dec. 14): How birds can coexist with wind turbines, and Mike’s gift-giving ideas for bird lovers. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive #birds

On our next show (#1,068 Dec. 14): A newly discovered bird in Brazil; and what new research reveals about birds and wind turbines. Find listening options at TalkinBirds.com or listen live on line (Sun 9:30 a.m. Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/2231 #birds

Birds are having trouble gaining enough fat to power their fall migration journeys. And yes, climate change could be the reason. #birds #ClimateChange

The proposed change to the U.S. Endangered Species Act poses major risks to bird populations. Here's the American Bird Conservancy's explainer: abcbirds.org/news/esa-pro... And here's how to comment on the change: www.doi.gov/pressrelease... #birds #endangered #ESA

We don't often know why a fossilized animal died, but this little bird provides evidence of a story. As if that weren't interesting enough, it's an entirely new species. #birds #fossils #archeology #dinosaurs

On our latest show (#1,067 Dec. 7): Wisdom the Albatross is back and ready to nest at age (at least) 75. Plus, Mike offers thoughts on wandering birds, and the American Bird Conservancy’s Hardy Kern explains how we can help birds survive. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive. #birds

On our next show (#1,067 Dec. 7): Trying to save birds from a cruel fate; a winter finch update; and birds that aren’t where they’re supposed to be. Find listening options at Talkinbirds.com or listen live online (Sun 9:30 a.m. Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/223 #birds

A new bird species of Tinamou has been discovered in Brazil. Unfortunately, it does not seem to fear humans. #birds #BrazilBirds

It's time to sign up for your local Christmas Bird Count. This long-running community science project runs December 14 - January 5 every year. Click through for info on how to find your local count, sign up, and access decades' worth of count data. #birds #CitizenScience #CommunityScience

On our latest show (#1,066 Nov. 30): A shiny bird with a bad reputation; Donald Ditzenberger’s expert advice on choosing a spotting scope; and Mike O’Connor on dabbling duck winter romance. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive #birds

On our next show (#1,066 Nov. 30): Expert advice on choosing a spotting scope; an audio postcard from the Indigo Trail; and Mike’s thoughts on December duck dalliances. Find listening options at Talkinbirds.com or live online (Sun. 9:30 a.m. Eastern) here: player.amperwave.net/2231 #birds

Happy Thanksgiving (U.S.) to all our friends. We are so thankful that you're with us -- listening to our show, enjoying birds all over the world, and spreading the word about conservation. You are the reason we do what we do. -- Sincerely, Ray and the Talkin' Birds crew.