Gnatcatchers are tiny, black and gray songbirds native to the Americas. Though they don’t typically catch gnats on the wing, gnatcatchers are often found moving rapidly through the high canopy as they glean insects from leaves. There are four species found in the U.S. and Canada: Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Black-tailed Gnatcatchers, Black-capped Gnatcatchers, and California Gnatcatchers. It takes time and effort to find them all, but these charismatic birds are worth the journey.More info and transcript at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/four-north-american-gnatcatchers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote.org</a>.Want more BirdNote? <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/subscribe-newsletter" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe</a> to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for <a href="https://birdnote.supercast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote+</a> to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/about/great-ways-support-birdnote" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tax-deductible gift </a>makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gnatcatchers are tiny, black and gray songbirds native to the Americas. Though they don’t typically catch gnats on the wing, gnatcatchers are often found moving rapidly through the high canopy as they glean insects from leaves. There are four species found in the U.S. and Canada: Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Black-tailed Gnatcatchers, Black-capped Gnatcatchers, and California Gnatcatchers. It takes time and effort to find them all, but these charismatic birds are worth the journey. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gnatcatchers are tiny, black and gray songbirds native to the Americas. Though they don’t typically catch gnats on the wing, gnatcatchers are often found moving rapidly through the high canopy as they glean insects from leaves. There are four species found in the U.S. and Canada: Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Black-tailed Gnatcatchers, Black-capped Gnatcatchers, and California Gnatcatchers. It takes time and effort to find them all, but these charismatic birds are worth the journey.More info and transcript at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/four-north-american-gnatcatchers" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote.org</a>.Want more BirdNote? <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/subscribe-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe</a> to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for <a href="https://birdnote.supercast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote+</a> to get ad-free listening and other perks.&nbsp;BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/about/great-ways-support-birdnote" rel="noopener noreferrer">tax-deductible gift </a>makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Four North American Gnatcatchers

During migration, Snow Geese gather in the tens of thousands. They coordinate their movements, flying in a big, compact flock, which makes it harder for a predator to pick off a single bird. It is truly something to see.More info and transcript at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/sound-thousand-geese-taking-once" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote.org</a>.Want more BirdNote? <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/subscribe-newsletter" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe</a> to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for <a href="https://birdnote.supercast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote+</a> to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/about/great-ways-support-birdnote" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tax-deductible gift </a>makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

During migration, Snow Geese gather in the tens of thousands. They coordinate their movements, flying in a big, compact flock, which makes it harder for a predator to pick off a single bird. It is truly something to see. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

During migration, Snow Geese gather in the tens of thousands. They coordinate their movements, flying in a big, compact flock, which makes it harder for a predator to pick off a single bird. It is truly something to see.More info and transcript at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/sound-thousand-geese-taking-once" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote.org</a>.Want more BirdNote? <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/subscribe-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe</a> to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for <a href="https://birdnote.supercast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote+</a> to get ad-free listening and other perks.&nbsp;BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/about/great-ways-support-birdnote" rel="noopener noreferrer">tax-deductible gift </a>makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Sound of a Thousand Geese Taking Off at Once

Long, upward slopes called escarpments offer a good chance of seeing some of the many raptor species found in Belize. Shaped like a compact Red-tailed Hawk, White Hawks are white overall with black markings and scan the landscape for reptile prey. Bat Falcons have a darkly barred chest and cinnamon belly, and chase down swifts, dragonflies, and the bats that give them their name. Ornate Hawk-Eagles stand over two feet tall and are capable of catching monkeys.More info and transcript at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/escarpment" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote.org</a>.Want more BirdNote? <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/subscribe-newsletter" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe</a> to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for <a href="https://birdnote.supercast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote+</a> to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/about/great-ways-support-birdnote" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tax-deductible gift </a>makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Long, upward slopes called escarpments offer a good chance of seeing some of the many raptor species found in Belize. Shaped like a compact Red-tailed Hawk, White Hawks are white overall with black markings and scan the landscape for reptile prey. Bat Falcons have a darkly barred chest and cinnamon belly, and chase down swifts, dragonflies, and the bats that give them their name. Ornate Hawk-Eagles stand over two feet tall and are capable of catching monkeys. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Long, upward slopes called escarpments offer a good chance of seeing some of the many raptor species found in Belize. Shaped like a compact Red-tailed Hawk, White Hawks are white overall with black markings and scan the landscape for reptile prey. Bat Falcons have a darkly barred chest and cinnamon belly, and chase down swifts, dragonflies, and the bats that give them their name. Ornate Hawk-Eagles stand over two feet tall and are capable of catching monkeys.More info and transcript at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/escarpment" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote.org</a>.Want more BirdNote? <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/subscribe-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe</a> to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for <a href="https://birdnote.supercast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote+</a> to get ad-free listening and other perks.&nbsp;BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/about/great-ways-support-birdnote" rel="noopener noreferrer">tax-deductible gift </a>makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At the Escarpment

Despite their name, Prairie Warblers nest in tree farms of recently planted pines, in fields overgrown with scattered shrubs, and in clearings under power lines. Biologists call these “early successional” habitats. They’re characterized by plants that are the first to return to land altered by clearing or fire. Prairie Warblers and similar birds have declined rapidly during the last 50 years, being pressed from all sides. But they’re now benefiting from conservation on several fronts, including the Michael Huber Prairie Warbler Preserve in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens and the Albany Pine Bush Reserve in New York.More info and transcript at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/prairie-warblers-early-successional-species" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote.org</a>.Want more BirdNote? <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/subscribe-newsletter" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe</a> to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for <a href="https://birdnote.supercast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote+</a> to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/about/great-ways-support-birdnote" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tax-deductible gift </a>makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Despite their name, Prairie Warblers nest in tree farms of recently planted pines, in fields overgrown with scattered shrubs, and in clearings under power lines. Biologists call these “early successional” habitats. They’re characterized by plants that are the first to return to land altered by clearing or fire. Prairie Warblers and similar birds have declined rapidly during the last 50 years, being pressed from all sides. But they’re now benefiting from conservation on several fronts, including the Michael Huber Prairie Warbler Preserve in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens and the Albany Pine Bush Reserve in New York. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Despite their name, Prairie Warblers nest in tree farms of recently planted pines, in fields overgrown with scattered shrubs, and in clearings under power lines. Biologists call these “early successional” habitats. They’re characterized by plants that are the first to return to land altered by clearing or fire. Prairie Warblers and similar birds have declined rapidly during the last 50 years, being pressed from all sides. But they’re now benefiting from conservation on several fronts, including the Michael Huber Prairie Warbler Preserve in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens and the Albany Pine Bush Reserve in New York.More info and transcript at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/prairie-warblers-early-successional-species" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote.org</a>.Want more BirdNote? <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/subscribe-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe</a> to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for <a href="https://birdnote.supercast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote+</a> to get ad-free listening and other perks.&nbsp;BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/about/great-ways-support-birdnote" rel="noopener noreferrer">tax-deductible gift </a>makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Prairie Warblers — An Early Successional Species

Related to shearwaters and petrels, the Northern Fulmar will eat just about anything it finds on the surface of the ocean, from fish and squids to dead whales. While some have snow-white bodies and gray wings, others are dark gray all over. That’s because fulmars are polymorphic, which is to say they come in multiple colors or “morphs”. The difference is genetic and doesn’t depend on age, sex, or season. This color variation may offer behavioral or habitat-based advantages to fulmars and other polymorphic species like Snow Geese, screech-owls, or Red-tailed Hawks.More info and transcript at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/bird-two-colors" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote.org</a>.Want more BirdNote? <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/subscribe-newsletter" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe</a> to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for <a href="https://birdnote.supercast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote+</a> to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/about/great-ways-support-birdnote" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tax-deductible gift </a>makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Related to shearwaters and petrels, the Northern Fulmar will eat just about anything it finds on the surface of the ocean, from fish and squids to dead whales. While some have snow-white bodies and gray wings, others are dark gray all over. That’s because fulmars are polymorphic, which is to say they come in multiple colors or “morphs”. The difference is genetic and doesn’t depend on age, sex, or season. This color variation may offer behavioral or habitat-based advantages to fulmars and other polymorphic species like Snow Geese, screech-owls, or Red-tailed Hawks. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Related to shearwaters and petrels, the Northern Fulmar will eat just about anything it finds on the surface of the ocean, from fish and squids to dead whales. While some have snow-white bodies and gray wings, others are dark gray all over. That’s because fulmars are polymorphic, which is to say they come in multiple colors or “morphs”. The difference is genetic and doesn’t depend on age, sex, or season. This color variation may offer behavioral or habitat-based advantages to fulmars and other polymorphic species like Snow Geese, screech-owls, or Red-tailed Hawks.More info and transcript at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/bird-two-colors" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote.org</a>.Want more BirdNote? <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/subscribe-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer">Subscribe</a> to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for <a href="https://birdnote.supercast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote+</a> to get ad-free listening and other perks.&nbsp;BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/about/great-ways-support-birdnote" rel="noopener noreferrer">tax-deductible gift </a>makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Bird of Two Colors

Loggerhead Shrikes are found across much of the United States in open country, like pasture and sagebrush. Male shrikes are well known for impaling their prey on thorns, creating a larder that may help impress potential mates. But pesticides and the loss of habitat to residential and commercial uses have reduced shrike populations. Conservation efforts are under way, such as allowing brush to grow along fence-lines, leaving small trees and shrubs on the roadside, and reducing or eliminating the use of pesticides. Learn more at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/loggerhead-shrike">BirdNote.org</a>.

Loggerhead Shrikes are found across much of the United States in open country, like pasture and sagebrush. Male shrikes are well known for impaling their prey on thorns, creating a larder that may help impress potential mates. But pesticides and the loss of habitat to residential and commercial uses have reduced shrike populations. Conservation efforts are under way, such as allowing brush to grow along fence-lines, leaving small trees and shrubs on the roadside, and reducing or eliminating the use of pesticides. Learn more at BirdNote.org.

Loggerhead Shrikes are found across much of the United States in open country, like pasture and sagebrush. Male shrikes are well known for impaling their prey on thorns, creating a larder that may help impress potential mates. But pesticides and the loss of habitat to residential and commercial uses have reduced shrike populations. Conservation efforts are under way, such as allowing brush to grow along fence-lines, leaving small trees and shrubs on the roadside, and reducing or eliminating the use of pesticides. Learn more at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/loggerhead-shrike" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote.org</a>.

Loggerhead Shrike

Outdoor cats kill billions of birds each year in North America — and they live much shorter lives than indoor cats. But life as an indoor cat doesn’t have to be boring. On <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/listen/podcasts/bring-birds-back">Bring Birds Back</a> podcast, cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy discusses how just 15 minutes of creative play with your cat can make a huge difference. Plus, letting cats watch birds through the window can act as “Cat TV.” Learn more at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/giving-your-cat-great-life-indoors">BirdNote.org</a>.

Outdoor cats kill billions of birds each year in North America — and they live much shorter lives than indoor cats. But life as an indoor cat doesn’t have to be boring. On Bring Birds Back podcast, cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy discusses how just 15 minutes of creative play with your cat can make a huge difference. Plus, letting cats watch birds through the window can act as “Cat TV.” Learn more at BirdNote.org.

Outdoor cats kill billions of birds each year in North America — and they live much shorter lives than indoor cats. But life as an indoor cat doesn’t have to be boring. On <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/listen/podcasts/bring-birds-back" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bring Birds Back</a> podcast, cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy discusses how just 15 minutes of creative play with your cat can make a huge difference. Plus, letting cats watch birds through the window can act as “Cat TV.” Learn more at <a href="https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/giving-your-cat-great-life-indoors" rel="noopener noreferrer">BirdNote.org</a>.

Giving Your Cat a Great Life Indoors

It all began in a one-room schoolhouse in Nova Scotia . . .

A Fascination with Cranes, With George Archibald

Play and Brain Size

Puffins to the right of us! Puffins to the left of us!

Puffins - Clowns of the Sea

A welcome flash of yellow, deep in the swamp!

Okefenokee Swamp and Prothonotary Warbler

Murres' Swimming Migration - With Bob Boekelheide

Watch out for this preeminent predatory bird of the night!

The Ferocious Feet of the Great Horned Owl

Birds migrate here from as far as Bolivia!

Peatlands - Maine's Sunkhaze Meadows Refuge

It’s more a matter of language than biology.

Dove or Pigeon?

Escape the daily grind and immerse yourself in the natural world. Rich in imagery, sound, and information, BirdNote inspires you to notice the world around you.

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