Ivan is the creator and host of The Science of Birds podcast, which has been working for 5 years and now options greater than 120 episodes. The present focuses on ornithology—the biology of birds—whereas remaining accessible to a large viewers of birders and nature fanatics. He’s additionally the co-owner of the birding tour firm Wild Latitudes, spending a lot of his time touring the world to steer birding excursions. A passionate birder and naturalist, Ivan considers himself at first a science communicator. Via his podcast and area work, he goals to encourage a deeper understanding and love not solely of birds, however of science and pure historical past as a complete. We have been pleased to get him to do an interview with 10,000 Birds.
Why ought to anybody taken with birds spend time with a podcast after they might examine birds on 10,000 Birds?
10,000 Birds is a incredible on-line useful resource, no query. Podcasts present an ideal various to these individuals who want to study by listening, as a result of it suits their busy life-style or just matches how they absorb data. Audio helps you to study whereas driving, jogging, glassblowing, or no matter. And it seems listening to podcasts is considerably safer than studying a weblog publish whereas driving?
We’re fortunate to stay in a time when so many types of free instructional, entertaining media coexist. Folks can study with textbooks, web sites, podcasts, and movies. I’ve began experimenting with YouTube for The Science of Birds, which provides one other layer to my content material, with its personal strengths. Totally different folks gravitate to totally different codecs, and I really like that my podcast is a kind of choices.
Do you’ve got a favourite hen species or hen household?
That’s at all times a tough query! I hold an ever-growing checklist of favourite species, and barely does one drop off. If somebody pressured me to decide on a single favourite, I’d in all probability say the Inexperienced Jay—a lot in order that it’s the topic of my one and solely hen tattoo. Different favorites on my checklist embrace Razorbill, Wallcreeper, Larger Roadrunner, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Night Grosbeak, Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, Purple-breasted Nuthatch, Purple-faced Warbler, Wandering Tattler, Blood Pheasant, Cedar Waxwing… and on and on.
As for households, I am keen on laughingthrushes (household Leiothrichidae), woodpeckers (household Picidae), and wrens (household Troglodytidae), amongst others (like kingfishers, sandpipers, and hornbills). Similar to with species, I can’t choose just one.
Are you able to inform us a bit concerning the historical past of your podcast? When did you begin it, and why?
The thought was simmering earlier than 2020—I’ve lengthy been fascinated by digital media—however the COVID-19 lockdown gave me the push. My day job as a birding tour chief for Wild Latitudes got here to a sudden cease, and like many individuals, I wished one thing significant to do this might additionally assist others address isolation and anxiousness. Birds and nature are excellent for that.
From the beginning, I aimed for prime quality and longevity, not only a short-term mission. 5 years and greater than 120 episodes later, the podcast has grow to be what I contemplate my proudest skilled accomplishment. I find it irresistible and haven’t any plans to cease.
What are typical matters of particular person episodes, and the way do you provide you with them?
Episodes normally alternate between deep dives on a single species or household (generally a genus or a broad group like seabirds) and broader bird-biology themes—anatomy, ecology, or conduct related to many species. Often, I give attention to the birds of a selected place.
Once I’m touring, I report From the Area episodes in lodge rooms concerning the birds and habitats I’m visiting. For instance, I lately produced an episode on my travels in Japan.
Lately, I added Random Chicken Thursdays, quick unscripted episodes the place I choose one of many world’s 11,000+ hen species at random and put it within the highlight for 15–20 minutes.
I hold a working checklist of 5–10 upcoming matters, however keep versatile, generally altering course on the final minute. I additionally intentionally tempo out predictable “crowd-pleasers” (like owls or penguins) so I can hold the present recent for years.
Which matters are typically hottest, and that are much less so?
The preferred episodes function acquainted birds—particularly North American yard species—as a result of most listeners are within the U.S. and Canada. A Northern Cardinal episode, for example, naturally attracts extra performs than one on a hen attribute of, let’s say, New Caledonia or Uganda. Episodes about uncommon or geographically restricted species nonetheless get love, however many listeners select the acquainted birds first and (hopefully) circle again later to take heed to the remaining.
What sort of suggestions do you obtain, optimistic and destructive?
Fortunately, the suggestions is overwhelmingly optimistic. Listeners e-mail heartfelt notes saying the podcast has deepened their relationship with birds or has grow to be a household favourite. That encouragement retains me motivated.
Unfavorable suggestions is uncommon however memorable. A few listeners objected after I gently expressed a want that waterfowl habitat be protected for the birds’ personal sake somewhat than primarily for looking. A number of others don’t take care of my humorousness or fashion—and that’s okay. I’d somewhat be genuine and entice the precise viewers than attempt to please everybody.
Do you’ve got particular targets you need to obtain with the podcast?
Sure. I need to assist folks recognize not solely birds however science itself—how science works and the way the whole lot in nature is interconnected. I like to think about birds as form of a “Trojan Horse” for sneaking in concepts that foster a broader scientific literacy and an understanding of pure historical past.
With out being heavy-handed, I hope listeners come away with a richer sense of how birds match into ecosystems and, finally, how all life—together with people—is interconnected. That’s a lofty objective, however I’m pleased to provide it my greatest.
Your podcasts are lengthy and frequent. How lengthy does it take to organize an episode?
Every scripted episode takes about 25 to 40 hours. Most of that’s analysis and writing, with a few days for outlining and one other for recording and modifying. I like to decide on phrases rigorously and even craft the jokes, somewhat than merely riffing from a top level view. I don’t assume I’m a perfectionist, however I intention for precision and readability. And even when I had extra time to make a number of revisions and method “perfection” with my episodes, there’s solely a lot I can do, proper? I gotta stay my life, too, and perhaps get some sleep often.
How do the economics work? Is the podcast self-financing through Patreon or primarily an advert for Wild Latitudes excursions?
From the beginning, I hoped the podcast could possibly be a part of my profession, and it’s. Patreon assist has grown steadily and now offers important supplemental earnings, although not sufficient to stay on by itself. I often point out Wild Latitudes excursions, however that wasn’t the first motive for creating the present. Patreon donors are actually the spine, making it doable for the podcast to stay free and broadly accessible.
How vital is humor in your podcasts?
Very. Humor retains the method enjoyable for me, which prevents burnout, and it retains listeners engaged. I like sprinkling in quirky, surprising jokes—issues no AI might convincingly pretend. In an age of AI-generated media, genuine human character stands out. Just a little silliness refreshes the listener’s consideration and makes even dense matters extra fulfilling. In idea, anyway.
What are your plans for the podcast?
I plan to maintain going for a few years. My newer Random Chicken Thursday episodes assist me publish extra usually with out including an enormous further workload. Past audio, I envision the podcast because the hub of a much bigger science-communication ecosystem: extra YouTube movies, maybe stay stage reveals or lectures within the Science of Birds fashion, and perhaps books. All of these would department from the podcast whereas feeding again into it.
Do you regularly take heed to podcasts your self? Any suggestions for hen lovers?
I take heed to podcasts on many matters, however—maybe paradoxically—not a lot the bird-specific ones. Partly, that’s as a result of many different podcasts give attention to birding somewhat than hen biology. Birding is a gigantic ardour of mine, however I’m a wee bit much less taken with listening to different folks speak about it.
That stated, I like to recommend the American Birding Affiliation Podcast, which options fascinating interviews and discussions, and Birds of a Feather Discuss Collectively, which is extra scientific, and due to this fact nearer to my pursuits. I’ve additionally been a visitor on Simply the Zoo of Us, which isn’t strictly about birds however usually contains them. It’s a enjoyable present to take heed to.
Given the present political scenario within the U.S., how do you deal with politics in your podcast?
I principally don’t. Birders span the political spectrum, and I attempt to foster appreciation for birds, science, and conservation with out alienating anybody.
Many listeners say the podcast is a welcome break from political noise. When conservation points require it, I’ll word failures to guard habitat and spotlight these working for optimistic change, however I keep away from turning the present right into a supply of gloom and doom. My objective is to encourage pleasure, optimism, and optimistic motion, not despair. I admit that it’s a tough steadiness to search out.
