#1,028 Mar. 9, 2025
On our latest show (#1,028 Mar. 9): An Audio Postcard from Key West, Florida; advice about pet fur and bird nests; and a hawk that acts like a heron. Hear it here: Talkinbirds.com/archive
Episodes
Talkin' Birds
Ray Brown's Talkin' Birds is a call-in show of entertaining conversation about wild birds -- attracting them to your back yard, identifying them, feeding them, and learning more about them along the way. Every week, we have contests for prizes like bird feeders and other great bird-related stuff, along with expert guests. So, whether you're an experienced birder, or you're new to birding, listen in, and be part of the show by calling in with a question, sharing some information or observations, or trying for one of our prizes. It's birdwatching--in the backyard and beyond.
Episodes
#1,027 Mar. 2, 2025
On our latest show: Fright molt explained; birding’s Biggest Week; and a true harbinger of spring.
#1,026 Feb. 23, 2025
On our latest show: Rosy Tucker tells us about the marvelous Hog Island Audubon Camp; Mike O’Connor offers an update on why birds rotate their eggs; and we meet the cold-defying Gray-headed Chickadee.
#1,025 Feb. 16, 2025
On our latest show: World Migratory Bird Day; an audio postcard from Tennessee; and advice for pigeon problems.
#1,024 Feb. 9, 2025
On our latest show: a live Whooping Crane report, and a homemade suet recipe from David Clapp; and advice concerning pet fur and nesting birds from Mike O’Connor.
#1,023 Feb. 2, 2025
On our latest show: the silently gliding Short-eared Owl; Mike’s advice on helping birds find your feeders; and the first-ever Blind Birders Bird-a-Thon.
#1,022 Jan. 26, 2025
On our latest show: a bird that fits right in with the big snowfalls in unlikely places; a Science Corner report on birds communicating during nighttime migration flights; and Mike’s explainer about mixed flocks.
#1,021 Jan. 19, 2025
Here's our sort of mid-January installment with a guest making us think we shouldn't complain about the temperatures around here -- she's in Denver, where it was 3-below this morning. On our latest show: We meet the “Chick Chick” from way up north; we learn about what plastic pellets are doing to our oceans; and we get Mike’s advice for your backyard suet plans.
#1,020 Jan. 12, 2025
On our latest show: A rare sighting in an Audio Postcard from Arkansas; a preview of the big San Diego Bird Festival; and Mike O’Connor’s thoughts about hummingbirds up north in January.
#1,019 Jan. 5, 2025
On our latest show (#1,019 Jan. 5): an audio postcard from the Columbian Amazon; an important Wood Thrush tracking project; and Mike O’Connor’s thoughts on the European Starling.
#1,018 Dec. 29, 2024
On our latest show (#1,018 Dec. 29): Part Two of Scott McMorrow's shorebird survey audio postcard from California; Alberta birding guide, Ariane Inman, as our special guest; and a backyard New Year's Resolution idea from Mike O'Connor.
#1,017 Dec. 22, 2024
On our latest show (#/1,017 Dec. 22): Birding as therapy in combating disease, with author Robert Bell; a vegetarian alternative to beef suet, with Mike O’Connor; and new status for the Bald Eagle, courtesy of the U.S. Congress.
#1,016 Dec. 15, 2024
On our latest show: A Great Horned Owl Audio Postcard from Mike O’Connor’s backyard; Mike’s favorite birds to keep him company when he moves to a remote island; and North America’s biggest hawk.
#1,015 Dec. 8, 2024
On our latest show: Wisdom the Albatross does it again; Freya McGregor creates a new way to make birding accessible to all; and we visit the land of the tumblin’ tumbleweed to meet our Featured Feathered Friend.
#1,014 Dec. 1, 2024
On our latest show: Sandhill Cranes in Arizona; expert binocular and scope advice; and the story of an eagle poacher who’s on his way to jail.
#1,013 Nov. 24, 2024
On our latest show, Maddie Carr describes how she met the birding goals of her eight-year-old self, and Mike O’Connor weighs in on a backyard bird dispute. Plus, we meet the Eurasian Eagle-owl, and the Red-billed Chough.
#1,012 Nov. 17, 2024
On our latest show: Birding by Ear with Donna Posont; listening to the beautiful Lawrence’s Goldfinch; and talkin’ turkey with Mike O’Connor.
#1,011 Nov. 10, 2024
On our latest show: a listener audio postcard from New Zealand; Stokes Guide to Finches co-author Matt Young; and Northern Cardinal thoughts from our Mike O’Connor.
#1,010 Nov. 3, 2024
On our latest show: Listener Audio Postcards from Wisconsin and Belize; a Science Corner report on bird behavior; and Mike O’Connor reveals a surprising feeder bird stat.
#1,009 Oct. 27, 2024
On our latest show, we listen to an Acorn Woodpecker audio postcard from California; feature a rare visitor also in the Golden State; and talk with a couple of river heroes from Washington, DC.
#1,008 Oct. 20, 2024
On our latest show: our special guest, Hawaiian avian biologist Bret Nainoa Mossman tells us about his worldwide quest to honor extinct Hawaiian birds, and, ultimately, to save existing threatened birds. Plus, Mike O’Connor talks about hawks falling silent; and we listen to an audio postcard from the famous Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
#1,007 Oct. 13, 2024
On our latest show: An Iowa teacher helps grade 1 through 7 learn about birds and conservation; Mike O’Connor explains what that bird bill-wiping thing is all about; and we hear some October outdoor observations from our friend Al Batt.
#1,006 Oct. 6, 2024
On our latest show (#1,006 Oct. 6): A kingfisher saved from extinction; Grant Sizemore on keeping cats indoors to save birds — and cats; and Mike O’Connor with a review of this year’s winter finch forecast.
#1,005 Sept. 29, 2024
On our latest show, we listen to Great Horned Owls from Colorado, a skulking sparrow from the southeast, and our Freya McGregor on how she keeps birds from crashing into her windows.
#1,004 Sept. 22, 2024
On our latest show: A healing avian audio postcard from Atlanta; how birds’ feathers help deal with city pollutants; and more bird myths shattered by our Mike O’Connor.
#1,003 Sept. 15, 2024
#1,002 Sept. 8, 2024
On our latest show: Birding in the city — and in community gardens; how the steamer ducks got their name; and Wood Storks spreading their wings — and flying north.
#1,001 Sept. 1, 2024
On our latest show: Good birding news from Chicago; avian audio postcards from Florida and Wisconsin; and the rebirth of a great birding magazine.
#1,000 Aug. 25, 2024
On our latest show (#1,000!): We hear memorable bird experience stories from Mike O’Connor, David Clapp, and our Talkin’ Birds team members. Plus, we learn fascinating facts about the Mountain Chickadee, and we listen to an audio postcard from the Ecuadoran rainforest.
#999 Aug. 18, 2024
On our latest show: We talk with Jennifer Ackerman about her newest book and NY Times Best Seller: What An Owl Knows. Plus, we hear some great audio postcards from Arizona and New Hampshire; and Mike explains where all the birds have gone this month.