Podcasts

Podcast: Bird Nerd Book Club; The Secret Perfume of Birds

April 25, 2025 by Hannah No Comments

In this episode of the Bird Nerd Book Club, Hannah chats with Danielle Whittaker about her 2022 book, The Secret Perfume of Birds. The puzzling lack of evidence for the peculiar but widespread belief that birds have no sense of smell irked evolutionary biologist Danielle Whittaker. Exploring the science behind the myth led her on an unexpected quest investigating mysteries from how juncos win a fight to why cowbirds smell like cookies. In The Secret Perfume of Birds—part science, part intellectual history, and part memoir—Whittaker blends humor, clear writing, and a compelling narrative to describe how scent is important not just for birds but for all animals, including humans.

Listen here!

Many birders line their shelves with field guides from across the world, travel tales from explorers, and scientific studies both recent and historical. The Bird Nerd Book Club takes a look at all genres of books from romantic fiction to biographies and memoirs to species guides. Join Hannah as she talks with authors about their beloved and new books all related to birds.

Read Donna’s post from 2022 about this book.

Written by Hannah
Hannah Buschert started birding in college thanks to a required Biology of Birds course and a professor who included Sir David Attenborough’s Life of Birds to punctuate lessons. Almost as if by accident, Hannah landed the dream job of Park Ranger in the Rio Grande Valley at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park where she guided many birders who filled her head with far-off destinations and incredible birds. Consequently, her beat is Adventures in Birding Here and There.Called home to the Oregon Coast to operate the family motel, in her free time Hannah leads Tufted Puffin walks and escapes to guide at birding festivals and explore the world as often as possible. Hannah is passionate about travel, tourism, and birding and hopes to inspire others through her podcasts: Hannah and Erik Go Birding, Women Birders (Happy Hour), and Bird Nerd Book Club.