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More bird chemistry?! episode artwork

Mar 26, 2026 35 min

More bird chemistry?!

from Chemistry For Your Life Hosted by Bleav + For Your Life

Birds… but chemistry. What does compost have to do with eggs? How are birds basically doing chemistry experiments to make their colors? Why would a bird eat dirt… or rub ants all over itself?? This episode is a grab bag of wild, fascinating bird facts that connect back to chemistry you already know. No quiz, just vibes. Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife 00:00 Bird Chemistry Vibes 02:02 Compost Egg Incubators 02:58 Feather Colors Chemistry 06:20 Seeing Ultraviolet Light 08:11 Clay Eating Detox Trick 09:28 Hot Bodies Fast Reactions 14:23 Preening Oil Waterproofing 16:15 Rainy Day Birdwatching 16:44 Anting Bird Hygiene 19:17 Seabird Feather Sunscreen 20:14 More Bird Chemistry Ahead 20:41 Bird Phobia Banter 21:19 Documentary Media Swap 22:22 Mississippi Kite Swoops 28:19 Do Birds Recognize Faces 31:12 Photo IDs and Backyard Hawks 32:34 Chicken Show Family Lore 33:00 Wrap Up and Support Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife References from the Episode: Ornithology by Gill & Prum https://experts.umn.edu/en/publications/more-than-eating-dirt-a-review-of-avian-geophagy/ Thanks to our monthly supporters Amanda Raymond Emily Morrison Kyle McCray Justine Emily Hardy Ash Vince W Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Dorien VD Scott Beyer Jessie Reder J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

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What does compost have to do with eggs? How are birds basically doing chemistry experiments to make their colors? Why would a bird eat dirt… or rub ants all over itself?? This episode is a grab bag of wild, fascinating bird facts that connect back to chemistry you already know. No quiz, just vibes.

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More bird chemistry?!

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This episode was published on March 26, 2026.

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