The Science of Birds

This is Episode 105. It’s all about a small group of birds called mergansers. These are diving ducks known for their skill at catching fish. They have long, slender bills with serrated edges, earning them the nickname "sawbills." Maybe you’re familiar with these birds. Maybe you’re already a big fan. Or maybe you didn’t know they existed until just now. Either way, our goal today is to learn a lot more about Common Mergansers and their close relatives. There are five species that we call mergansers. And there’s another species in this group that’s called the Smew. The Smew is sort of an honorary merganser. The six species we’re looking at today are divided among 3 genera. Of all the ducks in the world, mergansers are the species that depend the most on fish. So not surprisingly, they’re excellent divers and swimmers.  Links of InterestMerganser Duckling Swimming at High Speed [VIDEO]Red-breasted Merganser Courtship Display [VIDEO]Hooded Merganser Courtship Display [VIDEO]Hooded Merganser Chicks Jumping Out of Nest [VIDEO]Red-breasted and Common Mergansers herding fish [VIDEO] ~~ Leave me a review using Podchaser ~~Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the show

This episode—which is Number 104—is all about rocky shores and sandy beaches as bird habitat. These environments offer birds very different resources and challenges. We explore the geology behind these habitats—how high-energy waves shape rocky cliffs and headlands, while the deposition of sediment builds up sandy beaches. Alongside this, we discuss the dynamic interaction between birds and their coastal homes, and how species like gulls, shorebirds, and seabirds have adapted to thrive in these unique settings.The episode highlights the incredible diversity of bird species found along coastlines worldwide. From puffins nesting on rocky sea cliffs to plovers skittering across sandy beaches, coastal birds have developed specialized feeding and breeding behaviors to survive in their often harsh environments. We also examine how tides and wave energy shape the coastal ecosystem and offer rich feeding opportunities for birds during migration and in their non-breeding seasons.Finally, we touch on the many challenges coastal birds face from human activity—habitat destruction, disturbance, pollution, and climate change—all of which threaten these delicate ecosystems. But amidst the challenges, coastal environments remain awe-inspiring places for birdwatching, providing opportunities to witness some of the most dramatic bird spectacles on Earth.   ~~ Leave me a review using Podchaser ~~Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the show

In this episode—which is Number 103—we enter the fascinating world of parrots, focusing on species in the family Psittacidae, which includes New World parrots and some African species. We look at key parrot traits like their zygodactyl feet, strong beaks, plumage, and vocalizations.We'll also learn about the remarkable intelligence and social behaviors of parrots, their diversity, and their evolutionary history, tracing their origins back to Gondwana and their eventual spread to South America and Africa.Finally, we look at what psittacid parrots eat and how they breed.~~ Leave me a review using Podchaser ~~Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the show

In this episode—which is Number 102—we dive into the fascinating world of the Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), a small but mighty bird known for its striking blue and orange plumage and remarkable fish-hunting skills. We'll look at this species' behavior, from its iconic plunges into water to catch prey, to how it breeds, including courtship rituals, nest-building, and the challenges of raising chicks.Learn about the kingfisher's diet and foraging strategies, including how it deals with challenges like refraction at the water’s surface to accurately target its prey. Additionally, I touch on the habitat and global distribution of the Common Kingfisher.This episode offers a fun exploration of one of the most beloved birds in Eurasia. Tune in to learn more about the "Prince of Piscivory."Links of InterestKingfisher Diving in Slow Motion [VIDEO]Kingfisher Coughing up a Pellet [VIDEO]Two male kingfishers fighting [VIDEO]Kingfisher family in the nest cavity [VIDEO]~~ Leave me a review using Podchaser ~~Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the show