BirdNote

09/02/2026

Many people would tell you that hearing birdsong puts them in a good mood. Recently, scientists have tried to put numbers to this effect that many of us have noticed. One study found that people who spent a few minutes immersed in the sounds of birds had lower levels of paranoia and anxiety than those who only listened to traffic noise.

Hermit Thrush © Arman Werth
Image description: Small gray and white bird called a Hermit Thrush stands on tree bark

Researchers study the effects of birdsong on the mind.

09/01/2026

Some cloudless night in September, when the air is clear, you may see birds flying across the yellow face of the moon! September is peak migration time for millions of songbirds heading south from North America to more tropical latitudes. Nocturnal migrants of the same species, such as orioles, warblers, sparrows, and tanagers, call as they fly, enabling flock-mates to stick together. Many of these flight calls are distinctive, enabling those with an excellent ear to identify them as they pass.

Birds on moon © Composite image by Bob King
Image description: Birds on moon

Take a seat outside and turn your binoculars to the sky!

08/31/2026

Hear from Christian Cooper in beautiful Jackson Hole on October 1!

Grab your early bird ticket now through September 4 to see author and TV host Christian Cooper and bestselling author Jennifer Ackerman during "On the Air and In the Air," a benefit for BirdNote and Jackson Hole's community radio station, KHOL 89.1 FM. The two will be in conversation about birds, conservation and more, in a discussion moderated by BirdNote's Content Director, Jonese Franklin. Plus, guests will enjoy a live bird presentation from Teton Raptor Center before the event!

VIP tickets are available for access to a special VIP reception featuring a meet-and-greet with Cooper and Ackerman, along with signed books and reserved seating.

Prices go up after September 4! Get your tickets now: jhcenterforthearts.org/event/on-the-air-and-in-the-air

08/31/2026

In this episode of BirdNoir, Private Eye Michael Stein helps a lakefront resident get to know the avian neighbor that’s been flying by each day.

Bald Eagle © Greg Lavaty
Image Description: A Bald Eagle in sub-adult brown plumage flying over open water.

08/30/2026

Though half the size of a robin, the Carolina Wren has a powerful singing voice that seems to come from a much bigger bird. Many people remember their song with the phrase, “teakettle-teakettle-teakettle!” When these secretive birds venture into the open, look for their cocked tail, bright white eyebrows, tan breasts, and golden-brown backs. One reason these wrens thrive in cityscapes is their ability to build a nest in creative places: everything from an old boot to a window flower box to an engine block are potential places to raise their brood.

Carolina Wren © Ann Victor
Image Description: A Carolina Wren perches on a fencetop with tail cocked.

Raising up to seven young at a time in surprising places.

08/29/2026

Beavers are well known as ecosystem engineers in North America. In Australia, lyrebirds play a big role in shaping their environment when they use their toes to dig in the ground for food. A single lyrebird can shift 11 dump truck loads of soil and leaves — each year! That’s thought to be more than any other digging animal. Lyrebirds are best known for their spot-on imitations of other birds’ songs and calls.

Superb Lyrebird © CraigRJD

Image Description: A Superb Lyrebird with beak open and tail spread and outstretched over the bird's body

Australian mimic birds reshape their environment.

08/28/2026

For most birds, keen eyesight is critical for survival. But many birds lead lives that can be very hard on the eyes — like flying at breakneck speed, racing for cover into a dense thicket, or diving under water to capture prey. Imagine how the chips fly as this Pileated Woodpecker chisels a cavity. Fortunately, birds have evolved a structure for protecting their eyes. Beneath the outer eyelids lies an extra eyelid, called the nictitating membrane. It helps keep the eye moist and clean while guarding it from wind, dust, and hazards.

Pileated Woodpecker © Mike Hamilton

Image Description: Pileated Woodpecker showing nictitating membrane.

An extra, protective eyelid.

08/27/2026

Nothing says summer like a day at the beach. Whether you’re lounging by a lake or enjoying a seaside vacation, listen to this episode to learn 5 things you can do to share the shore with birds.

Snowy Plover © Mick Thompson
Image Description: A Snowy Plover adult and chick walking across a sandy background.

08/26/2026

When they migrate, tiny songbirds that spend most of their lives on land fly hundreds of miles over the ocean at a stretch – and they get tired. Research suggests that birds migrating over busy shipping routes in the Mediterranean Sea may use the decks of sea vessels as places to catch their breath when the weather turns bad.

Northern Mockingbird © Eric Heupel

Image Description: A small brown and white bird with its eyes closed rests on a loop of rope on a ship out at sea.

Birds flying overseas sometimes land on boats to rest.

08/25/2026

Former Washington Governor Jay Inslee has been around birds his entire life. But he says it wasn’t until his early 30s that a bird really caught his attention. In this episode, Inslee shares how the Western Meadowlark’s melodic song bolstered his connection to the natural world.

Western Meadowlark © Mick Thompson

Image Description: A Western Meadowlark singing from a leafy branch.