Birds on Birds

BoB IRL: Bird Banding

Hannah Gamble + Cleo Wells — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0600

A century of science packed into a single feather. Hannah + Cleo visit a 20-year-old banding station at Chatfield State Park, where four organizations, a lot of whisper nets, and one very informed bird bander are quietly building the data that keeps birds alive. From Hans Christian Mortensen's aluminum rings to hemisphere-spanning genomic maps, it turns out the oldest trick in ornithology is still the backbone of everything.

26:58 Bird Banding conversation starts

Sources

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies — Bird Banding: https://www.birdconservancy.org/what-we-do/education/bird-banding/

Denver Audubon — Bird Banding: https://www.denveraudubon.org/bird-banding

Audubon Rockies — Bird Banding Start to Finish: https://www.audubon.org/rockies/news/bird-banding-start-finish

USGS — Why We Band Birds: https://www.usgs.gov/labs/bird-banding-laboratory/science/why-we-band-birds

USGS — How to obtain a federal bird banding permit: https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-do-i-obtain-a-federal-bird-banding-permit

Bird Genoscape Project: https://www.birdgenoscape.org

Bird Genoscape Project - How To Make A Genoscape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NmCI6z9vYM

Audubon Bird Migration Explorer: https://explorer.audubon.org

Motus Wildlife Tracking System: https://motus.org

U.S. Fish & Wildlife — Motus Stations: https://www.fws.gov/story/2023-05/motus-stations

NA Banding Network — Training resources: https://nabanding.net/passerines/training/

History of bird banding: https://www.raptorresource.org/2020/06/10/banding-birds-a-brief-history/

USGS Bird Banding Lab — Banding records: https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/Bander_Portal/login/howmany.php

EURING Databank (Europe): https://euring.org/data-and-codes/euring-databank

SAFRING (Africa): https://safring.ringing.africa/

Flight Paths by Rebecca Heisman

She Walks on Water: The Jacana

Hannah Gamble + Cleo Wells — Wed, 27 May 2026 07:00:00 -0600

She walks on water, runs the territory, and leaves dad holding the babies. Hannah + Cleo dive into the Jacana: the Jesus bird of the wetlands who breaks every rule nature supposedly wrote and somehow ended up tied to the oldest conservation treaty in history. And honestly? She's just getting started.

18:18 Jacana conversation starts

Sources:

Wikipedia: Jacanidae
Wikipedia: Northern Jacana
Wikipedia: Ramsar Convention
Wikipedia: Wetland
Wikipedia: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants: Jacana
https://ebird.org/species/norjac
Animal Diversity Web: Jacanidae
A-Z Animals: Jacana
https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/jacani1/cur/introduction
https://earthsky.org/earth/jacana-birds-long-toes-walk-on-lily-pads/
https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/jacana-aka-lily-trotter
Dimensions.com: Northern Jacana
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/lucy-cooke-2/bitch/9781541674912/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-70480-6
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
UNESCO — Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust — Why the Ramsar Convention Matters More Than Ever
Hoosier Environmental Council — The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Kayhan Life — Obituary: Eskandar Firouz
https://www.ramsar.org/
Colorado Wetland Information Center (CWIC)

Stinky, Clumsy, Claws...? The Hoatzin

Hannah Gamble + Cleo Wells — Wed, 20 May 2026 07:00:00 -0600

The stink bird! Hannah + Cleo finally get out of North America and take on the Hoatzin. The smelly punk rock pheasant of South America that may or may not be a pheasant... Tune in to hear about this and MUCH more.

20:10 Hoatzin conversation starts

Sources:

https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/hoatzi1/cur/introduction

https://www.ourbreathingplanet.com/hoatzin/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1602607328&gbraid=0AAAAADL0VgAHYIovTdN6qkMJD-vfUiOze&gclid=Cj0KCQjw77bPBhC_ARIsAGAjjV-InO0SQfBrTnO_1vbmGGnlkZuEW_C9f9E8RNPesjLD2jA435JksfwaAqGSEALw_wcB

https://critter.science/the-unusual-and-stinky-hoatzin/

https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/common-tern-chicks/#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20stay%20warm,down%20feathers%20natal%20down%20nesting

https://www.livescience.com/animals/birds/hoatzin-the-strange-stinkbird-born-with-clawed-wings-that-appears-to-be-an-evolutionary-orphan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HytWfqWYUQ&t=88s

https://a-z-animals.com/articles/meet-the-hoatzin-the-smelly-bird-with-claws-on-its-wings/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crop_(anatomy)

Heated Rivalry of the Wetlands: Marsh Wren vs Red-Winged Blackbird

Hannah Gamble + Cleo Wells — Wed, 13 May 2026 07:00:00 -0600

Two birds. One marsh. Centuries of hate. Hannah + Cleo break down the red-winged blackbird, the marsh wren, and their extremely heated rivalry while drawing comparisons to Heated Rivalry™️.

19:30 Heated Rivalry Gets Hot

Audubon Society. "Red-Winged Blackbird." Audubon Field Guide. audubon.org

Audubon Society. "10 Fun Facts About the Red-Winged Blackbird." Audubon Magazine. audubon.org

Audubon Society. "Marsh Wren." Audubon Field Guide. audubon.org

Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "Red-Winged Blackbird." All About Birds. allaboutbirds.org

Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "Marsh Wren." All About Birds. allaboutbirds.org

Smithsonian's National Zoo. "Red-Winged Blackbird." nationalzoo.si.edu

Wikipedia contributors. "Red-Winged Blackbird." Wikipedia. wikipedia.org

Wikipedia contributors. "Marsh Wren." Wikipedia. wikipedia.org

Picman, J. (1988). "Aggression by red-winged blackbirds towards marsh wrens." Canadian Journal of Zoology, 61(8), 1591–1595. springer.com

Springer Nature. "Antipredator role of clumped nesting by marsh-nesting red-winged blackbirds." Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. springer.com

Bill Lishman AKA Father Goose

Hannah Gamble + Cleo Wells — Wed, 06 May 2026 07:00:00 -0600

BoB takes on their first conservationist! Join Hannah + Cleo this week for a semi-unexpected part 2 of Canada Geese and Fly Away Home as they deep dive into the man the movie is based on, the magical and wonderful Bill Lishman.

20:20 Discussion Bill Lishman Begins

Remembering artist Bill Lishman, the man who flew with Canadian geese | CBC Radio

https://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/11/harris_lishman.php

https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/bill-lishman

https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/operation-migration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bOoDDro3Pw

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231130-the-scientists-flying-with-rare-birds

https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2025-06/2025-wintering-whooping-crane-count#:~:text=The%20latest%20survey%20results%20from,for%20the%202024%2D2025%20season.

https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/women-and-education

https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/canadian-honours/meritorious-service-decorations-civil-division

https://www.divebombindustries.com/blogs/news/how-fast-can-geese-fly-facts-about-their-speed-and-endurance?srsltid=AfmBOoq4lBv_UdEOg0-yGfNQ8xgbwG7Fghvm_zfrXuimUZZuLBuV_gwt

https://williamlishmanartist.com/underground-architecture/

Feathered Flick! Fly Away Home: Canada Goose

Hannah Gamble + Cleo Wells — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0600

BoB recaps our first Feathered Flick! Join Hannah + Cleo as they talk about the 90's classic Fly Away Home. Where they learn alongside Anna Paquin and Jeff Daniels all about ultralight aircraft flying, family dynamics, Canada(kinda...), and Canada geese.

10:40 Movie discussion begins

Sources:
http://audubon.org/magazine/10-fun-facts-about-canada-goose

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/migratory-bird-conservation/managing-conflicts/frequently-asked-questions.html

https://arctic.noaa.gov/report-card/report-card-2022/arctic-geese-of-north-america/

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Canada_Goose/maps-range

https://gogeesego.com/how-far-geese-winter/

https://birdfact.com/articles/what-is-a-group-of-geese-called

https://www.iflscience.com/fact-check-do-geese-have-teeth-heres-what-geese-teeth-really-are-62640

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116329/

Birds on Birds Goes Wild: Sandhill Cranes

Hannah Gamble + Cleo Wells — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0600

BoB goes on their first birding adventure! Join Hannah + Cleo as they talk about their harrowing journey to Colorado's tiny potato town, Monte Vista to see the Sandhill crane migration.

21:09 Crane Festival Conversation Starts

Sources:
savingcranes.org
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/cranes/sandhill-crane/

https://suncoastsearchlight.org/fact-brief-hunt-eat-sandhill-cranes-florida/
Dr. Diana Boon, DVM Avian Anatomy Lecture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWMmyVu1ueY Avian Respiratory System
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW6d93GBtEE Avian Wings
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane/overview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl-wAqplQAo&t=6998s Listers Documentary

Enemies to Lovers: The Black Billed Magpie

Hannah Gamble + Cleo Wells — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0600

Decidedly NOT a mocking bird, the black billed magpie! A beautiful and misunderstood North American bird. Often known for its mischief (see what I did there) and iridescence. Join us as we explore the true nature of the black billed magpie.

Timestamps:
4:10 - 10:20 Birds 101 Audubon Class Recap
25:45 Magpie Discussion Begins

Sources:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology. All About Birds: Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia).

Audubon Society. Black-billed Magpie Field Guide.

eBird. Species Profile: Black-billed Magpie.

White House Historical Association. Painting of President Thomas Jefferson and His Magpie.

Observational and peer-reviewed research on corvid mobbing behavior and social intelligence

Documented accounts of corvid mourning and death-response behavior

Cultural references to magpies in folklore ("One for Sorrow")

Pop culture commentary on Ben Affleck and the "Sadfleck" phenomenon (The New Yorker and related media)

Welcome to Birds on Birds!

Hannah Gamble + Cleo Wells — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0600

Welcome to Birds on Birds! Our ornithological odyssey, our bird watching, bird brained, storytelling, all-out learning adventure podcast! Stick around while we swan dive into all things bird, from the feathered freaks themselves to the movies that star them, it's all on the table here at Birds on Birds.

Mystery! What bird lives on Cleo's patio: American Robin

Hannah Gamble + Cleo Wells — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0600

Cleo just moved into their new apartment only to discover a strange sound coming from their patio at 4 am... Who could it be but the darling American Robin. Known and loved. Join us as Cleo unravels the mystery using the scientific method and we tell you what we learn about this American icon.
Sources for this episode:
https://avianreport.com/backyard-feeder-birds-in-colorado-guide/#backyard-feeder-birds-in-colorado

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke0aLA_3bM4

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/id?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=700423892&gbraid=0AAAAADzNbpwnCMDr6rkS7glOH2sDeG9RL&gclid=Cj0KCQiAx8PKBhD1ARIsAKsmGbfK13ZzOpLnUb4oSnzaSmvemNarijnvERKF3A4XdWarlMWT5KIKbUQaAu5EEALw_wcB

https://abcbirds.org/birds/american-robin/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=713124682&gbraid=0AAAAADdd1mXo23QiRMXamLso9dS6AnIdH&gclid=CjwKCAiA4KfLBhB0EiwAUY7GAS8CJ1aLLtmecicVJ_tUexfbBztiD6FIPtPYGXucbFLG77LMROvSLxoCdUwQAvD_BwE

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/overview

https://www.audubon.org/magazine/10-fun-facts-about-american-robin