Episode 48: Bird Keepin' It Real: Interview with Animal Keeper Gavin McGrath of Maymont Foundation in Richmond, Virginia

Explicit content warning

10/02/22 • 56 min

Vengeful owls, sloppy bears, and vultures hungry for human flesh: that's just another day on the job for Gavin, lead animal keeper for Maymont Foundation in Richmond, Virginia. Maymont is a free historic park located in the capitol of Virginia that features rescued and rehabilitated animals. Among these animals are several hawks, owls, and vultures that Gavin helps care for every day. Along with feeding them and administering medicines, Gavin also has meaningful and hilarious encounters everyday with these amazing animals. Join us for some laughs, learning, and a good time all around! Also, special shout out to Mohi!!!

Previous Episode

Episode 47: Ready and Whip-Poor-Willing (Eastern Whip-Poor-Will)

Summer nights just wouldn't be the same without the ethereal call of the Eastern Whip-Poor-Will. Sadly, the nights are growing quieter as this bird's populations plummet. Learn the secrets of this elusive, nocturnal bird on this episode of Dirty Bird Podcast and why its numbers are declining. John combs through the latest research to discuss this big-mouthed bird's life history, vocalizations, and mysterious evolutionary history. Listen and learn about this bird!
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All Bird calls are from Xeno-Canto.org unless listed otherwise
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Whip-Poor-Will Intro Call: By Joseph Fell
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Whip-Poor-Will Call 1: by Paul Marvin
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“Summer night in Georgia” by jymdavis from freesound.org
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Mexican Whip-poor-Will: by Scott Olmstead
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Chuck-Wills-Widow: by Eric DeFonso
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Pauraque: by Paul Driver
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Whip-Poor-Will song 2: by Bruce Lagerquist
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Whip-Por-Will song with Cluck by Martin St-Michel
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Chuck call by Paul Marvin
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Outro Song by the Sidewalk Slammers

Next Episode

Episode 49: Okie Dokie Towhee (Eastern and Spotted Towhee)

In this episode, Dr. John explores the life history of the Eastern and Spotted Towhee. While common birds in backyards and parks, there’s many interesting facts about them the average birder doesn’t know. Did you know their eye color varies with region? Or that humans and towhees share a microbiome? And what the heck do Towhees have to do with Shakespeare?! Listen to this episode to find out more! Dr. John reads all the research papers so you don’t have to! Learn everything you need to know about these two amazing bird species.
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Learn about: The meaning of their scientific name, their feeding and breeding behaviors, what kind of habitats they prefer, their evolutionary history, causes of predation and disease, and how their population numbers are doing. All facts are supported by research and review of scientific articles.
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Bird calls used in the show are from xeno-canto.org

Intro Eastern Towhee Song by Molly Jacobson

Intro Spotted Towhee Song by Manuel Grosselet

Towhee Saying its name by Caio Brito

Chewink call by John A. Middleton Jr. 2:00

Drink your tea song by Christopher McPherson 17:00

Communication call by Christopher McPherson

Spotted Towhee song by Manuel Grosselet

Spotted Towhee mew by Thomas Magarian

Blue-Grey Catbird mew by Russ Wigh

Combined chewink and song by Christopher McPherson

Tea song with flair by Christopher McPherson