BirdNote Daily

University of Puget Sound professor and BirdNote science advisor Peter Hodum studies seabird conservation. And he says that if you can’t do something to address a problem, find someone who can.
More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.
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Every November, duck callers flock to Stuttgart, Arkansas to compete in the annual World Championship Duck Calling Contest. Hunters traditionally use calls to lure in ducks by imitating the quacks and chattering of wild birds enjoying good habitat. But competition callers demonstrate their skills with a much broader repertoire. In this episode, 2025 World Champion Hayes Kibe describes what it’s like to blow for glory after becoming the youngest person to take first at just 15-years-old.
More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.
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A flock of small shorebirds, like Western Sandpipers, twists and turns, glittering in the sky. When threatened by a falcon, these birds take to the air, flying so close together that it's hard for a predator to capture one. A bird at one edge turns toward the middle, and a wave sweeps across the entire flock in less than a second.
More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.
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Vampire Ground-Finches menace their victims in broad daylight, stabbing holes in their flesh, then devouring the blood. During the dry season, when their usual diet of seeds can be scarce, they turn to large seabirds, like boobies. Fluttering onto a booby’s back, the finch jabs its sharp beak in among the feathers until blood flows, making a meal of it. Why boobies tolerate this remains a mystery.
More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.
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Do you like to guess the bird calls before we identify them? Then here’s a short quiz of spooky, scary, and creepy bird sounds! This Halloween edition features three common species in North America and a rare bird from New Zealand.
More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.
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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.