Get Your Bird On

From a close call at a hotel to the choreography of swallows—an avian excursion with an inspired educator who brings wild bird impressions to TikTok.Ever met a birder so obsessed they missed a robbery while they were held at gunpoint?Meet Fred Werner- ornithologist, inspired science teacher, and master goofball of Costa Rican bird impressions. In this episode, Fred joins me to discuss a life lived at the intersection of rigorous science and avian immersion. We explore the “sky ballet” of swallows, the hilarity of his bird-mimicry videos, and the expansive vision that comes from paying attention to the layers of the natural world. And find out why I’ve nicknamed him the “Steve Martin of Birds.”In this episode:Fred’s TikTok bird shortsWhat Type of Birder Are You? Personality ChartCheck out all the birds here:Barn SwallowCalifornia QuailOspreyMontezuma OropendolaSpectacled OwlHoatzinCommon PotooLesson’s MotmotGreat PotooRed Billed PigeonBlack Faced AntthrushScreaming PihaFerruginous Pygmy OwlSpecial thanks to eBird and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for their amazing database and species resources& Charles Barbieri for superb audio editingRecorded on Coast Miwok Land in Northern California This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit getyourbirdon.substack.com

We're birding from the inside out. Explore the geography of your inner experience, and recognize your unique lens.We’ll look at the personal rhythms and habits that shift how we perceive the birds. It’s an invitation to learn birding from the inside out, and recognize your birding style.To help put words to those experiences, I’ve mapped out the different ways we tend to naturally align with the birds. The chart below is a visual companion to that exploration, acting as a compass for the different energies we bring to the landscape. It’s a tool for recognizing where you’re currently rooted, and identifying the paths that might offer a bit of fresh balance the next time you step outside.Check out the chart below, and see what resonates for you: Are you the Recorder? The Connector? The Ally? And which types make you want to grow in that direction?Beginning birder? You’ll find yourself here too. Just step outside and observe yourself while you’re on the trail. Tell me what you think in the comments! I can’t wait to hear what your type is and how you use the chart.Which Type Are You?Did one of these archetypes resonate with you more than the others? Maybe you’re an “Observer” with a “Tracker” streak? I’d love to hear your thoughts on where you land, and how it changes the way you look at the birds in your life. Leave a comment below and let’s discuss!Coming Up NextDon’t miss our next episode, where I sit down with Fred Werner. We’ll explore his journey as an ornithologist and teacher, and he’ll entertain us with some of the most bizarre and beautiful bird calls you can imagine.Connect with the ShowIf you enjoyed this episode, the best way to support this independent project is to:* Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform.* Share this episode with a friend who loves (or is curious about) the natural world.* Leave a review—it truly helps other bird-curious folks find us!Until next time, get your bird on!Keep your eyes to the sky,Jess This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit getyourbirdon.substack.com

Follow the trail of a mystery bird that turned a quiet hike into an all-consuming search. And- What is 'blurding'? A playful and obsessive look at what happens when nature grabs you and won’t let go.On this journey, we find ourselves caught between two very different characters: the vibrant, high-canopy Western Tanager and the rhythmic and secretive Red-breasted Sapsucker. One thrives on a flash of color; the other leaves a trail on bark you have to read like a map. We’ll dive into their habitats and the clues that define them—exploring the playful curiosity and process of piecing together the stories hidden in the canopy. Can you guess who was tucked in the treetop? And what exactly is “blurding”? Find out in episode 1.Links:Danielle Brigida’s original blog post on Blurding, and her blurd photography“You have to really want to see a Western Tanager…” and excellent photos of that beakSpecial thanks to the birds and the recordists at xeno-canto.org for the following field recordings:Western Tanager, recorded by Thomas Magarian, Creative Commons NCRed-breasted Sapsucker, recorded by Sunny Tseng, Creative Commons NCRed-breasted Sapsucker, recorded by Frank Lambert, Creative Commons NCRed-breasted Sapsucker, recorded by Bobby Wilcox, Creative Commons NCAnd thanks to:Charles BarbieriFred WernerThe Crossley ID Guide by Richard Crossley- our favoriteExperienced and recorded on Coast Miwok Land in Northern California. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit getyourbirdon.substack.com

For the bird-curious: join us as we explore the wild, with everyday experiences and stories that shape our love for birds. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit getyourbirdon.substack.com