Quirky Creepy and Freaky

Episode 47: Red Kites Back from the Brink

It's a little late but finally here! This week we have a conservation tale of recovery, bringing the UK and Irish populations of the red kite back from extinction after centuries of being targeted by humans. Join me as we hear about what happened to these birds and how we were able to bring them back through one of the longest running conservation projects in history!

Episode 46: The Bobbit Worm of Doom

This week we are back to the ocean, talking about a polychaete worm, the bobbit worm! Unlike other worms we've talked about, this one is not a parasite, but they are still quite the predator, giving us one more reason living on land is pretty cool: You don't have to worry that a worm is going to jump out and pull you underground. What a time! 

Episode 45: Stella the Adventuring Sea Eagle

The Steller's Sea Eagle has been seen in Maine again for the last month or so, so that's our topic for today! Hear about this bird's incredible journey, as it made it's way from Alaska, to Texas, then moved between Canada and New England, and we'll also talk about where the sea eagle is supposed to live, and all that good stuff! 

For more information on the eagle's tour through North America: 

2022: https://maineaudubon.org/news/rare-bird-alert-stellers-sea-eagle/

2023: https://maineaudubon.org/news/rba-stse-2023/

 

Episode 44: How birds survive the cold of winter

We've had some episodes about crazy long bird migrations, but what about the birds that don't migrate and stay behind for winter? This episode talks about some of the ways birds survive the cold days of winter, including hoarding food, snuggling on up, and shivering. Birds have quite a few adaptations to survive winter, so tune on in to hear how they survive the cold! 

Also corrections corner: blackpoll warblers fly over the Atlantic ocean, not the Arctic; see episode 40 for more info! 

Episode 43: So...are bats primates? Part 2

Today we have the part 2 of our journey down the rabbit hole that is the Flying Primate Hypothesis! Without giving spoilers, this episode talks about the evidence against the hypothesis, and talks about what science is currently saying about how closely related bats are to primates (and therefore us!) and other groups. Find out in this episode if bats are more closely related to primates or to cats! 

Episode 42: Are bats primates? Part 1

And we're back! You, the listeners picked the episode today, and we have quite the episode! In what will be a 2 part series, we will be exploring the flying primate hypothesis, the idea that the large bats, flying foxes and fruit bats, were descended from primates! In this episode, we introduce the flying primate hypothesis, and introduce some of the drama and controversy surrounding it, and the supporting evidence.  

 

4 part paper drama: 

Pettigrew, J. 1991. Wings or Brain? Convergent Evolution in the Origins of Bats. Syst. Zool. (40)2: 199-216

Baker RJ, Novacek MJ, Simmons NB. 1991. On the monophyly of bats. Syst Zool. (40)2: 216-231

Simmons NB, Novacek MJ, Baker RJ. 1991. Approaches, Methods, and the Future of the Chiropteran Monophyly Controversy: A Reply to JD Pettigrew. Syst. Zool. (40)2: 239-243

Pettigre1 J. 1991. A fruitful, Wrong Hypothesis? Response to Baker, Novacek, and Simmons. Syst Zool (40)2: 231-239

 

 

Episode 41: The History and Legends of Black Cats

Happy Halloween everyone! This week, we'll be exploring some of the history of superstitions surrounding black cats. Did you know that a black cat showing up in your door step could bring your prosperity? Or that black cats could actually be shape-shifting witches? Join us this week to learn all about your favorite kitties. 

 

 

Episode 40: Open Ocean Migrations of Tiny Birds

For episode 40 we are once again talking about fantastic feats of migration! Today, we talk about transoceanic migration paths of three small songbirds, the blackpoll warbler, Connecticut warbler, and the Bobolink, and how every fall they fly thousands of miles over the open ocean. 

A couple notes on mis-speaks: The Connecticut warbler flies to the Amazon Basin, and the Blackpoll warbler is indeed only 12g. 

Patreon: Patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

Episode 39: Save the Bees and Leave the Leaves

Fall is here, leaves are changing colors, so it's time to talk about pollinators! This is an important time of year to be thinking about supporting our native pollinators and native bees over winter, so tune in to learn about how you can use your fallen leaves to help the bees! For more information on how you can support your local pollinators, check out xerces.org. 

Patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

Episode 38: Blue Sharks and the Top 5 Fastest Sharks

In Episode 38, we have our third episode on sharks and the end of our shark unofficial miniseries! This episode we talk about blue sharks, and their migration patterns, their litters with all of the pups, and then we decide which sharks are the top five fastest sharks in the world. Tune in to find out where the blue shark fits in that list!

Patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod