In this episode, we delve into the life of sagebrush songbirds with Emily Schertzer, a PhD candidate at the University of Wyoming. Emily shares her journey into ornithology, her methods for tracking these tiny birds, and the impact of human development and climate change on their habitats. We explore the intricacies of these songbirds' lives, their nesting habits, migration patterns, and the importance of clear scientific communication. Emily also describes the different species she studies, including Brewer's sparrows, sagebrush sparrows, and sage thrashers, and their interactions with each other and their environment. Lastly, we discuss the future of songbird conservation and the collaborative efforts needed to protect these migratory species.

00:00 Introduction to Sagebrush Songbirds

00:08 Meet Emily Schertzer: A Journey into Ornithology

01:04 Understanding Songbirds and Their Habitats

01:44 Emily's Path to Bird Research

02:34 Field Research in Sagebrush Habitats

04:42 Tracking Tiny Birds Across Continents

07:12 Challenges and Discoveries in Bird Tracking

07:56 The Importance of Sagebrush Habitat

11:07 Human Impact and Climate Change

12:24 Post-Fledging Period: A Critical Time

15:16 The Role of Communication in Science

18:02 The Significance of Bird Conservation

20:00 Migration Patterns and Connectivity

25:33 Predators and Threats to Songbirds

26:19 Conclusion

Learn more

The Wildlife Society

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Brewer's Sparrow Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Sage Thrasher Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Sagebrush Sparrow Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Light- level geolocators

Wyoming Cooperative Research Unit

State of the Birds Report