Once thought of as a quirky pursuit for retirees, bird-watching has exploded in popularity in recent years. Surveys show that nearly 1 in 3 Americans now partake, with a notable spike among younger generations thanks in part to tech innovations like the Merlin Bird ID app, which takes the guesswork out of birdsong identification.
These seven podcasts can help beginners to build a birding habit or regulars enhance an existing one, whether offering expert advice on equipment and logistics, digestible facts about the more than 11,000 species of bird worldwide, or stories about the psychological benefits of tuning into the winged world.
‘Get Birding With Sean Bean’
The British actor Sean Bean was once best known for his frequent onscreen deaths in a variety of action franchises like the “Lord of the Rings” and James Bond movies. More recently, he’s found a niche for himself with this charming podcast. “Get Birding” focuses on practical tips to help anyone start a hobby that’s both fun and healthful. Bean’s history is instructive: He first began bird-watching during his teenage years in the northern English city of Sheffield, so he’s well placed to make it feel accessible and beginner friendly. He’s joined by a variety of guests including broadcasters, zoologists and conservationists, who share their stories of discovering peace and inspiration in birds with such enthusiasm that listeners may find it impossible to resist picking up their own binoculars.
Starter episode: “Garden Symphony”
‘The Science of Birds’
Despite what the title may suggest, there’s nothing dry or overly academic about “The Science of Birds,” a biweekly show offering entertaining deep dives into bird biology. It’s hosted by Ivan Phillipsen, a naturalist and zoology Ph.D. with a passion not just for his subject, but for teaching it in an engaging way. Topics vary; episodes can home in on a single bird species or family (like herring gulls or cuckoos), explore the birding habitats of different countries, or deal with phenomena like vagrancy (where an individual bird gets knocked off course and ends up far outside its typical migratory range). There are also shorter “Random Bird Thursday” episodes, in which Phillipsen spotlights an overlooked type of bird and packs as many facts as possible into a 15-20 minute window.
Starter episode: “Avian Navigation: How Birds Find Their Way”
‘How Many Geese?’
Though it’s a more irreverent pick than most of the shows on this list, “How Many Geese?” is nonetheless hosted by two experts, Jack Baddams, an ornithologist, and Roddy Shaw, an urban forestry specialist. The pair chew over bizarre bird and animal stories throughout history, like the U.S. government’s World War II-era plan to weaponize bats or all of the times that animals have been put on trial (turns out, more than you’d think). On occasion they also tackle more serious topics, like the ecological impact of humans feeding birds. But the show’s signature segment comes toward the end of each episode, where one of the hosts must determine how many of a specific species they, personally, could take in a fight. The show recently concluded its run after 100 episodes, but there’s a deep back catalog of absurdist nature anecdotes and hypothetical fight clubs to enjoy.
Starter episode: “The Extended Nuclear Animals Universe”
‘Life List: A Birding Podcast’
This “birdy, proudly nerdy” series is hosted by an affable trio of experienced birders, who share conversations about their latest triumphs and frustrations out in the field, both close to home in the United States and on international trips. A “life list” refers to a personalized, cumulative list of all the species a bird-watcher has personally spotted, so bird identification is unsurprisingly a major theme of the show. The hosts — George Armistead, Alvaro Jaramillo and Mollee Brown — swap stories about rare sightings and lessons learned from failed searches. There’s a real sense of community and camaraderie borne of mutual passion, which makes the show a pleasure to listen to.
Starter episode: “Birding the Eastern Himalayas, a Backyard Long-eared Owl, and Safari Adventures With Jason Hall”
‘BirdNote Daily’
This bite-size series is a good way to learn something new about nature every day. Produced by BirdNote, a nonprofit media organization, each episode blends a fact-filled story about birds with soundscapes featuring recordings of birdsong and other nature sounds, delivering an atmospheric audio experience in under two minutes. This format makes “BirdNote Daily” feel more like a meditation than a typical podcast; a reminder to slow down and notice the natural world.
Starter episode: “House Wrens and Dummy Nests”
‘American Birding Podcast’
This audio series from the American Birding Association has been running for close to a decade, and it’s a must listen for any enthusiast. Featuring a rotating cast of ABA staffers alongside its regular host, Nate Swick (the education and digital content coordinator for the association), the show includes discussions of avian news, personal birding anecdotes, and interviews with scientists and conservationists. Some episodes focus more on the human stories than the avian ones — one recent installment spotlighted the concept of “spark birds,” which is birder speak for the particular species that converted them to the hobby.
Starter episode: “Saving Birds to Save the Planet With Scott Weidensaul”
‘The Field Guides’
Although this info-packed podcast has a broad focus on North American wildlife, it often zooms in on birds. In each monthly episode, the hosts Steve and Bill focus on a different species or natural phenomenon, breaking down the science behind it and sharing their expertise. Episodes often have a documentary feel, with the hosts recording audio from the field as they explore new settings, and sometimes hunt for specific rare species like the Florida panther or the Central Park snowy owl. No matter your level of expertise, these immersive episodes offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of a naturalist.
Starter episode: “The Dawn Chorus (Part 1)”
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