Episode 59: An Elephant Bird Never Forgets: The 4 Extinct Elephant Birds of Madagascar

Explicit content warning

08/23/23 • 79 min

The (possibly recently!) extinct Elephant Birds were fittingly named. Not only were they the largest birds to ever live with eggs even bigger than dinosaur eggs, they also filled a vital niche in Madagascar similar to that of Elephants of mainland Africa. Learn all about the four extinct species of Elephant birds with John and Tim in this episode! We talk about their fossil record, amazing facts about their biology, their evolutionary history, and how they went extinct. Also, we cover the geological history of Madagascar and the arrival of the first humans to the island. Learn everything you need to know about Elephant Birds!
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Thanks for the iTunes review RMbirder!
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Big thanks to Astrapionte for providing the cover art for this episode! Find their artwork @strpit7108 on deviantart, youtube, and Reddit!
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Also huge shout out to everyone who voted in the Dirty Bird Daryl poll, personalized shout outs to everyone in this episode!
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Intro music by Ricky Pistone and outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers, find them wherever you get your music

Previous Episode

Episode 58: Spread Eagle: All about America's bird the Bald Eagle

In this 4th of July special, John talks all about America’s bird the Bald Eagle! While majestic appearing, the Bald Eagle has quite the bad reputation amongst those who have observed its habits up close, Benjamin Franklin even called it “very lousy”! But do its redeeming qualities make up for its sometimes nasty nature? Explore these topics as John tells you everything you need to know about the Bald Eagle! Also, the return of Punchy Joe who talks about the Bald Eagle pair that have spent 10 years raising young just off his dock. And a listener message from friend of the show Charlie! Learn about Bald Eagle Biology, their interactions with humans, how it became America's bird, Native american legends, about a Bald Eagle that fought in the civil war, threats to their population, and their evolutionary history. So put in your headphones, light up the BBQ, and press play on this episode!

Cover art by Jessica Coker! Check out all her work on her Instagram page @jessicacokerartist

Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers, check them out wherever you get your music

All bird sounds are from xeno-canto.org

Bald Eagle Call 1 by: Steve Hampton

Bald Eagle Call 2 by: Davyd Betchkayl

Bald Eagle Call 3 by: Paul Marvin

Osprey Call by: Bruce Lagerquist

Bald Eagle majestic call by: Russ Wigh

Red-Tailed Hawk Call by: Peter Ward and Ken Hall

Bald Eagle Capture call by Paul Marvin

Civil War music by adeluc4 from freesounds.org

Native American drum by sandyrb from freesounds.org

Bird flap by agentDD from freesounds.org

Landing sound by yoyodaman234 from freesounds.org

Find dirty bird podcast Tshirts at https://www.teepublic.com/user/dirtybird-podcast

Next Episode

Episode 60: Frig Off! (Magnificent Frigatebird)

Magnificent Frigatebird? More like Massive Frigatebird! With huge 7 foot wings, a big red throat sack, and the longest breeding period of any sea bird, the Magnificent Frigatebird lives life large. It even will throw its weight around to steal food from all manner of creatures, earning its comparison to a frigate warship. Learn all about the life history, evolution, and population threats to this amazing bird of the tropics.

All Bird Sounds are from xeno-canto.org

Begging Call by Ricardo José Mitidieri

Calling and bill snapping by Bobby Wilcox

Drumming by Leonardo Ordóñez-Delgado

Fighting sounds by Bobby Wilcox

Intro music by Ricky Pistone and Outro music by the Sidewalk Slammers. Check them out wherever you get your music

Short clip of “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe” by Barry White used