Part 2 on Song Sparrows focusing on their songs, habitat, evolutionary history and much much more. Learn about song sparrows while you hangout with John in Otter Creek Wilderness!
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Cover art by the super talented TJ Rinoski. Check out more of his work at tj-rinoski.com
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone and outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Find them on youtube and spotify!
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Bird sounds from xeno-canto.org. Opening song sparrow song by Paul Marvin
Piercing song by Scott Olmstead
One hell of a singing voice by Paul Marvin
Example of how song is composed by Christopher McPherson
Unique song sparrow song by Manuel Grosselet
Example of song matching counter singing by Scott Olmstead
Example of repertoire matching by Thomas Ryder Paine
Example of switching songs by Thomas Graves
Chirping calls by Simon Elliot
See-ik-so-la call by Antonio Xeira

Professor Jeremy Hyman has studied song sparrow territorial behavior extensively and joins John on a rainy day to talk about the surprising amount of aggression behind their beautiful song. In this Part 1 of two episodes on song sparrows, you'll learn everything you need to know about how male song sparrows establish and defend their territories. You'll also learn tips for identifying song sparrow battle lines in your backyard!
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Big thanks to Professor Jeremy Hyman for being on the show!
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone, outro music by The Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music!
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Bird sounds from www.xeno-canto.org, both song sparrow songs from this episode were recorded by Thomas Magarian

In possibly the grossest episode yet, John tackles the ugly and misunderstood vultures of North America, the Black Vulture and the Turkey Vulture. After starting off with a sphincter clenching Native America story from the Winnebago tribe, John goes into way too much detail about how vultures find their food, fly, and stay cool. At the end, he explores vulture's evolutionary history and their interactions with humans. Plus: A voice memo from John S about the last episode on Carolina Wrens! Also, featuring Dirty Bird fan Kevin who tells a great story about a close vulture encounter and asks some questions that are answered on the show! Warning: don't listen to this episode on a full stomach.
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Photo from the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, who unfortunately cares for a lot of vulture patient's due to collisions and lead poisoning. Thank you for your hard work!
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All Bird sounds from Xeno-Canto.org.
Turkey Vulture Nesting Site Sound by Cristian Pinto
Black Vulture Call by JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA
Black Vultures at Roost by
Brice de la Croix
Black Vulture Dinosaur sound by
Dante Buzzetti
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone, Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers
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Dirty Bird Podcast cover art and logo by TJ Rinoski

Wren in doubt, check Dirty Bird out! In this tiny episode (by DB standards) for a tiny bird, John ventures into the Monongahela national forest to record an episode about the Carolina Wren. Learn about the origin of their scientific name, weird winter roosting habits, and every other fact you’d ever want to know about these feathery funballs! Also, thanks so much for the sounds provided from www.xeno-canto.org that display the incredible vocal repertoire of these birds.
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers
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Cover art by TJ Rinoski
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Bird sounds recorded by me or from www.xeno-canto.org, Intro Carolina Wren song by
Aidan Place
Alarm call by
Thomas Magarian
Vocalizations around 9
“teakettle song” by Christopher McPherson

“teakettle duet 1 + 2” by
Phoenix Birder
Carolina wren male song by Brian Hendrix
Rattle alarm call
Brian Hendrix
Down-trill call

Brian Hendrix
Eastern Towhee Call

Christopher McPherson
Drink your tea Eastern Towhee song
Chickadee like call by
Bruce Lagerquist
Russ Wigh
Random Carolina Wren Sounds
Chirt call
Bobby Wilcox

What has a white rump and a yellow (or red) shaft? The Northern Flicker of course! John and TJ discuss the many pun worthy aspects of the Northern Flicker's unique behaviors and biology. Also, a poem from Dirty Bird Listener Dolly and an awesome voice memo from Jaypogo! Thank's y'all!
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Cover art by TJ Rinoski- check out the new Dirty Bird Podcast logo made by this incredible Richmond, VA based artist!
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone, Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers
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Bird calls from Xeno-Canto.org. “Yucker Call” by Russ Wigh
Pileated Woodpecker Call by
Simon Elliott
Flicker Contact call by
Christopher McPherson
Flicker Yarrup sounds by
Paul Marvin
Flicker Wicka Call by
Richard E. Webster
Flicker Drumming by
Peter Ward and Ken Hall
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Thanks for listening! Send listener mail to [email protected] or find me on instagram @DirtyBirdPodcast

These fierce flying fishermen can be found across North America anywhere near bodies of water. Find out how they evolved to be such adapt hunters, learn ancient greek and native american stories involving this respectable bird, and listen to their unique rattling calls. Plus, an interview with Jessica Coker, wildlife photographer and artist who drew the pair of kingfishers for the cover art of this episode! Its a classic dirty bird episode, fun bird facts mixed with fowl language!
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Find them on youtube or wherever you get your music!
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Bird sounds from Xeno-Canto.org. Opener Sound:
Peter Ward and Ken Hall
Rattle Call Paul Marvin
Scream Call Thomas G. Graves
Harsh Call Niels Krabbe

You've heard about little pigs called piglets, now get ready for little kings! Learn about these tiny, spectacular birds found throughout much of the US in Winter. Sporting crowns of gold, orange, red, and pink (RIP Guadalupe Ruby-crowned Kinglet) they are not only a delight to see but also have interesting life histories. Get your ears the royal treatment of hearing about these birds!
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Cover art of Ruby-Crowned Kinglet by Jessica, thank you!
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Intro by Ricky Pistone, outro by the Sidewalk Slammers
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Bird calls/songs from Xeno-Canto.org Intro Ruby Crowned Song: Ron Overholtz
Golden Crowned Call: John Janousek
Ruby Crowned Call Lance A. M. Benner
Golden crowned song James Link
Ruby Crowned Song Bruce Lagerquist

With a belly full of Thanksgiving leftovers, join John to learn about the cornucopia of food red-bellied woodpeckers fill their bellies with! Learn everything you need to know- and some stuff you certainly don't need to know- about these common east coast birds. Find out why these birds are sometimes known as "Orange Sapsuckers". Also learn identification tips, life history and how these birds evolved. Its a Dirty Bird Podcast thanksgiving extravaganza!
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Cover art by Jessica
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone, outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers
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Bird sounds from Xeno-Canto.org, Opening “Kwer” call recorded by Brian Hendrix
Chuck call by
Will Sweet
“Pneumonia” Calls by David Vander Pluym
Second Chuck call by Paul Marvin
Mates interacting by Paul Marvin
Rolling Call by Paul Marvin
Drumming by Meena Haribal

A very educational interview with Director of Veterinary Services at Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, Dr. Jen Riley, DVM! Join Dirty Bird Podcast as we diagnose and treat wild bird injuries and diseases. From operating room to release, Dr. Riley walks us through the hard work of caring for birds. She also shares tips on how you can protect birds from trauma and illness in your own backyard! Dr. Riley tells us about One Health and the interaction of wildlife and human healthcare. John also shares some stories of his interactions with injured birds. Whether you're in the medical field or just a nature lover, this episode has a lot to teach!
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Thank you to Dr. Jen Riley and Blue Ridge Wildlife Center for this interview! Please check out their instagram, follow them on facebook, and check out their youtube page for amazing wildlife videos!
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Subscribe to Dirty Bird Podcast for the latest episodes, please leave us a review, and send listener mail to [email protected] to have your questions, comments read on the show! Be sure to check out last week's episode, Number 19, with Wildlife rehabilitation manager Jessica Andersen to learn how injured birds arrive to the clinic and the crazy stories that surround that side of wildlife care!

They tried to send Dirty Bird to Rehab and we said YES YES YES!
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In this episode we hear some amazing bird rescue stories from the Rehabilitation Program Coordinator at Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Boyce, Virginia. Jessica Andersen talks about her career in wildlife rescue, wrestling canada geese, Dopey the Screech Owl, Weight Watchers for Birds, and much much more! She also educates us on what to do if you find an injured bird and how to keep birds safe from everyone's favorite fluffy serial killers: Cats. Full of dumb jokes with interesting folks, check out this Dirty Bird Podcast Interview!
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Thanks again to Jessica Anderson! Follow Blue Ridge Wildlife Center on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Check out their Youtube channel for amazing animal rescue videos!
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone aka Dick Piston and outro music by The Sidewalk Slammers