Uncover the surprising truths about bird mimicry and vocal learning. This episode is about the hidden talents of Australian birds. Dr Vicky Austin is interested in bird behaviour and how birds interact with each other and their environment. She is particularly fascinated by the vocalisations of female birds. Vicky’s PhD at Western Sydney University…

Discover a unique pocket of Western Australia. This episode is about living in regional Australia, Red-winged Fairywrens and birdwatching with an ADHD brain. Lucy is a bird fanatic living in Margaret River, Western Australia. As a novice birdwatcher, she has enjoyed this very podcast to broaden her knowledge, and feel connected to the birding commu…

Get a gentle understanding of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). This episode is about the current situation with avian influenza (bird flu), the impact on wild birds and the steps being taken to protect them. Dr. Michelle Wille is a senior research fellow at the Centre for Pathogen Genomics, University of Melbourne, and has an honorary appo…

Enter the world of one of Australia’s iconic city and rainforest birds. This episode is about the fascinating mating, nesting and hatching behaviour of the Australian Brush-turkey, and what you can do to help it thrive in your neighbourhood. Dr Ann Göth was born in Austria and began birdwatching at an early age. Her career as an ecologist started w…

Catch up with Cezary and Leo as they head for home. This episode is about two friends and who are riding their bikes around Australia to raise money and see as many birds as possible. Leo Norman and Cezary Carmichael are on the road, on two wheels, on a grand adventure. The plan is to spend their gap year riding the country and enjoying birdwatchin…

Learn about bird evolution from an ecologist and best-selling author. This episode is about where songbirds originated from, Australia’s ‘woodpecker’ and other fun birds, and the simple joys of being out in the bush. Tim Low is a biologist and best-selling author of seven books, four of which have won prizes. His most popular book, ‘Where Song Bega…

Meet two participants of a sport especially for birdwatchers. This episode is about competitive birdwatching, the magic of the Hunter region of NSW and how birds can bring us together. Mick Roderick is a Twitchathon tragic. In 2023, he notched up his 25th consecutive Twitchathon – all of them in the main race. To maintain this, he twice flew back f…

Get to know some of Australia’s overlooked birds. This episode is about the many species of pigeons and doves that are native to Australia, a bunch of rare parrots and the delights of the Aussie Bird Count. Sean Dooley is the National Public Affairs Manager for BirdLife Australia, author of The Big Twitch, and former holder of the Australian Big Ye…

Discover how to take your nature experiences to new heights. This episode is about the difference between awe and wonder, and how each emotion can positively impact your daily life. Karen Jones is a passionate and award-winning environmental educator. She blends three decades of national park ranger and local government sustainability experiences t…

Weekend Birder is back for Season 3! Here’s a sneak peak of what's coming up. If you like birds, you've come to the right place. Weekend Birder celebrates the stories and smarts of everyday people and their unique connections to birds. Independently produced and featuring short engaging episodes, the podcast equips listeners with the knowledge and …

Hear birdwatching stories from around Australia. This episode is about the joys of connecting with neighbourhood birds and the challenge of doing a Local Big Year. Local Big Year is a challenge to identify as many birds species as possible within a local geographical area in one year. Many thanks to the following Local Big Year community members fo…

Learn how to record bird song and use technology to identify them. This episode is about bird call ID apps, sound recording equipment and research into how baby birds learn while they are in their egg. Dr Vicky Austin is interested in bird behaviour and how birds interact with each other and their environment. She is particularly fascinated by the …

Search for birds in Western Australia’s coastal heaths, wetlands, arid regions and tropical north. This episode is about the best places to go birdwatching Western Australia and some of the unique birds you might find there. Jeremy Ringma is a Shorebird Project Coordinator at BirdLife Australia. His work involves collecting shorebird survey data in…

Adventure around Australia with two passionate birders on a gap year. This episode is about the highs and lows of riding a pushbike 15,000km around Australia to see as many birds as possible in one year. Leo Norman and Cezary Carmichael are on the road, on two wheels, on a grand adventure. The plan is to spend their gap year riding the country and …

Learn about a bird that’s a little bit different from the rest. This episode is about a quirky and lovable migratory shorebird, and a scientist’s quest to grow our knowledge about its physiology and behaviour. Birgita Hansen has strong research interest in understanding the ecological response of birds to modification of their habitat, which has in…

Share in the delight of unexpected birding experiences. This episode is about the joys of photography, why birds bathe, foot quivering and the Regent Honeyeater. McKinley Moens is an 18 year-old nature photographer and ornithologist-in-the-making, based in the Blue Mountains of NSW. She has had a camera in her hand since she was three years old and…

Meet a small bird with a big personality. This episode is about the Plains-wanderer, a unique and one-of-a-kind Australian bird that is capturing the hearts of the community. Chris Hartnett is a Threatened Species Program Coordinator at Zoos Victoria. Working closely with a range of conservation partners, Chris has led the strategic planning and im…

Discover the joys of birdwatching walks around Victoria and beyond. This episode is about birding in the Castlemaine and Orbost areas, a great place to visit in France and the Australian Painted Snipe. Damian Kelly has been a birder since he was young, exploring the Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne. In more recent times, he has written two birding guid…

Join Kirsty and her nephew Edward as they explore the world of Australia's kites. This episode is about the joys of seeing and hearing the Whistling Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite and Square-tailed Kite. Edward is 10 years old and has grown up exploring nature. When he's not playing basketball, cricket or footy, he's hanging out in his backyard, t…

Get to know one of Australia’s most charming robins. This episode is about the behaviours, calls, habitats and genetics of the Eastern Robin. It’s time to get sciencey! Lana Austin has been working as a professional ornithologist around the world for many years. To name a few, she has been lucky enough to work with macaws in Peru, Toucans in the Ec…

Deep-dive into the world of one of Australia’s charismatic birds of prey. This episode is all about the Eastern Osprey, and how a childhood of field trips and wildlife photography has led to a life-long love of birdwatching and citizen science. Pip Grant-Taylor is a retired TV Journalist Producer who concentrates largely on birds and wildlife photo…

Discover how patience and understanding light can create stunning wildlife photographs. This episode is about a photographer’s journey from a childhood in the Australian outback to a career capturing the beauty of birds. Shelley Pearson is an award-winning wildlife photographer who immerses herself in the natural environment, patiently waiting for …

Answering your questions about bird bodies and behaviours. This episode is about bird feathers, eyelids and legs, and their funny little traits that are similar to humans. Dr Gráinne Cleary’s primary area of interest is helping to educate and work with the public to gain the best conservation outcomes for our urban wildlife. She is particularly int…

Meet an 11-year old birdwatcher who has a love for Eastern Victoria. This episode is about a unique part of Australia, birding wishlists and the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher. Luca is an 11-year old nature lover and birder who lives in Naarm (Melbourne) and feels most at home in nature. His fondness and respect for wildlife was first inspired b…

Look at Australia's birds through the eyes of an artist. This episode is about kingfishers, kookaburras and painting birds on huge grain silos. Geoffrey Carran has dedicated the past decade to painting explorations of Australia’s diverse bird population. Geoffrey uses his public murals to highlight endangered bird species that can be found in the a…

Gain new insights into birds, traditional knowledge and ecology. This episode is about the health of Country, life in the Otways and the Fan-tailed Cuckoo. Dr Jack Pascoe is a Yuin man living on Gadabanut Country. He studied predator ecology, fire, wildlife and botany. He has led a program of applied ecological research in the Otway region for over…

Explore the intricate world of bird feathers. This episode is about feather colour and structure, and the nesting habits of waterfowl. Freia Noss is a lifelong birder and bushwalker, living and working on Dharug and Gundungurra land in the Blue Mountains. During the week she works on re-vegetation projects on rural properties in Australia. In her f…

Discover the delights of one of Australia’s most popular birds. This episode is all about the Swift Parrot, the 2023 Australian Bird of the Year. Beau Meney has always been fascinated by wildlife and wild places, but his affinity with birds started at the age of ten when he first laid eyes on an enormous Wedge-tailed Eagle nest. Passionate about ec…

Enjoy the simple pleasures of watching birds through an apartment window. This episode is about Black-faced Cuckooshrikes, pardalotes and the joys of birdwatching at home. Christine Parrott works in a non-birding career and appreciates birds on the side, although many times she wishes it was the other way around! As an adult birdwatching convert, s…

Take a walk along Australia's stunning coastline to meet the birds that call the beach their home. This episode is about curlews, plovers, gulls, terns and oystercatchers. Bridget Farmer is originally from Northern Ireland. She initially visited Australia to friends but fell in love with the country (and a certain Australian man) and stayed longer …

Get inspired by the projects that are helping urban birds to thrive. This episode is about designing new bird habitats, an unexpected cassowary in your kitchen and the joy of seeing a Purple-crowned Lorikeet in a KFC car park. Dr. Kylie Soanes is a scientist on a mission to save nature in our cities and towns. Her research brings together the field…

Embark on a journey to northern Australia with Paralympian Richard Cordukes. This episode is about the Western Bowerbird, Gouldian Finch and birdwatching in a wheelchair. Richard Cordukes is a distinguished Paralympic athlete and advocate renowned for his unwavering commitment to inclusion. Despite becoming a quadriplegic in 1976, Richard swiftly i…

Gain a new appreciation for the Australian White Ibis, the Little Corella and the Long-billed Corella. This episode is about the birds that live around us in our cities and towns. Dr John Martin is a senior ecologist in the Wildlife Services branch of Ecosure, an author, and a science communicator. Through inspiring community appreciation of and co…

Adventure to an island in southern Australia that is home to rare birds. This episode is about the Bruny Island Bird Festival, the Forty-spotted Pardalote and the Swift Parrot. Ella Roles grew up camping and bird watching with her dad, and didn't realise how much she was absorbing. When she studied outdoor education at Latrobe University, she start…

Meet a teenager birdwatcher who loves conservation and photography. This episode is about connecting with birds during childhood, youth leadership and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. Luke Eaton has always had a passion for animals. His love of birds started when he was very young and when he was three years old he would spend hours with his family r…

Learn how to identify a range of Australian thornbills. This episode is about those tricky Little Brown Birds that live in our gardens, parks and local reserves, and also contains a refresher on how to use binoculars. Ricki Coughlan is a bird guide and nature educator with a particular interest in the behaviour and ecology of the Acanthizids - “Lit…

Discover some Darwin birdwatching hot spots and a local community campaign to protect shorebirds. This episode is about where to go birding in the Top End, Red Knot seabirds and the Lee Point campaign. Dr Amanda Lilleyman loves the Top End environment and the Territory lifestyle. She came to Darwin from the Central Coast of NSW to study migratory s…

Get the lowdown on the world’s smallest penguin. This episode is about the interesting world of the Little Penguins that live on Phillip Island. Paula Wasiak has worked at the Phillip Island Nature Parks since 2009. Primarily, she coordinates and conducts field data collection, supporting projects aimed at future-proofing penguin survival and unloc…

Get to know the host of Death by Birding and his love of Australian owls. This episode is about the Rufous Owl, the Southern Boobook and the joys of sharing birdwatching with others. Cesar Puechmarin is a veterinary student and wildlife nurse from Mount Glorious in Queensland. He is an award winning wildlife photographer, specialising in 35mm film.…

Adventure to new birding spots in the nation’s capital. This episode is about where to go birdwatching in Canberra and the delights of the Superb Parrot. Olivia Congdon is an amateur bird photographer and nature lover. She works as a science writer for a leading Australian university. She grew up in country New South Wales, lived in Tasmania while …

Learn how to identify common Australian birds of prey. This episode is a general introduction to falcons, hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and osprey. Stephen Debus been interested in birds, and especially raptors, since childhood. He’s had a long association with the University of New England (Armidale, NSW) as a research fellow and honorary researc…

Celebrate the community effort that is preventing a little parrot from going extinct. This episode is about the Orange-bellied Parrot and contains stories that will give you hope about the future of birds. Dr Jenny Gray is the Chief Executive Officer of Zoos Victoria, charged with the operation of the Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, Kyabram F…

Marvel at the diverse range of shorebirds that hang out in Australia each year. This episode is about watching and identifying shorebirds, including sandpipers and the Bar-tailed Godwit. Jeremy Ringma is a Shorebird Project Coordinator at BirdLife Australia. His work involves collecting shorebird survey data in order to assess population trends and…

Be delighted by some of the world’s most charismatic birds. This episode is about birds that have fun personalities and have a large impact on their environment, like the Victoria’s Riflebird, Paleated Woodpecker and Burrowing Owl. Georgia Angus is an author and illustrator based in Naarm/Melbourne, living and working on the lands of the Wurundjeri…

Meet the author of Australia’s first complete beginners' field guide to urban birds. This episode is about the birds found in cities and towns (including the Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike), birdwatching in Kuala Lumpur and Wallace’s Line. Darryl Jones is a writer, speaker, researcher and mentor. Professor Emeritus in ecology from Griffith University. H…

Learn how to identify Australia’s huge variety of robins. This episode is about red and pink-coloured robins, noisy robins, rare robins and birdwatching on the Limestone Coast. Hugh Possingham is currently the co-chief councillor of The Biodiversity Council and Vice-President of BirdLife Australia. He has devoted his life to stopping habitat loss a…

Delight in the joy of birdwatching at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. This episode is about mindful birding, the Nankeen Night Heron and other birds you might see in the heart of Melbourne. Watching David Attenborough at aged seven, Liz Hackett thinks that it was inevitable that she would grow up loving nature. From volunteering, to working for a …

Laugh along with comedian Geraldine Hickey and she explores the funny side of birdwatching. This episode is about powerful birdwatching moments and keeping a secret about Orange-bellied Parrots. Geraldine Hickey is a talented Australian comedian, winner of the Melbourne Comedy Festival Award for Most Outstanding Show 2021. She is also known for rad…

Explore the relationship between birds and trees. And how awesome Rainbow Bee-eaters are. This episode is about how birds and trees rely on each other, the Rainbow Bee-eater and what’s happening in Sydney. Stephanie Chambers and their partner Amy Ranck founded Sydney Bird Club to help people discover the magical world of Australian birds. With a Sy…

Delve into the weird and wonderful world of Australian cuckoos. This episode is about the talents of the Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo and how it tricks other birds into raising its babies. Cassandra Taylor is a PhD candidate at the Australian National University, where she studies behavioural ecology and evolution. Her study system focuses on evolutio…