logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
7m 6s

Why do flightless birds have wings?

American Public Media
About this episode
Fish swim. Frogs hop. Birds fly. Well, not all birds. Penguins and ostriches, for instance, can’t spread their wings and soar. So then, why do they have wings?  We asked paleontologist Jingmai O’Connor to help us find the answer. Is there a question that’s got your tail feathers all in a twist? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact and we’ll find a reliable ... Show More
Up next
Oct 2025
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
8m 15s
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 mea ... Show More
3m 41s
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 to ... Show More
7m 4s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2019
Dinosaurs Take Flight! How Birds Evolved To Fly
What in the world can a giant ostrich and a prehistoric dinosaur tell us about the evolution of flight? Join Mindy, Guy Raz, a dino robot, and escaped zoo ostrich as they explore the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow in the World of FLIGHT! See Privacy Policy at https://a ... Show More
31m 22s
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
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
May 2025
Are birds dinosaurs?
Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show:Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find ... Show More
40m 34s
May 2023
What are Ostriches for?
<p>Meet the ostrich, one of nature’s most unusual creatures: a two-metre-tall, flightless bird that struts about the African savannah. CrowdScience listener Pat found herself entranced by seeing them on a wildlife documentary, where two ostriches were exhibiting some bizarre beha ... Show More
28m 41s
Jan 2025
Some Dinos Had Feathers. Did They Fly?
When you picture a dinosaur, what does it look like? For Jingmai O'Connor, paleobiologist and associate curator of reptiles at the Field Museum of Chicago, the dinosaurs she studies look a lot more like birds."If you looked at an artist's reconstruction of something like Velocira ... Show More
13m 18s
Jul 2020
Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Penguin Take-Off (encore)
Why is there a plane in Mindy's Gingerbread Mansion?! And what does that have to do with PENGUINS?! We've got the questions AND the answers on today's waddlin' round of Two Whats?! And A Wow! We're challenging you to find the facts from the fiction about penguins! See Privacy Pol ... Show More
9m 18s
Feb 2020
Phoenix Feathers
Fan would really like some friends, and there are lots of other birds around for her to hang out with! The only thing is they think she should be able to sing or hunt or grow really bright feathers, and... she can't. What will she do?? If you would like to support Stories Podcas ... Show More
18m 54s