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The American Birding Podcast

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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes398Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureHobbiesNatureScience

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Artwork for The American Birding Podcast

Latest Episodes

There are bird species that are extant and those that are extinct, but between those two seemingly immutable categories, lies one hundred odd species of birds that are considered "Lost". This means that they hasn't been documented in many years but h... more

It's the end of May, the season for bald cardinals, baby birds, and buggy birding. But most importantly, it's the last Thursday of the month and that means it's time for This Month in Birding, our monthly panel discussion of bird news and science and... more

The ABA hosted a membership drive livestream earlier this week, and part of the four hours of birdy entertainment was a LIVE version of the American Birding Podcast favorite segment, Take it or Leave it. Panelists Nick Lund and Martha Harbison joined... more

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

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

John Mittermeier
Director of the Search for Lost Birds Project, American Bird Conservancy
American Bird Conservancy (ABC)
Episode: 10-22: Looking for Lost Birds with John Mittermeier
Mikko Jimenez
Bird researcher at Lincoln Park Zoo (Urban Wildlife Institute)
Lincoln Park Zoo / Urban Wildlife Institute
Episode: 10-21: This Month in Birding - May 2026
Jordan Rutter
Founder/representative, American Bird Conservancy; Young Birder of the Year 2026 mention
American Bird Conservancy
Episode: 10-21: This Month in Birding - May 2026
Brodie Cass Talbott
Leader of birding trips and classes, West Coast representative for Bird Alliance of Oregon
Bird Alliance of Oregon
Episode: 10-21: This Month in Birding - May 2026
Stephen Moss
Birder, writer, historian; author of 10 Birds that Changed the World
Author, Birdwatch columnist
Episode: 10-19: Ten Birds that Changed the World with Stephen Moss
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
Jody Allair
Director of Communications for Birds Canada
Birds Canada
Episode: 10-17: This Month in Birding - April 2026
Jennie Duberstein
Coordinator for the International Partnership of Bird Conservation
Sonoran Joint Venture
Episode: 10-17: This Month in Birding - April 2026
Gabriel Foley
Panel member and bird science/conservation expert (unspecified affiliation in transcript)
Episode: 10-17: This Month in Birding - April 2026

Host

Nate Swick
Founder/Host of the show focused on birds, birding culture, and conservation.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 965 ratings
  • No to Politics

    During the interview with 10 birds - obvious political rhetoric started to intrude upon an otherwise decent podcast. Politics has absolutely ZERO place in bird watching. To escape the world and relax myself and others pursue birding. Just us and nature. No left no right no… just us and the birds. Keep the political divisive rhetoric to other podcasts as there are plenty of them. Keep this about birds.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    RNolter
    United States22 days ago
  • 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 States9 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

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the breadth of guests and topics, from science to conservation and birding culture.
Many find the host engaging and the interviews informative, with strong takes on conservation and behavioral topics.
There are concerns about political discussions creeping into episodes and distracting from bird-focused content.
Audio quality and consistency are occasionally praised, but some listeners report volume fluctuations.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#7
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#36
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#20
Canada/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#99
United Kingdom/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#119
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#97
Australia/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

10-21: This Month in Birding - May 2026
Q: Which crest among the World Cup nations is the most compelling from a birding/branding perspective, and why?
The panel analyzes crests from nine countries, weighing authenticity, visual appeal, and branding value, with Japan and Panama highlighted for their unique bird-related symbolism and strong visual identities; Australia also stands out for multi-bird symbolism, while France is humorously noted as an honorable mention.
10-22: Looking for Lost Birds with John Mittermeier
Q: Have you been part of some of these searches?
Yes, with firsthand experiences of searching in challenging habitats, spending extended time in areas and collaborating with local birders, which often yields rediscoveries.
10-22: Looking for Lost Birds with John Mittermeier
Q: So how does a bird get lost?
A combination of factors including near-extinction risk, remote or under-visited regions, taxonomic uncertainties, and natural history making some species elusive. The episode explains a multi-faceted definition beyond simple rarity.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Interests
Professions
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Household Income
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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?

This show centers on birds, birding culture, conservation, and scientific context, featuring a wide range of guests from researchers and authors to museum curators and conservation communicators. Episodes combine in-depth interviews, panel discussions, and practical field insights, often tying bird biology and ecology to policy, urban environments, and community building. Across recent samples, topics span citizen science, storytelling in birding, museum collections, habitat management, and ethical considerations in research, with a recurring emphasis on inclusivity, mentorship, and collaboration between amateurs and professionals. A standout is the breadth of guests and formats, from historical perspectives and conservation wins to innovat... more

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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 398 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. John Mittermeier
2. Mikko Jimenez
3. Jordan Rutter
4. Brodie Cass Talbott
5. Stephen Moss
6. Jenn Lodi-Smith
7. Jody Allair
8. Jennie Duberstein

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