Okay, But... Birds

Dr. Scott Taylor

Climate Change

Birds

Winter Survival Strategies

Chickadees

Bird Behavior

Cold Weather Adaptation

Bird Migration

Evolutionary Biology

Countercurrent Heat Exchange

Bird Coloration

Physiology

Bird Watching

Ornithologists

Ecologists

Dinosaur Nuggets

Ecosystems

Avian Influenza

H5N1

Flightless Birds

Cornell Lab Of Ornithology

Hosted by evolutionary biologist Dr. Scott Taylor, Okay, But... Birds explores the drama, brilliance, and science behind bird life. Each snackable 30-minute episode blends smart storytelling, expert interviews, and a touch of humor to reveal how birds shape our world . No jargon. No binoculars required. Just real science, quirky insights, and bird-brained drama you’ll want to share at brunch. Beca... more

132 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	29	Founded	7 months ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	EducationNatureScience

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Guests Host Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

Okay, but does easy living make birds dumber?

E28. A bird's brain is the most expensive thing it owns, and evolution doesn't hand one out for free. Dr. Carlos Botero, Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, has spent a decade tracing what variable, unforgiving environments actu... more

25 Jun 2026 • 32 min

Okay, but... pigeons!

E27. They’ve been called "rats with wings," but pigeons are actually elite athletes, historical icons, and evolutionary marvels. Scott chats with Dr. Elizabeth Carlen, a postdoc at the Living Earth Collaborative at Washington University in St. Louis,... more

18 Jun 2026 • 33 min

Okay, but did birds originate the open relationship?

E26. We borrowed a phrase from human dating and tried to pin it on birds. Turns out they never needed the rulebook. Dr. Wenfei Tong, biologist and author of Bird Love, joins Scott to unpack what bird partnerships actually look like once you stop proj... more

11 Jun 2026 • 35 min • Most popular

Okay, but... boobies!

E25. The blue-footed booby has become an internet personality: cartoon feet, a goofy strut, a name that practically begs to be a punchline. But Scott sat down with Dr. Carlos Zavalaga, Universidad Científica del Sur, and one of the people who first t... more

4 Jun 2026 • 34 min • Popular

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Recent Guests

Carlos Zavalaga

Marine Biologist and Director of the Marine Ecosystem Research Unit and Peruvian Seabird Group at Universidad Científica del Sur in Lima

Universidad Científica del Sur, Peru

Episode: Okay, but... boobies!

Scott Edwards

Professor of Evolutionary Biology at Harvard, ornithologist specializing in the genetics of flightlessness in birds

Harvard University

Episode: Okay, but what about birds that can't fly?

Jessica van der Wal

Behavioral Ecologist and researcher at the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology in South Africa

FitzPatrick Institute / University of Cape Town (context inferred from title)

Episode: Okay, but can a bird really cooperate with humans?

Gunnar Kramer

Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University

Iowa State University

Episode: Okay, but can birds predict the weather?

Dr. Danielle Whittaker

Scientist studying chemical communication in birds

Oregon State University

Episode: Okay, but can birds smell?

Sushma Reddy

Breckenridge Chair of Ornithology at the Bell Museum; Associate Professor in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota

Bell Museum, University of Minnesota

Episode: Okay, but what can we learn from a drawer of birds?

Olivia Sanderfoot

Director of Project FeederWatch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Episode: Okay, but are bird feeders helping or hurting?

Alex Kacelnik

Emeritus professor studying avian cognition and tool use

University of Oxford

Episode: Okay, but what's in a bird's toolbox?

Lucy Aplin

Associate professor at the Australian National University and the University of Zurich; studies animal cognition and culture

Australian National University; University of Zurich

Episode: Okay, but do birds have culture?

Host

Scott Taylor

Host of the show; evolutionary biologist with broad involvement in avian science.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 132 ratings

So fun!!
I love this podcast so much! Thank you for diving deep into birds in a fun and engaging way!!
Apple Podcasts
5
Talkbirdie
United States14 days ago
A squawk and a miss
The only high point is the production. The host is devoid of personality and he is not a good interviewer - letting the guest ramble on drags the show down. The premise is good though.
Apple Podcasts
1
reedc84
United States23 days ago
Love it
I just discovered it and I really love it. I am a home birder and I have friends who love birds, but I love the science and the fun of this particular podcast.
Apple Podcasts
5
Zen sister
United Statesa month ago
A great way to stay current on bird news
The range of topics and quality of the guests make for great listening. And I freaking love this guy. The way he ends every episode with “byyyEEeeEE” gets me every time
Apple Podcasts
5
EvanDrake10
United Statesa month ago
Great show
Really well done. Highly recommended.
Apple Podcasts
5
Bayathread
United Statesa month ago

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Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the engaging, accessible approach to bird science.

Some critique the host's interviewing style as less dynamic, though production remains strong.

Episodes are seen as a reliable source of current bird science and research summaries.

Many say it's educational and entertaining for families and casual listeners alike.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#5	United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts	#36	United States/Science
Apple Podcasts	#10	Canada/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts	#55	United Kingdom/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts	#81	Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts	#17	Italy/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Okay, but what about birds that can't fly?

Q: What drives the loss of flight in so many bird lineages, and how do scientists study this complex trait beyond just looking at DNA sequences?

The loss of flight is not driven by a single gene; it's a mosaic of changes, especially in regulatory regions that control when and where genes are turned on or off during development. Researchers study this by examining non-coding DNA conserved across species, testing enhancers in embryos, and using ancient DNA to connect phenotype with genome evolution.

Okay, but can a bird really cooperate with humans?

Q: How do we know this is true interspecific cooperation rather than humans simply paying attention to a nearby bird?

Cooperation is evidenced by both sides actively influencing each other's behavior to achieve mutual benefit, with the bird emitting a distinctive chattering call to recruit humans and humans using culturally specific signals to follow and share rewards.

Okay, but can a bird really cooperate with humans?

Q: If you could talk about this remarkable partnership between Honeyguides and people and what each side gets out of this, what would you say?

The Greater Honeyguide guides humans to bee nests, in return receiving access to wax and larvae; humans receive honey and the birds benefit from a reliable food source, illustrating a mutualistic relationship that is learned and culturally embedded across regions.

Okay, but can birds smell?

Q: Of course. Most people assume birds do not have a sense of smell. Why is that such a pervasive belief?

The belief stems from two centuries of assumptions and a misinterpretation of brain structure, plus early experiments that didn't account for ecological contexts; recent work shows birds do use smell in meaningful ways, including signaling breeding condition and health through odors.

Okay, but what can we learn from a drawer of birds?

Q: How has genomics changed our understanding of bird evolution compared to traditional morphology?

Genomics can confirm or overturn morphology-based assumptions, showing that some visually similar species are not closely related, while uncovering deep connections that reshape the avian family tree.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Okay, But... Birds

What is Okay, But... Birds about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show combines concise, story-driven science with accessible humor to explore birds and their world. Episodes cover everything from wild field research and evolutionary biology to behavior, cognition, ecology, and conservation, often featuring leading researchers as guests. Its snackable 30-minute format and guest diversity make complex avian science approachable for lay listeners, wildlife enthusiasts, and professionals alike, with a consistent emphasis on why birds matter to ecosystems and everyday life.

A standout aspect is the blend of rigorous science and playful segments, including practical takeaways for homeowners, educators, and amateur naturalists. The show often ties in fieldwork anecdotes and current research questions, off... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Okay, But... Birds?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Okay, But... Birds:

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

How many episodes of Okay, But... Birds are there?

Okay, But... Birds launched 7 months ago and published 29 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 Okay, But... Birds?

Recent guests on Okay, But... Birds include:

1. Carlos Zavalaga
2. Scott Edwards
3. Jessica van der Wal
4. Gunnar Kramer
5. Dr. Danielle Whittaker
6. Sushma Reddy
7. Olivia Sanderfoot
8. Alex Kacelnik

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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