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The American Birding Podcast

American Birding Association
Birding
Bird Conservation
Conservation
Climate Change
Ebird
Birding Community
Birds
Bird Behavior
American Birding Association
Rare Birds
Bird Taxonomy
Birding Magazine
Gulls
Golden-Winged Warbler
South America
Eponymous Bird Names
Warbling Vireo
Horned Lark
Bird Intelligence
American Bittern

The American Birding Podcast brings together staff and friends of the American Birding Association as we talk about birds, birding, travel and conservation in North America and beyond. Join host Nate Swick every Thursday for news and happenings, recent rarities, guests from around the birding world, and features of interest to every birder.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes395Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HobbiesScienceLeisureNature

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Artwork for The American Birding Podcast

Latest Episodes

Birds and humanity have interacted for as long as there has been humanity, and various bird species have proven to be constants, influencing mythologies, religions, art, economics, and even warfare. Natural history, as it turns out, is human history,... more

The concept of the "spark bird", the transformative moment with a particular species that turns you from a normal person into a real-deal birder, is one that many birders are familiar with. These personal testimonies frequently tell you as much about... more

It's the end of April and that means it's time again for another This Month in Birding panel with a great group of birding friends joining host Nate Swick to talk about recent birding news and science. Jody Allair, Gabriel Foley, and Jennie Duberstei... more

Pishing, mob tapes, and playback are all tools that birders frequently use to supplement their birding experience, be it to show other birders a great bird or to bring birds close for photographs. They have typically been seen in the community as ben... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jenn Lodi-Smith
Creator of the Spark Bird Project; Professor of Psychology at Canisius University; Scholar in Residence at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute
Canisius University; Roger Tory Peterson Institute
Episode: 10-18: Sharing Spark Birds with Jenn Lodi-Smith
Gabriel Foley
Panel member and bird science/conservation expert (unspecified affiliation in transcript)
Episode: 10-17: This Month in Birding - April 2026
Marty Freeland
Researcher at Stanford University
Stanford University
Episode: 10-16: Mob Tape Malpractice? with Marty Freeland
Scott Weidensaul
Author of The Return of the Oystercatcher, Saving Birds to Save the Planet
Author/Conservationist
Episode: 10-15: Saving Birds to Save the Planet with Scott Weidensaul
Janet Ng
Wildlife ecologist studying the effects of industrial incursions on raptors
Canadian Wildlife Service (based in Saskatchewan)
Episode: 10-14: How to be Hawky with Janet Ng
James H. McCommons
Author of The Feather Wars and The Great Crusade to Save America's Birds
Author
Episode: 10-11: The Feather Wars with James H. McCommons
Florence Merriam
Figure discussed in the book; historical figure associated with early bird study
Episode: 10-11: The Feather Wars with James H. McCommons
Nick Mason
Curator of LSU Museum of Natural History Bird Collection
Louisiana State University
Episode: 10-10: Bird Collections, From the Inside, with Nick Mason
Nick Lund
Author of World Without Birds
Author, World Without Birds
Episode: 10-09: World Without Birds with Nick Lund

Host

Nate Swick
Host and birding enthusiast, known for his engaging discussions about birding news, conservation, and expert interviews.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 965 ratings
  • November birds

    Really enjoyed the discussion of birds especially the grebes and alligators and the wonderful snow bunting - almost lyrical description of risk versus benefit.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mpkfeedback
    United States6 months ago
  • First Timer

    I just listened to the podcast of the Gray Headed Chickadee. I’m new to birding, about a month. Went on vacation and just stayed local. Went to Cape May NJ which is less than an hour from my home and my wife and I explored the area and took a habitat tour which talked all about birds. Very interesting and relaxing. My first bird to ID was the Sanderling. Became an ABA member to learn more. Then ran into this podcast from the ABA website. One can learn a lot listening to podcasts I believe. You k... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RNolter
    United States8 months ago
  • Volume variation is hard for headphones! Love the show though

    I love listening to this podcast but I often find myself turning it off because sometimes the audio is super quiet and then it immediately gets super loud, so when I listen in my earbuds it kinda hurts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Adaleakhoo
    United Statesa year ago
  • Bird in my area after fire

    During the fire Buckhannon 2022 I think here in Western part of Virginia. The smoke was heavy here in Lexington even but as I watched, there must’ve been 25 or 30 new birds in my yard. What I noticed first was 8 to 10 woodpeckers which was an unusual site. also noticed a reduction of hummingbirds the following year.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    wovenart
    United Statesa year ago
  • Appreciate focus on conservation

    It's a tough world out there for birds. Kudos to Nate for his efforts to educate and inspire. Like it or not, human activities do impact birds, and I appreciate this podcast for giving listeners context for understanding what birds are where, and why. I learn something important from each episode. Keep up the good work!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dogmom15
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The format has received praise for its knowledgeable and diverse guests, making each episode informative and engaging for both new and seasoned birders.
Listeners appreciate the engaging discussions on a wide variety of bird-related topics, which often include historical insights and conservation efforts.
Some critiques focus on the occasional political tones in discussions, which not all listeners appreciate, but many still find value in the insights shared by experts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#8
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#63
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#33
Canada/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#117
United Kingdom/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#232
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#62
Australia/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

10-18: Sharing Spark Birds with Jenn Lodi-Smith
Q: How do you solicit Spark Bird stories?
Stories are collected through multiple channels including recordings, written submissions, and workshops, with flexible formats to accommodate different participants; there are five Spark story slots plus additional space for other bird stories.
10-16: Mob Tape Malpractice? with Marty Freeland
Q: What ethical safeguards are in place for playback studies?
Permitting processes involve Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees, reserve managers, and prior regulated studies to ensure the approach is circumscribed and justified, minimizing potential harm to birds.
10-16: Mob Tape Malpractice? with Marty Freeland
Q: How do researchers study the effects of mob tapes in the field?
They combine transects, passive acoustic monitoring with audio moths, and, where possible, bird banding data to compare detections, body condition, and stress indicators across times with and without mob tape.
10-16: Mob Tape Malpractice? with Marty Freeland
Q: What are the primary scientific questions researchers are asking about mob tapes?
The two central questions are whether mob tapes are effective at eliciting responses and whether they negatively impact birds, with researchers also probing which species are affected and under what conditions.
10-14: How to be Hawky with Janet Ng
Q: How do habitat changes influence ferruginous hawk nesting and survival in Alberta and Saskatchewan?
Her research shows that high-density oil-well areas are less favorable for nesting, while landscapes with a mix of native grassland and cropland support hawks by providing edge habitats and hunting opportunities.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The American Birding Podcast

What is The American Birding Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on avian topics, the discussion covers various aspects of birding, including notable species, conservation efforts, and travel experiences related to birdwatching. The show frequently features expert guests who share insights on specific birds, ecological dynamics, and ornithological research, making it a rich resource for bird enthusiasts and professionals alike. Unique elements include engaging community discussions, personal anecdotes, and a mix of light-hearted and serious tones in addressing bird-related issues.

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How many listeners does The American Birding Podcast get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The American Birding Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The American Birding Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The American Birding Podcast:

1. Life List: A Birding Podcast
2. The Science of Birds
3. The Warblers by Birds Canada
4. BirdNote Daily
5. Okay, But... Birds

How many episodes of The American Birding Podcast are there?

The American Birding Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 395 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The American Birding Podcast?

Recent guests on The American Birding Podcast include:

1. Jenn Lodi-Smith
2. Gabriel Foley
3. Marty Freeland
4. Scott Weidensaul
5. Janet Ng
6. James H. McCommons
7. Florence Merriam
8. Nick Mason

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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