logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
4m 2s

Do birds cough or sneeze?

American Public Media
About this episode

Birds have a lot going on. They fly, chirp, sing, make nests, lay eggs. But can they cough or sneeze? We asked biologist Imogene Cancellare to help us find the answer.


Got a question that’s flying around in your brain? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help quack the case.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Oct 8
We’re back! Brains On Universe has a new headquarters
We’re back! We’ve officially moved into our new headquarters! Come unpack with us and get a tour while we fill you in on some big news. Plus, new episodes of Brains On coming later this month and new Smash Boom and Forever Ago after that. If you want to support the show or drop u ... Show More
7m 30s
Jun 2025
A big update about Moment of Um and the Brains On Universe
We're moving the Brains On Universe Headquarters, and that means we have to stop putting out new episodes until we get settled. We know: not cool. But, our new home is going to be bigger and better and the absolute BEST. We can't wait until it's ready for you to visit.In the mean ... Show More
2m 57s
Jun 2025
How do braces work?
They come in cool colors, catch popcorn kernels and sometimes even have spacers - it’s braces! Ever wondered how braces magically straighten teeth? We asked Dr. ArNelle Wright - a real life dentist! - to help us break down the science of these tiny metal wonders.Bracing for a tou ... Show More
6m 19s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
How Do Birds Fly?
Have you ever watched birds soaring in the sky and wondered... How do they fly like that? Our guest,  Alex Troutman, wildlife biologist and science communicator, is here to explain it all. A lifetime birding enthusiast, Alex turned his interest in birds into a job as a scientist. ... Show More
28m 45s
Apr 2023
Ep08 all about birds
Hummingbirds lay the smallest eggs ,the eggs (of bee) Hummingbirds are about 0.2 inches long .Ostrich lay the biggest birds  eggs ,they can weigh up to 5.5 pounds .and they are so hard that a human adult can stand on them without breaking them ,not all eggs are white or brown , t ... Show More
2m 17s
Aug 2025
Why are puffins' beaks so colorful?
<p>Have you ever seen a puffin? With their bright beaks, orange feet and black and white coloring, these birds are very cool to look at. And we’ve gotten a lot of questions about them! In this episode, we talk with Don Lyons, an educator and avian ecologist with the Seabird Insti ... Show More
39m 34s
Sep 2024
Albatross
In this episode we learn about a super cool sea bird, the albatross. The albatross has a huge wingspan, can soar for hundreds of miles, and has an unusual mating dance. Check it out here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EYNazaodHg We learn about all these things and more in this ... Show More
17m 34s
Jan 2021
Can a Flying Fish really fly?
<p>When you think about animals that can fly, fish probably don't make the list. But there is a type of fish that can fly...well, kind of.</p> <p>Additional Links and Resources:</p> <p>Paper airplane tutorials: <a href="https://www.foldnfly.com/#/1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2">foldnfly.com</ ... Show More
3m 34s
Feb 2022
Birds of a Feather Learn Together
Mindy and Guy Raz are dropping off Reggie at the University of Clever Birds, where they learn about a new class all about opening... trash cans?! Discover how the Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo can break into any trash can! It's the who, what, when, where, why, how and WOW of Bird Beaks ... Show More
22m 54s
Oct 2024
Achoo! How fast does a sneeze travel?
<p>Every sneeze is like a snowflake. Unique, beautiful, wet! Sneezes help our noses get rid of stuff that’s not supposed to be there, like dust, dirt, or pollen. But how fast do sneezes travel? And how exactly does our body make them?<br><br>Join Molly and co-host Anna as they ex ... Show More
26m 40s
Dec 2024
Brainy Birds: Crows, Ravens, and Parrots
Did you know that some birds are super smart? In this episode, we’ll explore how crows, ravens, and parrots use their brains in amazing ways. These birds can solve tricky puzzles, make tools to get food, and even remember things for a long time. Parrots can copy human speech, and ... Show More
9m 37s
Nov 2024
Some birds talk, but do they understand you? With Irene Pepperberg, PhD
“Birdbrain” may be an insult, but birds are far smarter than they’re often given credit for. Irene Pepperberg, PhD, talks about her five decades of research with gray parrots, how she teaches parrots to communicate with English words, how birds’ mathematical and other abilities c ... Show More
38m 55s
Nov 13
Strigiformology (OWLS) Part 2 with R. J. Gutiérrez
<p>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 the ... Show More
1h 11m