Laura Erickson's For the Birds
For the love, understanding, and protection of birds.
Laura Erickson
Show overview
Laura Erickson's For the Birds has been publishing since 2023, and across the 3 years since has built a catalogue of 260 episodes. That works out to roughly 25 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a several-times-a-week cadence.
Episodes typically run under ten minutes — most land between 5 min and 6 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language Science & Medicine show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 3 days ago, with 42 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2024, with 106 episodes published. Published by Laura Erickson.
From the publisher
"For the Birds" began airing on KUMD in Duluth, MN, in May, 1986, and is the longest continually-running radio program about birds in the U.S. Hundreds more episodes are available for free at http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/.
Latest Episodes
View all 260 episodesNot a very warm welcome
You CAN Go Home Again
Down to the Wire (Time Sensitive)
Whip-poor-will
NDAs and Our Culture of Secrecy, Part 2: Democracy dies in darkness
NDAs and Our Culture of Secrecy, Part 1: Not All Secrets Are Bad.
An Essay by My Inspirational Mentor
"Anything Can Happen" Day
Thank You, Horned Larks
The Colors of Everyday Life
Harris's Hawk and the Movie "Hamnet"
Agnes's bird in the movie and book, *Hamnet* is specified to be a falcon--a kestrel. But the falcon was portrayed in the movie by a completely unrelated bird from an entirely different continent--a Harris's Hawk. Laura didn't mind this at all--indeed, there were excellent reasons for using this "incorrect" species. Laura is in Colorado right now--this was recorded in her hotel room. She doesn't know if there will be more new programs this week--after today this is going to be one intense birding trip.
For the Birds Retrospective, Part 3: Things start to get silly.
Most "For the Birds" programs have been pretty straightforward, but Laura's occasionally done some silly programs.
For the Birds Retrospective Part 2-Radio?!
Laura never imagined doing anything on the radio, until a cataclysmic event made her rush in to fill a vacuum.
For the Birds Retrospective: Part 1, seeking my niche in the Duluth birding community
As "For the Birds" approaches its 40th anniversary next month, Laura's thinking back on what made her start this radio show in the first place. The family portrait photo was taken within a month or two of my starting "For the Birds." (No April Fools Day program this year--Laura couldn't find anything fun in the news.)
OLDIE: Turn Around
The California Ravens sang this oldie sometime around 2000. Katherine Erickson on piano.
OLDIE: Jim Baker's Oil of Ojay
I'm not sure when this first aired--probably around 2000--but I am adding it now because I'm posting several funny programs in time for April Fool's Day.
OLDIE: Jim Baker's Blue Jay Board Games
A commercial for Jim Baker's new assortment of board games to keep your Blue Jays entertained.
OLDIE: Jim Baker's Jaybelline Eye Cosmetics
Another oldie from 20 or 30 years ago, an ad for a new line of products available at Baker's Blue Jay Barn. (Jim Baker voiced by John Keenan.)
OLDIE: Baker's Blue Jay Video Games
This was from a December sometime in the 90s.
OLDIE: Baker's Blue Jay Blend: Not Just for Blue Jays Anymore
Jim Baker discovers the wonder of chickadees!