That Quirky Bird Girl (Steph M)

Chirp, Chirpers! Ever wonder why American Robins are the ultimate worm detectives of the bird world? In this episode of Bird Banter, we’re wiggling our way into their quirky foraging antics, breaking down their signature silly hop (it’s a vibe, trust me), their international cousins, mirror fighting, and the ultimate showdown of male vs. female pizazzzzz. Expect some science, silliness, and plenty of feathery drama to keep you chirping away!

AND ON THAT NOTE... Are you chirping for more feathery fun? Join my Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and deep dives you won’t find anywhere else. I can't want to see you there!!

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a chirp-tastic review! Thank you!!!

Full episode drops this Tuesday, and trust me—you don’t want to miss it!

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On this week's episode, I am helping you prepare for your next avian adventure! Pack your pen and paper because we are getting into the NITTY GRITTY world of travel birding! I will share a few of my birding experiences across Europe and South America, filled with many-a-feathered friend and breathtaking views.

I'll be delivering some birdy tips on how to effectively plan your own trips to see the birds. You'll find valuable advice on finding prime birding spots, useful gear, questions to ask locals, and how to set expectations along the way.

PLUS, exciting news! I'll be launching custom birding travel itineraries on my Linktree, so you can focus on packing with your detailed birding plan in hand.

This is an episode that you're sure to find inspiring and informational, with lots of joy along the way.

Have you ever felt a color? Seen an emotion through the wings of a bird? In this episode, I’m inviting you into my world—into the way I experience birds, colors, and emotions.

Through a guided exercise, we’ll close our eyes together as I walk you through the colors and birds that represent different emotions in my mind. I’ll share how birds helped me express emotions and take action. This episode is deeply personal—an exploration of the way my mind works and how birds have shaped the way I understand and communicate with the world.

This is a new experience for me too, so I’ll be honest about the discomfort of sharing something so deeply personal. But I believe that by opening up, we can all start to see things a little differently—both in birds and in ourselves.

Interested in joining my Patreon before I remove the Free tier? Click here!

In this special episode, I’m joined by the incredibly multi-talented Romaine—a filmmaker, director, editor, writer, and actor—for my very first live bird tour episode! We take a walk through Central Park (yes, there were birds!) and talk about creativity, passion, and the birds that connect our worlds—both here in New York City and in his home country of France.

Romaine shares his story as a creative force, how his journey has evolved through video games and film, and how he’s constantly challenging the world around him with his art. We also get into some fun bird comparisons (spoiler: French birds have just as much attitude), and what it’s like to be inspired by nature even in a city full of chaos.

This episode isn’t just about birds—it’s about following your passion, staying curious, and seeing the world through a more intentional, creative lens. And if you’ve been curious about what one of my bird tours is like, this episode gives you a glimpse.

Check out Romain's IMBD: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5914941/

Follow him on IG: https://www.instagram.com/romain_gresillon/

What if I told you that birds changed my life? That my time with them helped me face my fears, step into new spaces, and redefine what I believed I was capable of?

In this episode, I share my deeply personal journey of how birds became more than just something I watched—they became my guides. They helped me navigate uncertainty, heal from adversity, accept my neurodiversity, and ultimately find the confidence to explore and expand my world.

If you’ve ever struggled with fear of the unknown, feeling out of place, or wondering how to turn pain into power, this is the episode for you. Set your binoculars aside, pour yourself a glass of wine, and let’s talk about how birds helped me take flight—literally and figuratively.

This is the linktree to support my channels, GoFundMe, or join my Patreon!

In this episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, I sit down with the one and only brilliant and inspirational Steve Burrows, author of the acclaimed Birder Murder Mystery series, to delve into his journey from environmental journalism to crafting compelling bird-themed mysteries to traveling the world to see some of the most beautiful birds that you could imagine. We discuss what drew him to the avian world, his writing process, and the inspiration behind his beloved series featuring DCI Domenic Jejeune. From the first novel, A Siege of Bitterns, to the upcoming A Deceit of Lapwings (As a Lapwing lover, I am sooooo excited!!), Steve shares insights into blending bird adventures with crime fiction.

Learn more about Steve and his work at steveburrows.org!!

Welcome back to another episode of Bird Banter—and oh, this one’s for my drama queens and forest baddies. Today we’re talking all about the Blue Jay—nature’s loudest, pettiest, and most persistent bird.

In this episode, I’m diving into Blue Jay lore:

• How these birds mimic hawk calls just for fun (or survival)
• Why they are absolute food hoarders and red-bellied woodpecker’s worst nightmare
• How they’re low-key the Real Housewives of the bird world—bold, messy, but kinda admirable
• And why watching them reminds me to be unapologetically bold, loud, and strong in my own life

They may be chaotic, but Blue Jays are also excellent community members when it matters—proving you can be a little petty and protective at the same time.

PLUS: I’m giving a quick shoutout to one of my favorite reads Understanding Bird Behavior by Wenfei Tong — highly recommend if you’re as obsessed as I am.

Get ready to fall in love (or develop a mild fear) of Blue Jays. Sometimes the loudest one in the room is the one you should pay attention to.

In this episode, we’re diving into the many lessons birds teach us about embracing who we are—quirks, strengths, and all! From the bold strut of a Eurasian Oystercatcher to the unshakable resilience of a Blue Jay (even in the face of a Red Tailed Hawk!), we’ll explore how our feathered friends inspire us to rise above the chaos of daily life and reconnect with what truly matters. Stick around for some fun and practical tips on birdwatching your way—because there’s no right way to love birds! Let’s laugh, learn, and grow together as we figure out how to be(ak) ourselves!

From childhood fascination to full-fledged bird nerd, my journey with birds has been deeply intertwined with my neurodivergence. In this episode, I dive into how birds have shaped my understanding of the world, offering both structure and spontaneity in ways that resonate with my mind. I explore the key moments that sparked my love for birds, the unique ways neurodivergent folks connect with nature, and how leaning into chirpchasing has helped me embrace who I am.

This episode is about celebrating the joy, curiosity, and deep personal connection that birds bring into our lives.

Share in the comments if you are the Great Blue Heron with the dragonfly or fish!!

Check out my linktree here!

In this here episodio (spanish added, because this guest speaks AND teaches Spanish), I’m joined by birder, author, and educator Heather Wolf for a conversation that honestly just feels like two bird gals geeking out—hard. We dive into the wonderful beauty and chaos of urban bird loving right here in Brooklyn, NYC, because yes, birds are literally everywhere if you’re paying attention (and boy, oh boy, are we!!). Heather shares what drew her into the world of birds (spoiler: birds are an amazing lifestyle!!), how she tackles tricky birds like sparrows and gulls with glee, and why mockingbirds might actually be the messy yet bold drama queens of the bird world. We also dive into the power of mentors across borders, the joy of sharing her passions with others, and those big bird dreams we all secretly have (looking directly at you, rare: cerulean warbler).

YALL -- The much requested, highly anticipated TQBG limited edition pins are available for pre-order!! RESERVE YOUR PIN TODAY !!!

Follow Heather Wolf:

Instagram

TikTok

Bluesky

Website (book her for a juggling, spanish, or bird workshop!! yes, she really is that cool!)

Buy her book, Find More Birds or Birding at the Bridge

A neurodivergent love story

Some people have defining moments in life that come full circle. For me? It’s always been birds and language. Every major shift, every heartbreak, every season of growth—birds have been there. And so has my love for words, specifically Spanish and Italian.

In this episode, I get vulnerable about how birds shaped my relationship with language, how they helped me process emotions before I even had the words, and why my neurodivergent brain just clicks with both birds and linguistics. I share how every chapter of my life seems to loop back to these two constants and how bird colors, sounds, and behaviors literally helped me learn new languages.

From the Northern Cardinal reminding me of my own boldness to the gentle, grounding presence of American Robins, birds have always had a way of making me feel understood.

If you’ve ever felt deeply connected to something that just makes sense to you, or if you’re curious how birds can actually help someone learn a new language (yes, really), then come sit with me for a bit. This episode is for us—the ones who see and dream the world a little differently.

In this episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, we dive into the small yet impactful ways we can empower the bird lover within ourselves and support our chunky bird friends. I’ll chat tips to enhance your birding adventures to exciting legislative changes being championed by politicians and activists, this episode is for new and experienced birders alike. We also discuss the Merlin app, a game-changing tool for bird enthusiasts, and spotlight our ‘Chirper of the Week,’ Joe, for his amazing contributions to our community!

Don’t forget to join me live at 9 p.m. EST on Wednesday for a Q&A session, tune into ‘StephSquawks’ on Thursday at 9 p.m. EST for some fun bird calls, and come birding with me this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST. For resources, updates, and more, visit my Linktree. Together, we will make a flocking difference!

In this close-to-my-heart episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, I share the my emotional story of how birds have been my greatest healers, guiding me through self-discovery and joy. Together, we’ll explore how to categorize different birds to inspire and grow our own happiness, making life just a bit more colorful alongside birds like Blue Jays and Western Ospreys.

I also have an exciting announcement about the launch of our book club (hint: it’s for all my Chirpers who love our bird friends and personal growth)! Join me as we celebrate healing, growing, birds, and becoming our truest, quirkiest selves.

If you loved this podcast episode, leave a review and be sure to follow me across TikTok and Twitch for my live streams!

What if I told you that birds didn’t just change the way I see the world—they changed the way I speak? That their colors, movements, and presence helped me understand emotions, translate feelings into words, and even learn new languages?

In this episode, I take you deeper into my journey of experiencing the world through bird colors—this time, through the lens of language. I’ll share how birds became my bridge to understanding emotions in English, how their colors shaped the way I process feelings, and how that connection led me to learning Spanish and Italian.

If you’ve ever struggled to find the right words for what you feel, or if you’re curious about the unexpected ways nature can shape language and expression, this episode is for you.

Interested in joining my Patreon community while the Free tier is still available? Click here!

Check out my Patreon linked here and join the AMAZING chirpchasing community -- I can't wait to see you there!!

If you're interested in supporting my journey, support my GoFundMe to improve my equipment for podcasting AND posting!! Your support means the world - and thank you so much for helping me make my dreams come true!

In this episode ofThat Quirky Bird Girl, we’re diving intoThe Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman and exploring how birds can inspire our own adaptability, intelligence, and resilience. From the clever problem-solving of Caribbean Grackles to the unwavering determination of Western Ospreys, we’ll break down how these birds can teach us to trust ourselves, take chances, and embrace flexible thinking.

But that’s not all! I’m also taking you along on my chirpchasing adventures in London! Featuring a surprise run-in with an Eurasian Jay that had me literally sprinting across Richmond Park, this trip was full of magical bird moments!! I’ll be sharing stories from my time wandering through this historic park, stumbling upon unexpected wildlife, and soaking in the beauty of international birds.

Want to hear the full breakdown of Chapter 1? I’ll be uploading it toYouTubethis Wednesday!

Consider joining myPatreonfor exclusive content and behind-the-scenes updates!

If you love what I do and want to help me upgrade my equipment for even better bird content, you can support myGoFundMehere!

Stay curious, stay quirky, and keep chirping!

In this episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, we kick off our journey into The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman—but with a twist. As we explore how birds challenge our understanding of their brains and what they're capable of, I couldn’t help but ask… are we underestimating ourselves too?

I dive into the key themes from the introduction, reflecting on how birds have shaped my perspective, supported my self-growth, and even mirrored my own neurodivergent journey. This episode is part science, part self-discovery, and a whole lot of bird love.

And this is just the beginning! I’ll be continuing this series with Chapter 1 next, so stay tuned. If you want me to tag you when that episode drops, let me know in the comments!

Want to dive even deeper? Join my Patreon for exclusive content and discussions around The Genius of Birds—plus a way to support me as I grow my platform!

Can’t wait to see you there, Chirpers!

In this magical outdoor episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, we’re birding in the heart of one of the most iconic cities in the world—Central Park, NYC! Amid the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps, we uncover a vibrant world of birds, from Dark-Eyed Juncos to American Robins, and even Blue Jays showing off their mimicry of Red-Tailed Hawks.

This episode is about more than just spotting birds; it’s about finding our place in nature, sharing our “why” for loving and protecting our feathered friends, and letting go of the fear of what others think. The Central Park landscape here in New York City provides the perfect backdrop for exploring how birds can help us grow, connect, and discover joy TOGETHER—right in the middle of the best and brightest city in the world.

Join me for a walk through my urban oasis, as we celebrate the birds, our shared love for them, and what we can all do to keep their songs alive—one bird and one moment at a time.