Bison bison! Not just something to holler into the sky, but also the scientific name for North America's majestic wild bovines. In this encore, we explore a beast that once roamed the plains in the tens of millions. What's up with their humps? On what occasion do they wear capes? What noises do they make? How many are out there? What are the best ways to help them? In this special episode, you get 4x the usual number of ologists as we talk to archeologist Dr. Ken Cannon, wildlife biologist Dr. Dan McNulty, Alie's cousin Boyd and his wife Lila Evans, of the Blackfeet Tribe, who are bison ranchers based in Northern Montana. Also, once and for all: is it buffalo or bison? And can Alie hug one?

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We’re back with Dr. R.J. “Rocky” Gutiérrez to answer listeners’ questions on owls. How much wisdom lies behind those big, immovable eyes? Are owls good or bad omens? What’s their proclivity for snatching hats? Is The Staircase owl theory plausible? Is it ok to hoot back at them? What do you mean one of their toes is reversible? This episode’s got the answers, plus info on owl migration, conservation, burrowing, disco dancing, and more.

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Donations went to the International Owl Center and Northcoast Environmental Center

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Other episodes you may enjoy: Ornithology (BIRDS), FIELD TRIP: Birds of Prey and Raptor Facts, Condorology (CONDORS & VULTURES), Plumology (FEATHERS), Corvid Thanatology (CROW FUNERALS), Chickenology (HENS & ROOSTERS), Columbidology (PIGEONS? YES), Ophthalmology (EYES), Lutrinology (OTTERS), Lemurology (LEMURS), Procyonology (RACCOONS), Opossumology (O/POSSUMS), Scatology (POOP)

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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

Transcripts by Aveline Malek

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

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OWLS. FINALLY. In no particular order: what’s up with their eyes, legs, hoots, feathers, silent flight, nests, folklore, necks, barfs, conservation status, and omens? Go take a walk or sit on a porch in the dusk and make friends with Rocky. Dr. R.J. “Rocky” Gutiérrez is a celebrated researcher, Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota, a legend in the owl world, and simply one of the loveliest ologists. He’ll take us on a trip next to a river, scrambling up some trees, over rocky terrain and through the forest to learn why owls are so magnetic. Yeah, I called owls the best bird. Not backing down.

Follow Dr. Gutiérrez on Google Scholar

Donations went to the International Owl Center and Northcoast Environmental Center

More episode sources and links

Other episodes you may enjoy: Ornithology (BIRDS), FIELD TRIP: Birds of Prey and Raptor Facts, Condorology (CONDORS & VULTURES), Plumology (FEATHERS), Corvid Thanatology (CROW FUNERALS), Chickenology (HENS & ROOSTERS), Columbidology (PIGEONS? YES), Ophthalmology (EYES), Lutrinology (OTTERS), Lemurology (LEMURS), Procyonology (RACCOONS), Opossumology (O/POSSUMS), Scatology (POOP)

400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topic

Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes

Sponsors of Ologies

Transcripts and bleeped episodes

Become a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a month

OlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!

Follow Ologies on Instagram and Bluesky

Follow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTok

Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth

Transcripts by Aveline Malek

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.