Best Alvaro Jaramillo Podcasts (2025)

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Exploring Blackbirds with Experts Peter Burke and Alvaro Jaramillo 51:56

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26d ago51:56

51:56

Think you know blackbirds? This episode will change the way you see them. Andrea Gress and co-host Jody Allair discuss the underrated beauty and behaviour of blackbirds with experts Peter Burke and Alvaro Jaramillo. They highlight the diverse species within the Icteridae family, including Red-winged Blackbirds, Meadowlarks, and Orioles. They explor…

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Superhero Senses - of birds! 53:10

2h ago53:10

53:10

Discover the unique ways that birds understand the world through their senses! Some birds have bendy beaks, some swivel their eyes, and others sense magnetic fields. Andrew Iwaniuk is an expert on bird brains, and he helps us explore specialized bird senses and how their brains work! Send us your bird questions! We'll answer them in our end of year…

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Inside eBird: The world’s biggest birding project with Brian Sullivan 1:03:06

2h ago1:03:06

1:03:06

This episode, we’re joined by Brian Sullivan—birder, photographer, and co-leader of one of the most transformative projects in the birding world: eBird. From the earliest red-tailed hawk obsessions to building a global platform used by millions, Brian shares stories that bridge fieldwork, data, and wonder. Highlights include: How eBird grew from a …

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Almost arrested: Birding in Qatar and South African springtime adventures 1:06:03

12d ago1:06:03

1:06:03

Alvaro has some juicy stories from the field: did he finally succeed in finding a Saunder's tern, or did a run-in with the law in Qatar foil his attempts yet again? Topics with George and Alvaro include: Birding on a layover in Qatar The most accessible birding locations in the Middle East A South African springtime tour recap The adrenaline of saf…

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Trick or Tweet: Ghostly sounds, murders, and bloodsucking birds 31:52

12d ago31:52

31:52

In the spirit of spooky season, we bring you an eerie episode filled with spine-tingling bird facts. We debate the most haunting bird sounds, learn about blood sucking birds, corvid funerals, toxic species, and more. Plus you'll get some inspiration for a bird-themed Halloween costume! Natasha has shared some links with additional facts: Crow funer…

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Traveling as a birder and musician with Bonner Black 58:52

28d ago58:52

58:52

We’re joined by Bonner Black: Nashville-based singer-songwriter, birder, and all-around force of nature. Highlights of our chat include: Growing up birding in Tennessee and carrying that love on the road as a touring musician The parallels between birding, music, and life on the road How songwriting and birding both demand patience, attention, and …

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Birding with us: our backyard birdwatching conversations 1:05:12

1M ago1:05:12

1:05:12

One of our favorite things to hear from guests is that it's like you're birding with us during our conversations. This time, you actually can! We're each recording from our backyards, during some mid-afternoon, mid-September birdwatching. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to join us on a birdwalk, now's your chance! Get more Life list b…

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Biking for Birds: athletics to inspire bird conservation 27:58

2M ago27:58

27:58

Migration is one of the most remarkable phenomena in the animal kingdom. What if the human body made the same trip? Athletes Timm Döbert and Leanna Carriere join us to discuss their up-coming expedition, “Wings of Survival”, where they’ll bike from Alaska to Patagonia, following the route of the Whimbrel. This duo is using athletics to draw attenti…

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LISTERS: Inside the extreme birdwatching documentary with Owen and Quentin Reiser 1:10:57

2M ago1:10:57

1:10:57

We’re talking with Quentin and Owen, the filmmakers and brothers behind Listers: the indie documentary that’s both absurd and profound, and probably the funniest thing ever made about birding. Highlights of our chat include: How a family field guide, a bong, and a road trip turned into a continent-spanning big year The van life: Cracker Barrel park…

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Up in the clouds with Black Swifts 33:56

2M ago33:56

33:56

Black Swifts are also playfully known as Cloud Swifts, a suitable nickname for one of Canada's most impressive and mysterious birds. Join us above the clouds with researcher and mountain enthusiast, Rémi Torrenta, as he shares Black Swift season updates. He describes meeting Black Swifts at the top of a mountain, shares mind boggling facts about th…

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Late summer birding: movements, migration, and surprises 1:02:01

2M ago1:02:01

1:02:01

The biggest surprise of all might be that George is learning to love summertime at home. We are chatting about birds and critters in our patches and recent travels, plus about books, media, and pizza. By the way, you can learn more about Frontiers in Ornithology at https://frontiersinornithology.com/. Come for the sightings that surprised us lately…

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Finding rare Alaskan birds and more wildlife encounters with Alex Harper and Phil Chaon 55:09

3M ago55:09

55:09

Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to know more about us? Check out George's company, Hillstar Nature; Alvaro's company, Alvaro's Adventures, and Mollee's company, Nighthawk…

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The Wake-up Call: Chestnut-collared Longspur 35:02

3M ago35:02

35:02

The Chestnut-collared Longspur is an icon of the Prairies – an aerial acrobatist, singing and dancing in the sky. Jody Allair shares his love for this longspur, helping us understand why this charming species should be on everyone’s life list. As he describes his road trip to seek out the Chestnut-collared Longspur earlier this spring, Jody offers …

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How to find rare birds with Jen Brumfield 1:05:03

3M ago1:05:03

1:05:03

This episode is a blast—and full of stuff you'll want to remember! George and Alvaro interview the legendary birder of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and beyond: Jen Brumfield. They dive into all it takes to be a rarity-finding machine, and then put their advice through a detailed walkthrough of jaeger identification. We always say it...this hour passed by…

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Bird Photography: tips and tricks from Liron Gertsman 29:21

4M ago29:21

29:21

Taking good photos of birds isn't just about the gear - knowing bird behaviours and habitats is equally as important. Professional wildlife photographer, Liron Gertsman, joins us to offer helpful pointers for folks looking to take their bird photography to the next level. He also shares the stories behind some of his most iconic photos, important n…

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Bird chases, misses, and surprises...and what birders can't let go of 51:41

4M ago51:41

51:41

This is what we do, folks! George and Alvaro are sharing the stories from the field and their yards, discussing scientific and hobbyist news in the birding world, and sharing travel tales. And karaoke dos and don'ts. And a skunk saga that seems to have included. Hang out with us for a spell! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and j…

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The Wake-up Call: Long-billed Curlew 25:39

4M ago25:39

25:39

Join us on a road trip to Skookumchuck Prairie to seek out the Long-billed Curlew. Our editor Kris Cu takes the reigns, leading us through the grassy valleys of Southeastern British Columbia. Kris is joined by David Bradley of Birds Canada, and Dianne Cooper, the caretaker of the Skookumchuck Prairie Key Biodiversity Area. Through their eyes, we le…

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Svalbard dreams and birds you wait a lifetime for 57:30

4M ago57:30

57:30

We're all here—Mollee, George, and Alvaro—to catch up on birding and nature stories from home and Alvaro's adventures spanning oceans...and two Great White Norths! Yup, with our usual dose of wildlife weirdness, too. Highlights include: An incredible polar bear sighting alongside Ivory Gulls and (cue Alvaro's scream) Ross's Gulls Birding in Svalbar…

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Revisiting Chewie the Piping Plover, and Queerness in Nature 11:31

4M ago11:31

11:31

While working with Piping Plovers in June of 2022, Andrea Gress and the rest of the plover team, observed a same-sex pairing between two well known plovers. It was a first for the species. But was it really? In today's episode, Andrea shares a brief history of how queerness in nature was viewed by the scientific community, and how these perspective…

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AviList: the new Global Avian Checklist and its effects on bird taxonomy with Marshall Iliff and Frank Rheindt 1:10:50

5M ago1:10:50

1:10:50

You like splits and lumps? Thinking about the intricacies of global taxonomy? Oh boy, are you in for a treat! George and Alvaro sat down with Marshall Iliff and Frank Rheindt, two members of the AviList Core Team, to take a deep dive into what’s just been released: AviList, the Global Avian Checklist! Learn how the process got started, what’s happe…

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Global conservation and the Birdfair that started a movement with Tim Appleton 55:27

5M ago55:27

55:27

This episode, we're catching up with Tim Appleton: co-founder of Global Birdfair and lifelong conservationist...and who possibly has the UK's best yard list. Highlights of our chat include: How one idea became the world’s largest nature tourism and bird conservation gathering—and what makes it unique 125 species and counting from Tim's Rutland cott…

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Is the White-throated Sparrow Canada's most interesting bird? 37:33

5M ago37:33

37:33

Discover the fascinating world of the White-throated Sparrow: birds with two colour morphs, a unique mating system, and songs that spread like the latest Taylor Swift release. Professors Ken Otter and Scott Ramsay reveal the surprising complexity behind these seemingly ordinary birds. When you order from birdsandbeans.ca/warblers Birds and Beans do…

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Deep-diving wild India: backyard leopards & a king-cobra's hiss with Surya Ramachandran 56:57

6M ago56:57

56:57

We caught up with our friend Surya Ramachandran: Indian naturalist, author, big-cat tracker, and awesome guy. Highlights of our chat include: Home patch leopards: Surya’s Nilgiri backyard hosts a multigenerational family of both black and rosetted leopards that he's watched closely for years Snow-leopard obsession: why eight straight winters in Lad…

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Exploring Bird Sounds with Dan Mennill 45:09

6M ago45:09

45:09

In this episode we get answers to some of our biggest questions about bird songs, calls, and non-vocal sounds. Learn how thrushes make that haunting flute-like sound, listen to the duetting phenomenon of tropical songbirds, and explore how some birds learn their songs while others don’t. Dive into the complex world of avian communication – and so m…

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Weird science and birding through life changes 59:56

6M ago59:56

59:56

Our travels have recently taken us across Costa Rica, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, and Tanzania — so it's high time for a catch-up! In this episode, George, Alvaro, and Mollee swap stories from the field, from color-changing marlins to Galápagos rail rediscoveries to grizzly bear rewilding efforts. We also talk about how birds pick up dozens of local na…

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Birding travels, timberdoodles, connecting through nature in prison 59:57

7M ago59:57

59:57

Our travels have recently spanned Costa Rica, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, and Tanzania, so it's high time for a catch-up! We swap favorite moments from the field, talk birds with many names (hello, timberdoodles), and updates from our homes, too. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us a…

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The birds are back: spring behaviours explained 40:05

7M ago40:05

40:05

The birds are back! From raptors doing trust falls, to grebes running across water - birds are displaying their finest selves all across Canada! In this episode, Kyle Horner breaks down the common, the weird, and the obscure bird behaviours that you should be looking for this spring. We also get interesting insights into the "mess" that is the Cana…

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Geographic clues to hybridization and the evolution of birding field guides 56:49

7M ago56:49

56:49

George and Alvaro have an evening chat about the evolution of field guides with notable quirks in a few editions, Alvaro discusses how he used location-based evidence to theorize about gull hybridization, and more. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at…

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Bird conservation on the Chatham Islands and beyond with Mike Bell 58:49

8M ago58:49

58:49

George and Alvaro took some time during their Subantarctic Islands cruise to chat with Mike Bell, ornithologist for the Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust. Make sure to check out their website for more information on all the conservation work they're doing! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bon…

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Birding the world versus major sporting events 59:38

8M ago59:38

59:38

We're catching up on our tales around the world and wondering...how close does birding get to a major sporting event? Join us in our usual banter. The book that Alvaro thinks of is called Owls of the Eastern Ice: A Quest to Find and Save the World's Largest Owl Have you seen a Nocturnal Curassow? Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter …

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Point Counts and Missing Pots: The Adventures of Bird Atlassing 46:15

8M ago46:15

46:15

The Breeding Bird Atlas is the ultimate province-wide bird survey. In this episode, Atlas coordinators from Newfoundland, Ontario, and Saskatchewan share how and why Atlassing is a key part of bird conservation. We hear their biggest challenges, favourite stories from the field, and why you should be a part of it all. From boast worthy birds, to bl…

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The heart of seabird diversity: Subantarctic Islands 1:00:52

8M ago1:00:52

1:00:52

Welcome to our first episode covering our recent Subantarctic Islands cruise out of New Zealand. We're diving into the islands we visited, including Albatross Island and Pyramid Rock, and all about our travels on this world-class adventure. Check out the whole trip report here. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Pat…

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Birding Asia X3: India, Thailand, and Japan 1:04:40

9M ago1:04:40

1:04:40

Hey there, we're back! Listen to us catching up on our recent travels throughout Asia in India, Thailand, and Japan. Are you tempted to join us in India next year? Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for spo…

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So cute, so deadly: Northern Saw-whet Owl 22:28

9M ago22:28

22:28

By size, shape and style, you might mistake this owl for a cuddly toy, but it's actually a deadly predator. In today's episode we chat about the Northern Saw-whet Owl - their adaptations, how to identify them by sound, how banding operations are helping to track their populations, and how you could get involved! Happy Superb Owl day! #superbowl Pro…

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Did a chickadee steal my hotdog? Experts answer your questions 38:40

11M ago38:40

38:40

As a special treat we've rounded up some of your most curious bird related questions and answered them in this episode (or tried to!). Why do some birds have red eyes? Can owls hybridize? Can birds smell? And of course, we'll try to solve the hotdog mystery. Help us keep doing what we do best by donating today. Or another great way to help... Order…

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Declaring a species extinct and sampling the world's coolest birding events 1:03:36

11M ago1:03:36

1:03:36

It's our final episode...but only for this season, don't worry 😉 We're chatting about birding festivals near and far, the multinational process of declaring a species extinct, and (literal) nightmares about birding tours. Don't miss out on: Alvaro's upcoming tours Hillstar's newest tours and pelagics Tours and articles on Nighthawk All the great co…

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The Wake-up Call: Eastern Whip-poor-will 33:45

11M ago33:45

33:45

Some call them goatsuckers, others may think of them as dragons in the night sky...but we know them lovingly as the Eastern Whip-poor-will. We're joined by three researchers who are exploring the habitats, food sources, and migratory ranges of the Eastern Whip-poor-will. We learn all kinds of spooky facts about this elusive species, and gain insigh…

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Defending Ecuador’s rarest species: Jocotoco’s on-the-ground efforts 55:28

12M ago55:28

55:28

Jocotoco Conservation works in the field throughout Ecuador and the Galapagos to conserve birds, wildlife, and habitats. Today, George is digging into their efforts and goals. Learn more about Jocotoco Conservation here. Topics in this episode include: Discovery of the Jocotoco Antpitta: Jocotoco Conservation's origin story Saving Spectacled Bears:…

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Winter is better with Project FeederWatch 20:34

1y ago20:34

20:34

As we get deeper into the fall months, we're joined by Olivia Carvalho to chat about an underappreciated pastime... winter birding! With Olivia coordinating Project FeederWatch in Canada, she has great insights on how to help birds through the coldest months, winter adaptations, birds you might expect to see at your feeder, and more! What birds are…

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Your guide to Life List episodes and highlights 59:36

1y ago59:36

59:36

Welcome to our 100th episode! We're celebrating by chatting about some listener favorites - and ours! - as well as all that's changed in the birding world since we started Life List. Thanks for being a part of our podcast family! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your…

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Gull mysteries with Amar Ayyash 1:07:57

1y ago1:07:57

1:07:57

This week, we're not just talking about Amar's highly anticipated book, The Gull Guide—we're chatting about the discoveries and controversies that led to what we currently know about gulls, the unknowns that still exist, and how to fall in love with these mysteries birds along the way. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining…

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Fall birding highlights (so far!) 1:00:30

1y ago1:00:30

1:00:30

Alright, we're back! George and Alvaro talk about unusual sightings and behaviors they've seen so far this fall along with takeaways from afar from the AOS conference. If you haven't already, be sure to read The trials of John P. McCown by Steve Hampton. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. …

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Canada's bird populations: the good, the bad, the uplifting 30:51

1y ago30:51

30:51

How are Canada's birds doing? Recently released, The State of Canada's Birds brings us valuable insights into the health of our favourite species. Some have recovered wonderfully, like waterfowl and birds of prey, yet others are struggling and need urgent attention. Catherine Jardine of Birds Canada and Marie-Anne Hudson with Environment and Climat…

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Comparing thermal scopes, Hurricane Helene effects, and the beauty in the unknowns on pelagics 1:05:21

1y ago1:05:21

1:05:21

We're continuing conversations with our listeners on the air as we share updates from our home fronts. We have lots of links to share this week! Check out Ed Yong's account of his recent pelagic experience with Alvaro's Adventures in his newsletter While you're at it, make sure to read An Immense World by Ed Yong We get tons of questions about ther…

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Brazil's legendary lands and lesser-known gems 1:05:42

1y ago1:05:42

1:05:42

George is just back from the Pantanal, and today, we're chatting about that. But first... The oldest photo in eBird? Looks like it's this (now extinct) Laughing Owl! And check out this illustration of the species on Birds of the World (sign-in required). George has two trip reports from Brazil. Check out Safari Brazil: The Pantanal and Brazil's Atl…

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Quebec's river of warblers 25:27

1y ago25:27

25:27

An incredible migratory phenomenon occurs along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec. Thankfully, the Tadoussac Bird Observatory is located in just the right place to observe and study this mass movement of warblers and other songbirds. Alexandre Terrigeol joins us during peak migration to share more about this phenomenon and about the other work occur…

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We're answering your birdy questions! 1:08:11

1y ago1:08:11

1:08:11

We're back with a listener question episode! We mention Project Phoenix—check out the details here. Subscribe to our newsletter and send us your questions below ⬇️⬇️ Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for s…

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Deep dives and Easter eggs in the new Stokes finch guide 1:06:56

1y ago1:06:56

1:06:56

This week, we're joined by Lillian Stokes and Matt Young to share in the laughs, research, and stories behind their jam-packed new book, The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada. Learn more and preorder it here before the book is published on September 17! Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreo…

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Conflict in chasing rare birds & what it feels like to be on pelagics 1:08:42

1y ago1:08:42

1:08:42

We're three busy birders this week with tales ranging from the backyard to the wonders of the deep oceans. Grab a drink and enjoy this classic Life List chat with us—tangents and all. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to…

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Wacky tales and unique habitats with Phil Chaon 1:00:12

1y ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Phil's been there, done that, and has the stories to prove it. This week we chat about his recent oceanic expeditions and upcoming book. Have a taste of western Australia and the Lesser Sundas via Phil's recent eBird trip report Get notifications for Habitats of North America, coming out this winter Order Habitats of the World: A Field Guide for Bi…