Birds on Birds

Hannah Gamble + Cleo Wells
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Nature

A narrative podcast from two bird lovers (and friends) exploring all things bird.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    BoB IRL: Bird Banding

    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

    1h 45m

  2. May 27

    She Walks on Water: The Jacana

    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: JacanidaeWikipedia: Northern JacanaWikipedia: Ramsar ConventionWikipedia: WetlandWikipedia: Wildfowl & Wetlands TrustSan Diego Zoo Animals & Plants: Jacanahttps://ebird.org/species/norjacAnimal Diversity Web: JacanidaeA-Z Animals: Jacanahttps://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/jacani1/cur/introductionhttps://earthsky.org/earth/jacana-birds-long-toes-walk-on-lily-pads/https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/birdnote-daily/jacana-aka-lily-trotterDimensions.com: Northern Jacanahttps://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/lucy-cooke-2/bitch/9781541674912/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-70480-6U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Ramsar Convention on WetlandsUNESCO — Convention on Wetlands of International ImportanceWildfowl & Wetlands Trust — Why the Ramsar Convention Matters More Than EverHoosier Environmental Council — The Ramsar Convention on WetlandsKayhan Life — Obituary: Eskandar Firouzhttps://www.ramsar.org/Colorado Wetland Information Center (CWIC)

    1h 25m

  3. May 20

    Stinky, Clumsy, Claws...? The Hoatzin

    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)

    1h 1m

  4. May 13

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

    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

    1h 13m

  5. May 6

    Bill Lishman AKA Father Goose

    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/

    59 min

  6. Apr 29

    Feathered Flick! Fly Away Home: Canada Goose

    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/

    1h 21m

  7. Apr 22

    Birds on Birds Goes Wild: Sandhill Cranes

    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/overviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl-wAqplQAo&t=6998s Listers Documentary

    1h 28m

  8. Apr 15

    Enemies to Lovers: The Black Billed Magpie

    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)

    1 hr

  9. Apr 8

    Welcome to Birds on Birds!

    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.

    1 min

  10. Apr 8

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

    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

    1h 6m

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A narrative podcast from two bird lovers (and friends) exploring all things bird.

Information

  • Creator
    Hannah Gamble + Cleo Wells
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hannah Gamble + Cleo Wells