The “Bird Man” of the Airwaves

Cliff Shackelford

This is Passport to Texas

You are listening to Red River Radio. Stay tuned “Bird Calls” is coming up in just a few moments right here on your public radio station.

On the second Tuesday of the month, 10,000 loyal listeners tune in to hear the bird man of East Texas.

I’ve never heard a show on the radio that people can call in and ask questions about birds

Cliff Shackelford is the State Ornithologist for the Texas Parks and Wildlife

[DJ] And we have lines open right now. We’re going to Clair from Shreveport, Claire you’re on line. What’s your question?

[Claire] Hi Cliff, such a big fan.

[Cliff] Hey, great. What’s up?

A lot of people that like watching reality TV ought to turn off the TV and go outside because there’s a reality there that’s so pure, so real, so interesting.

The show took flight after Cliff helped with the station’s annual fund drive.

He does this voluntarily.

Kermit Poling is the General Manager for Red River Radio.

It’s a lot of work for him and there’s travel back and fourth

[Cliff] This is a great partnership for Parks and Wildlife. They just send me over to preach the good word about birds through a radio station that’s already established …I can reach a lot of people in one hour.

For more about the show, “Bird Calls” with Cliff Shackelford, go to redriverradio.org.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.