HMH Podcasts

Roger Tory Peterson referred to the American Robin as the one bird that everybody knows, but there's more to this species than its trademark orange breast.

The spectacularly colorful triangular bill of the Atlantic Puffin is one of the most recognizable features of any bird. Find out more about this distinctive and-dare we say-cute species.

Who was Roger Tory Peterson and how did he manage, at the age of 25, to revolutionize birdwatching?

Behind the symbol that decorates our currency lies a very real, powerful, and impressive bird

Birds are famous for their beautiful plumage, but their songs and sounds are just as much a part of their identity and day-to-day life.

Meet the uniquely adapted bird behind one of the wilderness's most haunting voices.

Web-footed and water-loving, this large, diverse, and gregarious group of birds is a favorite of birders and nonbirders alike.

Finches are a diverse group united by their short, heavy bills designed for cracking seeds as well as a tendency toward bright colors and cheerful songs.

Flycatchers as a family aren't as well known as warblers or finches, yet they comprise the most diverse family of birds in the New World. Take a peek inside the not-so-well-known but still fascinating family.

Cartoons, however funny, don't capture the true personality of this classic desert bird.

Graceful, water-loving aerialists, gulls and terns are constant companions at the water's edge. Rather than an exhaustive identification seminar, this video focuses on the range of variation within this elegant group.

Roger Tory Peterson had great impact as a writer, artist, educator, and conservationist, becoming a true celebrity and being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Beautiful birds that are fun and easy to watch, these familiar waders are great for beginning birdwatchers.

Everyone wants to know of a bird: What is it? Here's how to start answering that question.

Found only in the New World, the hummingbirds are famous for their bold colors, nectar-feeding habits, seemingly endless energy, and their singular ability to fly backward.

Meadowlarks are at once familiar and yet surprisingly little known.

A serious contender for the title of "Most Brilliant Backyard Bird," the Northern Cardinal is on just about everyone's list of favorite birds.

Who doesn't love owls? With their big eyes, mysterious faces, and nocturnal habits, owls are just downright fascinating.

What the Northern Mockingbird lacks in bright colors, it makes up for in vocal prowess.

Often cited as one of the world's fastest birds, the Peregrine Falcon is a formidable predator by any standard.

Range maps provide a wealth of useful and interesting information in a simple visual form, once you learn a few basic ground rules for using them.

The diurnal birds of prey-hawks, falcons, and their relatives-are famous for their beauty, power, and command of the air.

As exciting as they are, raptors pose a number of identification challenges. This video will help you identify hawks, falcons, and their relatives.

The bold, bright pattern of the Red-headed Woodpecker makes it a favorite among birders.

When you're ready to take on the challenge of shorebird identification, this video will give you some simple tips to begin a lengthy but rewarding journey.

Shorebirds have a reputation for being difficult to identify, but in reality, the family has a number of distinctive members. This video looks at some of the standouts in the shorebird clan.

From suburban backyards to the deep wilderness, thrushes are widely regarded as our most gifted singers.

Sparrows are a family that deserve a second look. Often maligned as being dull-colored and confusing, with a little study sparrows become a favorite of many birdwatchers.

In this case, topography refers not to mountains and valleys but to the parts of a bird. A basic knowledge of how birds are put together is incredibly useful in appreciating and identifying them.

Tiny, restless, and often stunningly beautiful, the warblers are a reliable source of joy and occasional frustration for birdwatchers in the New World.

An iconic American game bird, the Wild Turkey is one of the largest and surely one of the most distinctive members of our avifauna.

The colorful harlequin plumage of the Wood Duck makes it so striking as to seem unreal. Add to that its odd squealing calls and tree-nesting habits, and you have a most unusual duck.

Woodpeckers are surely one of the most distinctive families of birds, hitching their way up trees, chiseling out their food with specially designed bills and reinforced skulls. Woodpeckers tend to be attractively clad in bold patterns.