BirdNote Daily

Black Rails are marsh-inhabiting birds, more often heard than seen. Many Black Rails nest in marshes along the Atlantic seaboard and in the Midwest. But in winter they concentrate in the coastal marshes of East Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, areas that face many threats. Sadly, according to the 2025 State of the Birds Report, Black Rail populations are perilously low and continue to decline. In recent decades, the enactment of laws protecting wetlands has improved the bird's prospects.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. 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.

Short bursts of birdsong help tell two similar finches apart. One species sings jumbled phrases with a sharp, buzzy note during breeding. The other delivers smoother, faster melodies without the buzzy tone. Audio comparisons highlight the contrasting vocal patterns.

Xavi Bou, a photographer who time-stitches bird movement, discusses his book Ornithographies. He explains his technique of tracing flight paths from film. He focuses on European starlings and the mesmerizing murmurations they form. He also explores how predator interactions, like falcons, shape and disrupt flock dynamics.

A New Zealand forest filled with ringing bellbirds and their communal dawn chorus. Descriptions of the bellbird's mossy green plumage and indigenous names. Snippets about pairs duetting and counter-singing to mark territory. Notes on historic declines from introduced predators and recovery where control efforts exist.

A surprising Arctic migration story about pink-footed geese summering on Novaya Zemlya. GPS tracking reveals a new route from Finland to the archipelago. Warmer temperatures and food competition are reshaping breeding ranges. There may even be cultural information traveling between different waterfowl species.

Birds use dirt as a personal-care tool, scraping and flicking dust to clean their feathers. The show describes specific dust-bathing behaviors like shimmying, rubbing the neck, and flicking soil. Scientific experiments demonstrating benefits for plumage oils and dandruff are highlighted. The narrative follows seasonal patterns and varied techniques across species.

Scientists uncovered a 73-million-year-old Arctic nesting site with adult birds and hatchlings preserved together. Fossils include toothed, gull-like and loon-like avians that once bred under 24-hour summer daylight. Researchers discuss how ancient birds exploited abundant Arctic food and what traits may have helped them survive deep-time challenges.

A look at why bird song patterns differ across climates. In temperate regions males often sing to claim short breeding territories. In the tropics, year-round territories mean females frequently sing and sometimes duet with males. Examples like the bay wren illustrate how common female song is worldwide.

A concise dive into how birds keep their feathers healthy through preening. Short scenes describe the beak techniques that align feather barbules and remove dirt and parasites. The role of the preen gland and feather oil is explained. Clever strategies for reaching the head and neck, including mutual grooming, are highlighted.

A lively look at how bird physiology powers flight. Short takes on dinosaur ancestry and warm-bloodedness. Notes on high body temperatures and oversized four-chambered hearts. Fascinating comparisons of heart rates, from hummingbirds to pigeons versus humans.