Episode description

In the Black Belt region of Alabama, we go on a birding tour and learn about the Swallow-tailed Kite. The  Swallow-tailed Kite’s range in this region decreased rapidly over the past one hundred years, primarily due to habitat loss from agriculture, urban development, and logging. Now protected by the State of Alabama, we visit a family farm where the kites are frequently seen and learn how the ensuing curiosity about the birds has brought new opportunities. Producer Jay Avery brings us this story of a threatened bird, an historically excluded human community, and how they are helping each other.

Related Resources:

Visit the website for Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours
Learn about the Black Belt in Alabama Audubon
See how the Avian Research and Conservation Institute tracks Swallow-tailed Kites
Get an overview of Swallow-tailed Kites on All About Birds
Sustainability Ag-vocate: Christopher Joe of Joe's 
Learn about Christopher Joe of Joe's Black Angus Farm and Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours

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Host & Senior Producer: Ari Daniel
Producer: J. Nailah Avery
Editor: Caitlin Pierce, Rough Cut Collective
Audio mix: Rob Byers, Johnny Vince Evans, and Michael Raphael, Final Final V2
Theme song and original music: Ian Coss
Additional music: Blue Dot Sessions
Content Director: Allison Wilson
Audio and Video Editor: Sam Johnson
Fact-checker and Digital Producer: Conor Gearin
Artwork: Clint McMillen at Braincloud Design