The Science of Birds artwork

Nature · Ivan Phillipsen

The Science of Birds

by Ivan Phillipsen

The Science of Birds is a lighthearted exploration of bird biology. It's a fun resource for any birder or naturalist who wants to learn more about ornithology. Impress your birding friends at cocktail parties with all of your new bird knowledge! Hosted by Ivan Phillipsen, a professional birding guide and passionate naturalist with a PhD in Zoology.

Chart trend

Position in the Nature chart (US), last 90 days.

#2
all-time peak
15
days in the top 3 since Nov 2024

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Random Bird Thursday: A Highly Vocal Species With Female Helpers

#9 trending · Nature

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These

Sep 3
31 min

Grebes

#15 trending · Nature

👕 Bird Merch —  Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ Enter the murky aquatic realm of the family Podicipedidae in Episode 137 of the The Science of Birds podcast. Often m

Aug 30
1 h 00 min

Random Bird Thursday: A Citrus-themed Species with Runny Mascara

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These

Aug 14
18 min

From the Field: Australia

👕 Bird Merch —  Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In this "from the field" episode of The Science of Birds, Ivan Phillipsen takes you on a journey through some iconic

Aug 8
48 min

Random Bird Thursday: A Duet-singer That Uses Bones for Decoration

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These

Jul 16
12 min

Random Bird Thursday: A Tiny Island Dweller That Likes Vines

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These

Jul 2
10 min

Red-winged Blackbird

👕 Bird Merch —  Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ Episode 135 takes on one of North America's most recognizable birds: the Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoenice

Jun 21
53 min

Random Bird Thursday: An Alien-Eyed Mountaineer That Sounds Like a Jet

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These

Jun 11
15 min

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites

👕 Bird Merch —  Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ This is Episode 134. Ivan takes on one of the most iconic bird families in the avian world: Accipitridae—the hawks, e

Jun 1
59 min

From the Field: Birding Romania

👕 Bird Merch —  Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In this From the Field episode Ivan takes listeners along on a two-week scouting trip to Romania where he explored th

May 17
39 min

Random Bird Thursday: A Crepuscular Species That Is Not Actually Magical

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These

Apr 30
18 min

Rivers & Streams as Bird Habitat

👕 Bird Merch —  Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In Episode 132, Ivan Phillipsen explores the "circulatory system of the land"—the world of rivers and streams. These

Apr 22
59 min

Random Bird Thursday: A Trans-Andean Ant-Follower with a Complex Social Life

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These

Apr 9
26 min

The Northern Flicker

👕 Bird Merch —  Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In Episode 131 of The Science of Birds, host Ivan Phillipsen takes a deep dive into one of North America's most

Apr 5
54 min

Random Bird Thursday: A Colorful, Dumpy Bird That Chills With Chimps

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These

Mar 26
15 min

Vagrancy: Why Some Birds End Up Far From Home

👕 Bird Merch —  Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In this episode—which is number 130—Ivan Phillipsen explores the fascinating phenomenon of vagrancy... those surprisi

Mar 17
52 min

Random Bird Thursday: A Large Fat-eater from Patagonia

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These

Mar 5
25 min

Cuckoos

👕 Bird Merch —  Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ In this episode, host Ivan Phillipsen dives into the diverse and sometimes mysterious world of the avian family Cucul

Feb 25
1 h 04 min

Random Bird Thursday: An Antisocial Bottom-Feeder from the Antipodes

In each Random Bird Thursday (RBT) episode, the goal is to highlight a bird species that probably isn't going to get featured in a full-length podcast episode. These

Jan 29
15 min

Avian Navigation: How Birds Find Their Way

👕 Bird Merch —  Get yourself some bird shirts! ~~~ This is Episode 128. How does a bird travel thousands of miles across the globe only to return to the exact same back

Jan 18
37 min

Chart positions

Where The Science of Birds ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 4, 2026).

#7 ▲ 1 Nature US
#65 ▲ 3 Science US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I found this podcast a couple months ago and have been enjoying getting caught up on old episodes and new ones. I find the host relatable, down to earth and easy to listen to. It has quickly become a favorite of mine.

RJoz91501 · Nov 2024

Perfect balance of science and lightheartedness. Always interesting and fun. So glad I found this.

homeboyslim · Nov 2024

I just found this podcast about a week ago, and Im listening to the shows in order from the beginning. The host presents a great deal of information in understandable terms. Combined with a pleasant voice and a sense of humor, he adds occasional sound effects and audio clips to keep things moving in an entertaining manner. Great stuff!!

Degan1492 · Nov 2024

I’m into birding and nature podcast. I was looking for a post election podcast that I could binge pod. That was completely free of politics and current events. This is it! It’s a fun way to learn more about birds or to brush up on things that you learned before.

Duke DT · Nov 2024

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About The Science of Birds on Reason.fm

Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of The Science of Birds, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.

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