Will's Birdbrain

There are approximately 50 billion birds in the world. There are approximately 8.2 billion humans on earth. That is about 6 birds for every person. With that kind of ratio it isn’t hard to see how there are a lot of different birds that are common birds for people around the world. The Will’s Birdbrain Podcast is dedicated to uplifting the amazing lives of average every day birds, such as the navigationally gifted rock dove, or the wickedly clever American crow. But there is something Will didn’t quite consider when creating this show - these are common birds to him. Over the years he has seen listenership grow and has been surprised to see data coming in from all over the world! To celebrate this diverse group of listeners this episode is dedicated to the common and iconic outside of the United States! Joining him for this exciting special episode is none other than fan favorite guest star, Kayta!Kayta and Will buckle in for a whirlwind adventure around the world where they learn about the common and iconic birds of the six other continents, from the most populous bird in the world, the red-billed quelea, to the bizarre secretary bird. As always, these birds are much more than meets the eye!Are you listening from somewhere outside of the United States? If so, please reach out to tell Will where you're tuning in from either on Instagram or via email! This episode is for you, so hopefully you hear about a bird you see often! 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 <--Prefer video content? Check out the Will's Birdbrain Youtube channel! The new series Will's Wild World is out now! --> Youtube <--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]'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 PatreonHuge shoutout to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi,  Karene, Ricardo, and Jeffrey for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show

Have you ever been to a National Wildlife Refuge? Do you know the difference between a National Wildlife Refuge and a National Park? If not, this is the episode for you! Will is joined by Gaby from America's Wildlife Refuges, a nonprofit charged with advocating for and maintaining America's National Wildlife Refuge system. This is no small task - there are over 500 refuges in the country! Together they will share stories about visits to National Wildlife Refuges and try and teach you all about why you should care about these awesome places. This episode also corresponds nicely with the new Will's Birdbrain YouTube channel! On the channel, titled Will's Birdbrain, Will visits his local parks to share history, folklore, and more, all while explaining how special and unique the land in your own backyard can be. What creatures are hidden just out of sight? Head on over to YouTube after you listen to this episode and checkout the series Will's Wild World on the WBB channel!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 <--Prefer video content? Check out the Will's Birdbrain Youtube channel! The new series Will's Wild World is out now! --> Youtube <--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]'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 PatreonHuge shoutout to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi,  Karene, Ricardo, and Jeffrey for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show

"Yank-yank-yank!" That means your birdfeeder is empty in nuthatch! In this episode Will introduces you to the nutty brains of two very familiar sights in the United States - the red-breasted nuthatch and the white-breasted nuthatch! These common birdfeeder birds are known for their acrobatic movements and penchant for hanging upside down. Tune in for some amazing facts about the lives of nuthatches, and tips for identifying them in your backyard!Also explored is the curious history of bird feeding. Where did the modern birdfeeder design come from? Who was the first bird feeder? All of these questions and more will be answered. Do you have a birdfeeder? If so, you'll get some fun tips for attracting nuthatches to your feeder!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 <--Prefer video content? Check out the Will's Birdbrain Youtube channel! The new series Will's Wild World is out now! --> Youtube <--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]'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 PatreonHuge shoutout to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi,  Karene, and Ricardo for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show

Ready for a trip to the Cedar Waxwing Museum? You'll learn an "ear-full" in this episode all about the little silken heroes! Cedar waxwings are a bird that is a familiar sight during the darkest, loneliest time of the year due to their penchant for short migrations. These birds are incredibly social and tend to have a little too much fun at bird parties. Have you ever seen a flock gorging themselves on berries? In this episode Will explores the complex social habits of cedar waxwings and details a couple of fascinating theories biologists around the world have put forth to explain said behavior. Also shared are a few outrageous fun facts, some that just may light up your face. So come on in, no ticket necessary for the Cedar Waxwing Museum!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]'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 PatreonHuge shoutout to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi,  Karene, and Ricardo for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show

Do you know someone you wish cared about birds like you do? Have you ever wondered how to appropriately share rare bird locations? If so, this is the episode  for you! Doug Hitchcox, a Naturalist with the goal of “getting the most people to see the most birds” joins Will for an engaging discussion about the state of "birding." Doug works towards his goal in his professional life, with over a decade of experience as a professional Naturalist working for conversation-based organizations, and personal life, through his educational Youtube channel which explores the curious nuances of the world of birding. Clearly, this passion for birds follows him wherever he goes. Many funny stories and interesting anecdotes are shared, hopefully you can keep up!  Doug's Youtube Page: @dhitchcoxBe 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]'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 PatreonHuge shout out to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi,  Karene, and Ricardo for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show

Attention loyal listeners! Will is going on his annual summer podcasting break! Don't worry, the second half of season three will be here as soon as you can say "the ivory-billed woodpecker is gone forever." In the meantime, here is a bonus episode all about Will's favorite bird and birding moments. Some of the stories just may surprise you!Want to share your own favorite birding moment? Head on over to the WBB Instagram account! There is a video posted asking all to comment their favorite bird experiences. Comments will be shared on the WBB Insta so everyone can share in the joy. Let's hear your favorite moments! 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]'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 PatreonHuge shout out to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi,  Karene, and Ricardo for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show

Attention intrepid birder! Uncle Sam wants YOU to learn about the bald eagle! Join Will as he describes the adventurous, independent, free lives of the bald eagles of the USA. From building gigantic villas of nests, to exploring the nation for years before settling down, bald eagles are much more than your average bird. Also explored are the roots of bald eagle symbolism in American culture. Why is the bald eagle the USA's national bird? Were any other birds considered? What about the native people of the Americas, did they revere eagles at all? You bet! Also shared is a story from the Lenni Lenape tribe about acknowledging good opportunities when they come to you. Make sure you do your patriotic duty and fly on into this episode of the Will's Birdbrain Podcast! While you're at it, please consider leaving a rating or review. It greatly supports the show, and provides encouragement to keep producing episodes! 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]'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 PatreonHuge shout out to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi,  Karene, and Ricardo for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Store inspired by: https://www.nativeamericanembassy.net/www.lenni-lenape.com/www/html/LenapeArchives/LenapeSet-01/wareagle.htmlSupport the show

Want to take a hike with Will's Birdbrain? If the answer is yes, you are in luck! This episode was recorded live on a hike in Westbrook, Maine! Try listening to this relaxing journey when you are unwinding after a long day, try and picture the unique creatures discussed and heard, and imagine the strange plants described... If you enjoy this more "freeform" type of episode be sure to check out the WBB Patreon page! There are exclusive episodes posted there that are similar to this one! This episode Will is joined by relief printmaker Lia, AKA Portmantoad Prints. Lia's work seeks out the silliness in nature and attempts to confuse the limits between plants, animals, and people. Will and Lia discuss how humans have used art as a means of connecting to nature for thousands of years, and the value of creating art today- for money or for the love of it!  Grab a cozy hot beverage, turn down the lights, and imagine you are in a misty forest in southern Maine. You are walking with Will's Birdbrain and his curious guest as they explore the intersections between humanity, nature, and art... oh an bonus points if you can identify all the birds heard in the background by ear! You've been warned, there is a catbird in there at one point!Lia's Webpage: Portmantoad PrintsLia's Instgram: portmantoad.printsBe 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]'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 PatreonHuge shout out to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi,  Karene, and Ricardo for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show

This episode is sweet as nectar because it is all about the ruby-throated hummingbird! Hummingbirds are tiny creatures that have captured the hearts and minds of humans for centuries. They live fast and often die young, making sure to pack in a ton of adventure and excitement while they are around. What can hummingbirds teach us about the way we live our lives? In this episode Will also explores Aztec lore regarding Huītzilōpōchtli, the sun god that often appeared to the native Mexicans as a hummingbird. Who knew such a fierce god would take such a humble form! What other surprises may await in this episode?  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]'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 PatreonHuge shout out to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi,  Karene, and Ricardo for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show

Let's be real, we've all had the dream of being a veterinarian at one point or another. Most of us may have had that dream during childhood, but veterinarian technician Morgan held fast and is living that dream! Morgan joins Will to talk about her journey to becoming a vet tech, share stories from her adventures in the world of conservation, and discuss the role of pets in our lives. This is the first episode of Flock Talk, episodes that are exclusively interviews and conversations with people associated with the world of birding! 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]'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 PatreonHuge shout out to Kayta, Catherine, Josh, Shane, Margi,  Karene, and Ricardo for being Patrons and keeping the common critters in mind!Support the show