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The Bird BriefS2 E13: Bird Mnemonics - Time To Talk Like A BirdWelcome back to the Bird Brief, this is Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist. This will be our last episode of the season! We are wrapping up this season with something a little different. Today we’re literally singing with the birds where I’ll teach you mnemonics for four different bird species that, if you live in North America, you probably hear every day (minus the owl, of course). Let’s get started.Bird Sound: Great Horned Owl 01 Song US-CA. William R. Fish, Macaulay Library. The Cornell Guide to Bird Sounds: United States and Canada (v2021...2025-04-1504 minThe Bird BriefS2 E12: Snakeskins Boost Nest Success & Distant Weather Shapes MigrationWelcome to The Bird Brief, where we do a quick dive into the latest news and research on birds. I'm Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist, and migration is right around the corner – so, in this episode, we’re going to look at how climate change is reshaping bird migration, from NASA’s new study on global climate patterns influencing migration routes to the challenges birds face as spring arrives earlier each year. We'll also uncover a fascinating nesting trick used by cavity-nesting birds and celebrate the hopeful recovery of the turtle dove after decades of decline. Let’s do this.2025-03-2105 minThe Bird BriefS2 E11: Owl Paparazzi and Birds Emitting BioluminescenceToday we are going to learn about Birds of Paradise species that emit bioluminescence, the owl papparazzi creating a frenzy around owls during the recent owl irruption near the Great Lakes, and why you should be protecting your hearing right now. Let’s get started!Stories:https://www.startribune.com/how-tech-is-helping-to-protect-minnesota-birds-from-minnesota-birders/601227681 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/12/many-birds-of-paradise-species-emit-light-through-their-plumage-study-finds https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.241905 Links to Ear Protection:Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs, 7 Pair + Case – (NRR 33 dB Highest NRR). https://amzn.to/3Xn2xrN 3M PELTOR Ear...2025-03-0705 minThe Bird BriefS2 E10: Machine Learning Is For The BirdsToday, we are going to talk with Zan Aslett, a remote sensing scientist and geophysicist with deep expertise in analyzing large datasets—like those 18,300 hours of recordings scientists used to uncover why birds call out during their seemingly solitary nighttime migrations. Definitely go back and listen to Episode 9 if you missed it! With Zan’s help, we’re going to break down how machine learning was applied to this enormous dataset and get a few tips on how to use ChatGPT that are truly gamechangers for our everyday lives. Oh, and Zan is rather importantly my husband — but don’t hold that...2025-02-2109 minThe Bird BriefS2 E9: Why do solitary songbirds call when migrating at night?Welcome back to the Bird Brief, this is Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist. Today let’s dive into songbird migration and how their seemingly solitary nocturnal travel is more cooperative and social than we thought!Stories:https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/migrating-birds-sing-to-team-up-with-other-species/ https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(24)01701-9 Bird Sound:Swainson’s Thrush, nocturnal flight call. Paul Driver, XC771098. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/771098.Music: The Weeknd from wish by Lundstroem is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License. https://freemusicarchive.org/music/lundstroem/songs-i-regard-terrible/the-we...2025-02-0703 minThe Bird BriefS2 E8: Hummingbird Torpor, Airports as Bird Migration Hubs, and Vulture DoomsdayWelcome back to the Bird Brief, this is Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist. Today let’s dive into what’s driving bird strikes at airports, hummingbirds and their psychic torpor, and black vultures creating literal doomsday for high schoolers. Again I want to give a shout out to my preschool son for asking the hard questions on this episode – Thanks man!Stories:2025-01-2405 minThe Bird BriefS2 E7: A Bird Police Squads that Fights Drones, and the Oldest Living Bird!Welcome back to the Bird Brief, this is Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist. We are starting 2025 off right with stories of a raptor police squad in India, the oldest living bird, and how the Bald Eagle just become the US national bird (what?!).Before we get started, I wanted to give a shoutout to my preschool son for absolutely rocking the intro on this episode. Thanks man! Stories:https://indianexpress.com/article/long-reads/telangana-birds-hunt-rogue-drones-garuda-squad-9749501/https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/05/us/74-years-old-wisdom-albatross-laid-egg-intl-hnk/index.html https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/na...2025-01-1004 minThe Bird BriefS2 E6: Wildlife Research and the Birds Aren't Real ConspiracyWelcome back to the Bird Brief, this is Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist. This Pre-Christmas edition is about a viral conspiracy, wildlife research, and the wild crossover between satire and science. Let’s get started. Stories:https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2024/11/12/dead-birds-drones-new-mexico-tech-research/76197212007/ https://dot.alaska.gov/faiiap/meet-aurora.shtml Bird Sound:Rock Pigeon (Columba livia); Recorded by Paul Marvin/Macaulay Library; Dec 2017; ML108565061.Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus); Recorded by Dominic Garcia-Hall/Macaulay Library; Jan 2018; ML81397411.Mallard. Martin Billard, XC881155. Accessible at www.x...2024-12-1302 minThe Bird BriefS2 E5: The penguin who went from the Antarctic to the Outback...and Back. Happy Thanksgiving and welcome back to Season 2, Episode 5 of The Bird Brief! This is Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist giving you the rundown on the most recent happenings in birds, both in popular news and published research throughout the world. This Thanksgiving edition will be super brief, just one story about Gus, the emperor penguin that made it to outback…and back. Let’s get started.Stories:https://apnews.com/article/australia-emperor-penguin-released-84319f95da162330da3265232c1fcfc1https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/emperor-penguin-found-australia-tourist-beach-malnourished-denmark-rcna179726 Bird Sound:Emperor Pengui...2024-11-2902 minThe Bird BriefS2 E4: Australia Fights the Flu, Conservation Wins, and Lockdown Habits That Were For The BirdsWelcome back to Episode 4 of The Bird Brief, this is Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist giving you the rundown on the most recent happenings in birds, both in popular news and published research throughout the world. Stories:https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-commits-64-mln-protect-against-looming-bird-flu-threat-2024-10-13/ AND https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/sep/17/deadly-avian-flu-strain-could-enter-australia-via-thieving-migratory-birds-scientists-warn https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0287116https://www.newscientist.com/article/2451606-france-slashed-bird-flu-outbreaks-by-vaccinating-ducks/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4y42y5wn4o https://www.thecooldown.com/outdoors/birds-climate-change-behavior-north-america/ https://phys.org/news/2024-10-microplastic-free-carrier-pesticides-potential.html 2024-11-1504 minThe Bird BriefS2 E3: The Oldest Known Birds, Migration Myths, Neonicotinoids, and a Murder Mystery Welcome back to The Bird Brief, this is Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist giving you the rundown on the most recent happenings in birds, both in popular news and published research throughout the world. This episode falls in that spooky time of year, so in that vein - we are going to unearth the oldest known birds, talk about migration myths, even say the word neonicotinoid, and end with a murder mystery at 10,000 feet. Let's get started. Stories:https://dnyuz.com/2024/10/23/a-feathered-murder-mystery-at-10000-feet/ AND https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/science/birds-migration-10000-feet-predator.html http...2024-11-0104 minThe Bird BriefS2 E2: Bilingual Birds, Kittiwakes That Love 3D Prints of Themselves, and The Most Dangerous Chicks In The World Have Hatched!Welcome to The Bird Brief, this is Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist giving you the rundown on the most recent happenings in birds, both in popular news and published research throughout the world. Today, we’ll explore everything from bilingual parrots to chicks of the most dangerous birds in existence to increasing nesting occupancy using 3D printing. Let’s get started!Stories: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czdpe7n7l50o https://www.sciencealert.com/something-strange-is-happening-to-the-calls-of-amazon-parrots and https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.0659 https://www.voxelmatters.com/3d-printing-encourages-bird-repopulation-in-suffolk/https://phys.org/new...2024-10-1803 minThe Bird BriefS2 E1: Tropical Cyclones, Drug Trafficking, Superbugs, and How Birds Can See Wind Turbines Better!Welcome back to a new season of the The Bird Brief! This is Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist, giving you the rundown on the most recent happenings in birds, both in popular news and published research throughout the world. Today we have cover everything from birds that crave tropical cyclones to the effects of drug trafficking on birds and how birds can see wind turbines better. Let's get started. Stories:https://phys.org/news/2024-06-cocaine-trafficking-threatens-critical-bird.html and https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-024-01365-z https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/desertas-petrels-chase-hurricanes and h...2024-10-0304 minThe Bird BriefEpisode 7: New hummingbird species, endangered birds and the pet trade, and a record setting feather!Welcome to Episode 7 of the Bird Brief. I'm Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist, here to bring you the latest on birds from news and research around the globe. Today’s episode will range from a new hummingbird species, the plight of the critically endangered laughingthrush, and a record setting feather. For the love of birds let’s get started.Stories:https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/14/world/giant-hummingbirds-new-species-backpacks-scn/index.html https://phys.org/news/2024-05-critically-endangered-bird-greater-captivity.html#google_vignette https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/humans-are-driving-a-new-kind-of-evolution-in-animals/ https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/21/style/huia-feather-sold-new-zealand-intl-scli/index.h...2024-06-0306 minThe Bird BriefEpisode 6: Geomagnetic storms, bird flu, and migrating shorebirds in Africa!Welcome to Episode 6 of the Bird Brief. I'm Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist, here to bring you the latest on birds from news and research around the globe. Today, we're discussing everything from geomagnetic storms, to bird flu outbreaks, to migrating shorebirds in Africa. All in just five minutes. Before we start, a quick note: I'm new to mixing sound and audio equipment needed to produce a podcast,so thanks for bearing with the quirky sound quality in the last part of the show. For the love of birds let’s get started.Stories:https://ww...2024-05-1904 minThe Bird BriefEpisode 5: Birds with Prostheses, Plumage Color in China, Gull Screeching Contest Winner, and the Oldest Bird in the WorldWelcome to Episode 5 of the Bird Brief! This is Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist giving you the rundown on the most recent happenings in birds, both in popular news and published research throughout the world. Today’s episode will range from 3D printed prosthetics for birds, plumage color changes due to humans, an atypical champion of a gul screeching contest, and the oldest living bird in the world. You will be up to date in just five minutes. Let’s get started.Stories:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-58762-9 https://www.s...2024-05-0404 minThe Bird BriefEpisode 4: Owls, Chickadees, and do birds care about the Eclipse?Welcome to Episode 4 of the Bird Brief. This is Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist and former intelligence analyst for the Department of Defense giving you the rundown on the most recent happenings in birds, both in popular news and published research throughout the world. Today’s episode will include the plan to remove half a million barred owls from Pacific Northwest forests, the phenomenal memory of chickadees, and the impact of the recent solar eclipse on bird behavior. You will be up to date in just five minutes. Let’s get started.See below for links to all...2024-04-2004 minThe Bird BriefEpisode 3: Avian espionage and tracking spring migration from your doorstep Welcome to Episode 3 of the Bird Brief. This is Stephanie Jenkins Aslett, avian ecologist and former intelligence analyst for the Department of Defense giving you the rundown on the most recent happenings in birds, both in popular news and published research throughout the world. Today’s episode will range from a bird suspected of espionage, bird flu in Antarctica, wind turbine innovation, and how you can use weather data to track this year’s spring bird migration from your doorstep… in your slippers. You will be up to date in just five minutes. Let’s get started.See below...2024-04-0505 min