Podcast

The Real Birding Podcast

Hobbies, Leisure

Hosted by lifelong birders Will Keller and Caleb Putnam, the Real Birding Podcast is a weekly exploration of the avian world. Episodes cover everything from birding hotspots to the conservation of rare species, with guest interviews, lively discussions, and the occasional quiz between hosts. Whether you're just getting started or have years in the field, there's something here for every birder.

Episodes
69
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
36 min
On air since
2025
Latest episode
1 day ago

Episodes

69 episodes, newest first

  1. Ep. #64: Mr. Putnam Migrates to Boulder

    Show notes

    What does an expert birder do when they move accross the country? They Bird.

    37 min
  2. Ep. #63: Birding Southern Mexico

    Show notes

    Vamanos! Its time for another episode of the Real Birding Pod!

    39 min
  3. Ep.#62: Birds and Radar; How We Solved This Birding Mystery

    Show notes

    Check the radar folks, birds are falling out of the sky!

    36 min
  4. Ep. #61: The Most Difficult Bird to See (and How it Ruined my Weekend)

    Show notes

    Some birds are just not meant to be seen... Black Rails might be one of them.

    30 min
  5. EP. #60: Who Would Win the Birding World Cup?

    Show notes

    What if the world cup was decided by which team had the best all around birding?

    Who wins your bracket?

    https://cup-predictor.com/createbracket

    43 min
  6. Ep. #59: Birding During the Dog Days

    Show notes

    Birding during the dog days can be challenging but also super gratifying. Caleb and Will break down their recent finds and give tips on how to max out your summer birding!

    38 min
  7. Ep. #58: How to Keep the Spring Vibes Going

    Show notes

    What do birders do when Spring Migration comes to a close? Find out here!

    41 min
  8. Ep. #57: Tales From Spring Migration

    Show notes

    In this episode of the Real Birding Pod, Caleb and Will recap some of the best moments of Spring Migration (so far!)

    30 min
  9. Ep. #56: Springtime Bird Vagrancy (the Craziest Records so Far This Year)

    Show notes

    Caleb and Will break down the craziest bird sightings of this spring season!

    37 min
  10. Ep. #55: Are You Prepared for Peak Spring Migration?

    Show notes

    Caleb and Will give tips and tricks to maximize the most wonderful time of the year: peak spring bird migration!

    35 min
  11. Ep. #54: How to Find Migrating Hawks

    Show notes

    Many birders have heard of hawk watching, but what is it? And how can the average birder intercept these amazing creatures as they head to and from their breeding grounds? This episode of the Real Birding Pod dives into the weird world of hawk watching!

    34 min
  12. Re-Run - How Social Media Changed Birding Forever

    Show notes

    In this re-run episode, Caleb and Will discuss the massive improvements that birding communication has undergone as a result of social media. But is it all sunshine and rainbows?

    39 min
  13. Ep. #53: How a Perfect Storm Led to a Record Breaking Bird Fallout

    Show notes

    Birding at its extreme: 40 mile an hour wind gusts, rare birds literally falling out of the sky. Even rarer birds being found in the background of photographes more than a year later. This episode breaks it all down.

    35 min
  14. Ep. #52: All About Hummingbirds!

    Show notes

    What to feed hummingbirds. When will they return? This week, Caleb and Will breakdown the amazing family that is Hummingbirds. From hummers with foot-long tails to hummers with 6-inch beaks, this one has something for everyone.

    41 min
  15. Ep. #51: ebird Surprise Me Challenge 3!

    Show notes

    Hosts Caleb and Will take on the eBird Surprise Me Challenge! This fin competition turns our own bird sightings into a bit of a game show as we see who has recorded the most of the random birds that eBird has to offer.

    35 min
  16. Ep. #50: All About Prairie Chickens!

    Show notes

    The Lesser Prairie Chicken was recently taken off of the endangered species list and now lacks the protections that the Endangered Species Act can provide. In this episode, Caleb and Will break down this decision and discuss the deeper cause of decline of this iconic species.

    40 min
  17. EP. #49: Bird Photography - Do You Really Need a Camera?

    Show notes

    Why is it that every birder these days is carrying around a massive camera? In this episode of the Real Birding Pod, Caleb and Will break down the role that the camera plays in the world of birding. From our top photos to tips and pointers, this episode is a great snapshot of avian photography!

    35 min
  18. Ep. #48: Yes, Spring Migration Starts in February...

    Show notes

    Ever wonder when spring migration truly starts? The truth is, spring migration begins in the middle of the winter. Listen as Caleb and Will break down the birds that we can expect to start seeing in the coming weeks as well as a report on pelagic birding and fun with the Birdie game!

    43 min
  19. Ep. #47: How AI is Saving Birds at Wind Farms

    Show notes

    In this episode of the Real Birding Podcast, Birding meets conservation, meets energy policy! This week, Caleb and Will sit down with Susan Downey, co-founder of Identiflight- a technology company that has been using AI to prevent bird harm to birds on wind farms. This one is a must watch!

    40 min
  20. Ep. #46: All About Tanagers!

    Show notes

    What even is a Tanager? This common name refers to may groups of birds accross the Americas, but the Tanagers that we know in North America are very different from the Neo-Tropic Tanagers of Central and South America! This episode, Caleb and Will break down the difference and dive into this shocking group of birds.

    39 min