13: The Queen of Bird Sh*t: Badass Birding Stories from Laura Erickson

We first reached out to birding expert Laura Erickson to talk about the birds of Harry Potter (check out episode 11!). This episode—the second half of our conversation with her—is filled with her inspirational perspective on life, relatable observations about birding as a hobby, and stories you really have to hear from her in order to believe them. Laura’s been watching birds since 1953, but it took two decades and several spark birds (which we’ll discuss) to get out there birding. She’s written more than a dozen books about birds, including National Geographic’s Pocket Guide to the Birds of North America, the American Birding Association’s Field Guide to Birds of Minnesota, and the one she considers most important, 101 Ways to Help Birds. Laura is the first—and, regrettably, only—woman to win the American Birding Association’s highest honor: the Roger Tory Peterson Award for Promoting the Cause of Birding. If you stick around until the end of this episode, you’ll also learn why she’s the self-proclaimed Queen of Bird Shit, which we totally agree with. USEFUL RESOURCESLaura's amazing website (DUH), including the 101 Ways to Help BirdsThe rehab center that took care of Archimedes the Eastern Screech-Owl: Back to the Wild Wildlife Rehabilitation CenterRobert Nero's book on Great Gray OwlsJennifer Ackerman's brilliant book, The Genius of BirdsLaura's favorite birding guide, The Golden GuideImprove your warbler identification—and songs!—with The Warbler GuideGet yo'self some bird-friendly, Smithsonian-certified COFFEEBIRDS WE MENTIONED (IN ORDER)Eastern Screech-Owl (Laura's owl!)Northern GoshawksSharp-shinned HawkGreat Horned OwlBlack-Capped ChickadeeAmerican RobinGreat Gray OwlWoodhouse's Scrub-JayHouse SparrowRock PigeonNorthern CardinalBlue JayOvenbirdYellow WarblerChestnut-sided WarblerAmerican RedstartPacific Golden-PloverSupport the show