Okay, But... Birds

Dr. Scott Taylor

Climate Change

Birds

Chickadees

Winter Survival Strategies

Bird Behavior

Cold Weather Adaptation

Bird Migration

Evolutionary Biology

Countercurrent Heat Exchange

Bird Coloration

Physiology

Ecosystems

Avian Influenza

H5N1

Bird Watching

Ornithologists

Ecologists

Dinosaur Nuggets

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	32	Founded	8 months ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	NatureEducationScience

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Latest Episodes

Okay, but did birds invent music?

E31. If a bird sings a phrase worthy of Beethoven, is that music, or just biology in a nice outfit? Dr. Hollis Taylor, a violinist, composer, and ornithologist, has spent more than two decades recording and transcribing the songs of the Pied Butcherb... more

16 Jul 2026 • 29 min

Okay, but is the dawn chorus getting quieter?

E30. That wall of birdsong outside your window at sunrise has a name, a structure, and a surprising amount of drama. This week Scott talks with Dr. Dan Mennill, a professor at the University of Windsor who wires whole forests with microphones to eave... more

9 Jul 2026 • 35 min • Most popular

Okay, but what's it like as a bird at the top of the world?

E29. Standing at 11,000 feet, lungs burning, Scott watched birds go about their afternoon in the exact thin air that had nearly taken him out. This week he sits down with Dr. Chris Witt, evolutionary biologist at the University of New Mexico and cura... more

2 Jul 2026 • 34 min

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

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Recent Guests

Carlos Botero

Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin

University of Texas at Austin

Episode: Okay, but does easy living make birds dumber?

Elizabeth Carlen

Evolutionary ecologist and postdoctoral fellow

Living Earth Collaborative, Washington University in St. Louis

Episode: Okay, but... pigeons!

Wenfei Tong

Biologist and author of Bird Love

Episode: Okay, but did birds originate the open relationship?

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?

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 Statesa month 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 States2 months 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 States2 months 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 States2 months ago
Great show
Really well done. Highly recommended.
Apple Podcasts
5
Bayathread
United States2 months 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	#42	United States/Science
Apple Podcasts	#8	Canada/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts	#53	United Kingdom/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts	#54	Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts	#28	Australia/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Okay, but did birds originate the open relationship?

Q: What does cooperative breeding tell us about conflicts and cooperation in nests?

Cooperative breeding shows that groups can involve multiple caregivers and complex social dynamics, where individuals help relatives or unrelated offspring, balancing conflicts over paternity and care against the benefits of increased chick survival.

Okay, but did birds originate the open relationship?

Q: Why do elaborate courtship displays evolve and who drives the choice?

Elaborate displays arise partly from sexual selection, where the best displays increase mating success, and partly as indicators of overall health and genetic quality. Both males and females can drive selection, depending on the species and ecological context.

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.

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. Songbirding
5. BirdNote Daily

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

Okay, But... Birds launched 8 months ago and published 32 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 Botero
2. Elizabeth Carlen
3. Wenfei Tong
4. Carlos Zavalaga
5. Scott Edwards
6. Jessica van der Wal
7. Gunnar Kramer
8. Dr. Danielle Whittaker

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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