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- Starling Wars: The European MenaceA long time ago in a park far way... dozens of European starlings were released, forever changing the avian landscape of North America! Tune in to episode one of season three of the Will's Birdbrain Podcast, Starling Wars to learn how European starlings came to reside in the United States, what impacts they have on the locals, and maybe even a reason or two to appreciate these often villainized birds. May the forest be with you, birders!
Welcome to season three of the Will's Birdbrain Podcast! This season we’ll be discovering the ways birds influence not only human culture, but the natural world as well, and exploring the amazing hidden wonders right under our noses. This season episodes will be separated into themes - "birds" and "birding." The "birds" episodes will be like this one, solo narration with sound effects and music. The "birding" episodes will be conversations between Will and guests from the birding world focusing on how birds influence our way of life. These elements of the WBB Podcast were split up so neither overshadows the other!
Thank you for listening, and of course, keep looking up!
Be sure to check out the Will's Birdbrain Instagram account for complementary episode photos and videos, plus many other awesome bird photos/stories!
--> Will's Birdbrain Instagram Page <--
Got a favorite bird you'd like to hear discussed on the Podcast? Shoot Will an email and let him know what you'd like to hear, share a birding story, or just say what's up! Email inquiries - [email protected]
Will's Birdbrain has merch! Consider grabbing a sticker or two of your favorite common bird! Proceeds will go straight into funding more episodes and spreading the joy of birding! New season two merch coming soon!
--> Will's Birdbrain Shop <--
Love the show? Consider supporting me on Patreon! Your support and interest is extremely helpful and encouraging! The goal of the Podcast is to share the love of birds, so be sure to share with your friends and family too. Together let's show some love to these common critters that so often get overlooked. I cannot do it without you.
Click the link to sign up: WBB Patreon
Huge shout out to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi, Karene, and Ricardo for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!
Support the Show.Support the show
27 min - Season Three Trailer
Ready to discover the amazing world of your own backyard? Keep listening to the Will's Birdbrain Podcast to discover how!
Be sure to check out the Will's Birdbrain Instagram account for complementary episode photos and videos, plus many other awesome bird photos/stories!
--> Will's Birdbrain Instagram Page <--
Got a favorite bird you'd like to hear discussed on the Podcast? Shoot Will an email and let him know what you'd like to hear, share a birding story, or just say what's up! Email inquiries - [email protected]
Will's Birdbrain has merch! Consider grabbing a sticker or two of your favorite common bird! Proceeds will go straight into funding more episodes and spreading the joy of birding! New season two merch coming soon!
--> Will's Birdbrain Shop <--
Love the show? Consider supporting me on Patreon! Your support and interest is extremely helpful and encouraging! The goal of the Podcast is to share the love of birds, so be sure to share with your friends and family too. Together let's show some love to these common critters that so often get overlooked. I cannot do it without you.
Click the link to sign up: WBB Patreon
Huge shout out to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi, Karene, and Ricardo for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the Show.
Support the show
5 min - Birdbrain Bedtime Stories Vol. 1Ready to wind down after a great day of birding? Here's Will's Birdbrain Bedtime Stories Vol. 1 to help you fall asleep and dream about birds!
Inside you'll find the following tales:
The Nightingale (1:08)
The Alkonost and the Siren (19:00)
The Story of the Bluebird (26:25)
Thank you very much for a wonderful season 2! Please accept this Christmas gift to you. Season two was certainly more focused on the conversation portion of the discussion, but I do love telling you stories. I tried to select a fun variety for this collection, they're a bit sad, a lot hopeful, a little creepy. Let me know which is your favorite, and if you'd like a volume 2! See you next year!
Be sure to check out the Will's Birdbrain Instagram account for complementary episode photos and videos, plus many other awesome bird photos/stories!
--> Will's Birdbrain Instagram Page <--
Got a favorite bird you'd like to hear discussed on the Podcast? Shoot Will an email and let him know what you'd like to hear, share a birding story, or just say what's up! Email inquiries - [email protected]
Will's Birdbrain has merch! Consider grabbing a sticker or two of your favorite common bird! Proceeds will go straight into funding more episodes and spreading the joy of birding! New season two merch coming soon!
--> Will's Birdbrain Shop <--
Love the show? Consider supporting me on Patreon! Your support and interest is extremely helpful and encouraging! The goal of the Podcast is to share the love of birds, so be sure to share with your friends and family too. Together let's show some love to these common critters that so often get overlooked. I cannot do it without you.
Click the link to sign up: WBB Patreon
Huge shout out to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi, Karene, and Ricardo for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show
32 min - Knock Knock, Downy Woodpecker ThereKnock knock - who's there? - season - season who? - no, season two finale!
Season two has been quite the journey! From learning about migratory butterbutts, to vibin' out to the chill beats of Stressers, every episode has been a fantastic conversation with knowledgeable guests, but at times they got a little heavy. Talking about hard sciences and social issues can be equal parts rewarding and draining. Because of that, sending off season two is a fun-filled light hearted episode full of jokes and stories!
Fan-favorite guest Kayta joins Will for a goofy conversation about the adorable downy woodpecker! Downy woodpeckers are friendly, fascinating common birds. Where do they live? What do they eat? How do you identify them when they look so similar to other species? Kayta and Will address all of this and more between some pretty silly bird jokes.
Some of the jokes shared in this episode were sent in from WBB Instagram followers! Their handles are:
@birds_of_bean
@missus.blunt
@danature.pnw
@birder_ks
The Story of the Maple Tree
Be sure to check out the Will's Birdbrain Instagram account for complementary episode photos and videos, plus many other awesome bird photos/stories!
--> Will's Birdbrain Instagram Page <--
Got a favorite bird you'd like to hear discussed on the Podcast? Shoot Will an email and let him know what you'd like to hear, share a birding story, or just say what's up! Email inquiries - [email protected]
Will's Birdbrain has merch! Consider grabbing a sticker or two of your favorite common bird! Proceeds will go straight into funding more episodes and spreading the joy of birding! New season two merch coming soon!
--> Will's Birdbrain Shop <--
Love the show? Consider supporting me on Patreon! Your support and interest is extremely helpful and encouraging! The goal of the Podcast is to share the love of birds, so be sure to share with your friends and family too. Together let's show some love to these common critters that so often get overlooked. I cannot do it without you.
Click the link to sign up: WBB Patreon
Huge shout out to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi, Karene, and Ricardo for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show
58 min - Chilling Tails: Lavawalking Nene vs. Alien MynaAre you afraid of the dark? How about ghosts or zombies? If these spooky terrors don’t send a shiver down your spine tune into this chilling Will’s Birdbrain episode to discover something truly terrifying – the possibility of extinction!
In true classic horror movie fashion, this is a drive-in double feature episode showcasing two birds of the day and a very special guest, uncle Jared, host of Ghostlore of Hawaii: Paranormal Paradise! The Ghostlore of Hawaii is a paranormal-themed podcast covering Hawaii's ghost stories, folklore, ancient mythology, and true crime. First, Will and Jared learn about the Nene, Hawaii’s state bird. The nene was once abundant on the islands of Hawaii before disaster struck… Next up the common myna swoops in to share the spotlight, bringing with it a trail of destruction. Both birds call Hawaii home today but can they learn to coexist?
Will and Jared then compare the history of these resident birds to the people of Hawaii, yesterday and today. How has the culture of Hawaii changed over the years? What shocking threats loom over the heads of residents? To close us out Jared shares a terrifying story from his show, Ghostlore of Hawaii, which can be found wherever you get your podcasts (trigger warning: self-harm).
Happy Halloweeeeeen!!
Want to support these two independent podcasters? Consider joining the Ghostlore of Hawaii’s Patreon for bonus episodes, supplemental show updates, and more!
https://www.patreon.com/ghostloreofhawaii
Ghostlore: https://www.ghostloreofhawaii.com/
Be sure to check out the Will's Birdbrain Instagram account for complementary episode photos and videos, plus many other awesome bird photos/stories! https://www.instagram.com/wills_birdbrain/?hl=en
Got a favorite bird you'd like to hear discussed on the Podcast? Shoot Will an email and let him know what you'd like to hear, share a birding story, or just say what's up! Email inquiries - [email protected]
Will's Birdbrain has merch! Consider grabbing a sticker or two of your favorite common bird! Proceeds will go straight into funding more episodes and spreading the joy of birding!
Shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillsBirdbrain?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1361667746
Love the show, consider supporting me on Patreon! Your support and interest is extremely helpful and encouraging! The goal of the Podcast is to share the love of birds, so be sure to share with your friends and family too. Together let's show some love to these common critters that so often get overlooked. I cannot do it without you.
Click the link to sign up: https://www.patreon.com/willsbirdbrain
Huge shout out to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi, and Karene for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show
43 min - Carin' About the Great Blue HeronOrnithology. Herpetology. Mammalogy. When you hear these words what do you think of? You’re probably aware of the meaning behind the suffix “ology,” meaning “the study of,” which may make you think these words solely refer to rigorous scientific study, test tubes and all. What if I told you an ology such as ornithology, the study of birds, doesn’t have to be so alien.
Joining Will is Meg, a socioecological researcher and scientist whose work has taken her far and wide exploring the connection between people and nature, and creatures and nature.
This episode explores a common yet awe-inspiring, giant bird- the great blue heron! GBH are adored throughout North America for their ability to transport people back to the prehistoric era and experience what it may have been like to witness dinosaurs. Will and Meg discuss some quirky facts about heron nesting, confusingly similar subspecies, and a whole lot of other cool, herony facts! After learning about the GBH it's easy to see how a tiny spark of interest in the scientific world, or birds, can ignite a lifelong passion for learning! Great blue herons are key indicator species- species with a lot of data on them which can be used to gauge the health of an ecosystem. What kind of DIY research can you conduct relating to this important bird?
Be sure to check out the Will's Birdbrain Instagram account for complementary episode photos and videos, plus many other awesome bird photos/stories! https://www.instagram.com/wills_birdbrain/?hl=en
Got a favorite bird you'd like to hear discussed on the Podcast? Shoot Will an email and let him know what you'd like to hear, share a birding story, or just say what's up! Email inquiries - [email protected]
Will's Birdbrain has merch! Consider grabbing a sticker or two of your favorite common bird! Proceeds will go straight into funding more episodes and spreading the joy of birding!
Shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillsBirdbrain?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1361667746
Love the show, consider supporting me on Patreon! Your support and interest is extremely helpful and encouraging! The goal of the Podcast is to share the love of birds, so be sure to share with your friends and family too. Together let's show some love to these common critters that so often get overlooked. I cannot do it without you.
Click the link to sign up: https://www.patreon.com/willsbirdbrain
Huge shout out to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi, and Karene for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show
1 hr 19 min - Bewitching Barn OwlsOwls are possibly the most mysterious of all birds. They have captivated the minds of man for thousands of years, resulting in countless myths and legends about their peculiar behavior. Perhaps the most mysterious of all owls is also the most common owl and the most widespread landbird in the world, the barn owl!
Join Will and Leslie, a budding birder, as they discuss why you should give a "hoot" about the barn owl. These curious critters are deadly killing machines, but that doesn't mean they aren't facing their own challenges of human making. Come learn about the barn owl's almost supernature senses, social behaviors, threats they face, and more!
Leslie adds to the spookiness with stories from her Tejano/Mesoamerican background, including the story of the infamous lechuza, the shapeshifting owl-witch. Turn on your nightlight and hug the comforter extra tight this episode as owl's more bizarre and eerie cultural legends are discussed.
Be sure to check out the Will's Birdbrain Instagram account for complementary episode photos and videos, plus many other awesome bird photos/stories! https://www.instagram.com/wills_birdbrain/?hl=en
Got a favorite bird you'd like to hear discussed on the Podcast? Shoot Will an email and let him know what you'd like to hear, share a birding story, or just say what's up! Email inquiries - [email protected]
Will's Birdbrain has merch! Consider grabbing a sticker or two of your favorite common bird! Proceeds will go straight into funding more episodes and spreading the joy of birding!
Shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillsBirdbrain?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1361667746
Love the show, consider supporting me on Patreon! Your support and interest is extremely helpful and encouraging! The goal of the Podcast is to share the love of birds, so be sure to share with your friends and family too. Together let's show some love to these common critters that so often get overlooked. I cannot do it without you.
Click the link to sign up: https://www.patreon.com/willsbirdbrain
Huge shout out to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi, and Karene for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show
1 hr 8 min - Blue Jays Speaking Truth to PowerDid you know? Will’s Birdbrain not only celebrates the common birds you may see every day but the common people you see everyday as well! Over the course of the podcast my guests and I have highlighted specific ways you can live and breathe birding simply by existing. From making movies featuring birds to studying them professionally, everyone can use their experience to uplift the voice of the voiceless. This sentiment can be applied to the supplemental theme of Will’s Birdbrain as well- birding is for everyone! This episode is about making noise, something today’s bird of the day is very good at doing!
Joining me is Dara Wilson, a conservation communications specialist who has used her voice to make the world of birding a better place for marginalized people in her community. Dara is a naturalist, science educator, and co-chair of the Black Birders Week Advisory Group. Together Will and Dara discuss a bird you hear would likely hear before you see- the blue jay! These chatty rabble-rousers are much more than meets the eye, and can teach us a thing or two about helping the friends around us.
Want to watch Will's discussion with black podcasters during Black Birders' Week as mentioned in this episode? Check the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBl3hBftA3Y&list=PL3NlhCdvgOprn4XbEKO8EEu4ob-ZdpqUB&index=7
Be sure to check out the Will's Birdbrain Instagram account for complementary episode photos and videos, plus many other awesome bird photos/stories! https://www.instagram.com/wills_birdbrain/?hl=en
Got a favorite bird you'd like to hear discussed on the Podcast? Shoot Will an email and let him know what you'd like to hear, share a birding story, or just say what's up! Email inquiries - [email protected]
Will's Birdbrain has merch! Consider grabbing a sticker or two of your favorite common bird! Proceeds will go straight into funding more episodes and spreading the joy of birding!
Shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillsBirdbrain?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1361667746
Love the show, consider supporting me on Patreon! Your support and interest is extremely helpful and encouraging! The goal of the Podcast is to share the love of birds, so be sure to share with your friends and family too. Together let's show some love to these common critters that so often get overlooked. I cannot do it without you.
Click the link to sign up: https://www.patreon.com/willsbirdbrain
Don't forget to keep up with the common critters!Support the show
1 hr 30 min - Representation in Birding
The content of this bonus episode was described as "my manifesto." I believe birding is for everyone- not just black folk, not just white folk, or able bodied people, or otherwise. I was prompted to write this episode after attending a birding event in Maine as the only young person of color, an oh so familiar experience for me.
This episode not only describes the challenges non-white, non-retiree birders face, but how we together can make birding more accessible and inclusive. With the help of dedicated nonprofits and old fashioned teamwork, Thank you so much for supporting my passion for getting young people of color outdoors!
Shout out to my buddies from the Maine Maritime Museum, Luke, Sarah, and Paul! Their work (mentioned in this episode) is a great example of a positive step forward for inclusion, accountability, and action.
Will’s Birdbrain will return with more birdbrained facts in no time!
Be sure to check out the Will's Birdbrain Instagram account for complementary episode photos and videos, plus many other awesome bird photos/stories! https://www.instagram.com/wills_birdbrain/?hl=en
Got a favorite bird you'd like to hear discussed on the Podcast? Shoot Will an email and let him know what you'd like to hear, share a birding story, or just say what's up! Email inquiries - [email protected]
Will's Birdbrain has merch! Consider grabbing a sticker or two of your favorite common bird! Proceeds will go straight into funding more episodes and spreading the joy of birding!
Shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillsBirdbrain?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1361667746
Love the show, consider supporting me on Patreon! Your support and interest is extremely helpful and encouraging! The goal of the Podcast is to share the love of birds, so be sure to share with your friends and family too. Together let's show some love to these common critters that so often get overlooked. I cannot do it without you.
Click the link to sign up: https://www.patreon.com/willsbirdbrain
Don't forget to keep up with the common critters!Support the show
22 min - Season Two Intermission
Hello Birdbrains!
Season two has been so fun! We've learned about science, compared hobbies, and even gone on an adventure in Montana! Let's take a moment to appreciate the journey thus far and look back on some highlights from the first half of season two.
Kayta, our very own WBB beginner birder, has graduated to intermediate birder between seasons and has returned to share her thoughts on the first half of season two. This is a special bonus episode- it was recorded outside in the park with birds chirping all around us! I wanted to give this conversation a more natural vibe, with minimal editing and sound effects. I hope you enjoy our reminiscing!
Will’s Birdbrain will return with more birdbrained facts in no time!
Be sure to check out the Will's Birdbrain Instagram account for complementary episode photos and videos, plus many other awesome bird photos/stories! https://www.instagram.com/wills_birdbrain/?hl=en
Got a favorite bird you'd like to hear discussed on the Podcast? Shoot Will an email and let him know what you'd like to hear, share a birding story, or just say what's up! Email inquiries - [email protected]
Will's Birdbrain has merch! Consider grabbing a sticker or two of your favorite common bird! Proceeds will go straight into funding more episodes and spreading the joy of birding!
Shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillsBirdbrain?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1361667746
Love the show, consider supporting me on Patreon! Your support and interest is extremely helpful and encouraging! The goal of the Podcast is to share the love of birds, so be sure to share with your friends and family too. Together let's show some love to these common critters that so often get overlooked. I cannot do it without you.
Click the link to sign up: https://www.patreon.com/willsbirdbrain
Don't forget to keep up with the common critters!Support the show
27 min
About Will's Birdbrain
From the publisher's feed
There are billions of birds flying around the world, let's get a know some of them! Episodes will feature one bird, highlighting their history and role in the modern world, as well as a myth or legend…
centered around that bird from around the world. Hosted by birdnerd Will, featuring guests from the birding community.