This is part 1 of a 3-part series covering avian mating behaviors, nesting behaviors and finally their eggs. Today my guest is Jeff Babson, you might remember him from a number of other episodes, namely 7, 16, 22 and 23, all of which I encourage you to check out, if you haven’t already listened to them. Jeff is an all-around naturalist who currently works for the Pima County Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, as the county’s Wildlife Viewing Program Specialist. He also runs his own eco-tour and environmental education company, called Sky Island Tours. You will often find Jeff leading walks that focus on birds, insects and plants. You can join Jeff on a Bird Walk at El Rio on the 1st Tuesday of every month. Pima County Environmental Education and Interpretive Programshttps://webcms.pima.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=32567Southwest Wingshttps://www.swwings.org/Time Stamps00:00 - Intro01:14 - Recent Birding at El Rio02:38 - Spring-time Avian Visitors04:04 - Curve-billed Thrasher in the Background04:21 - Jeff's Time in the Bahamas06:26 - How James Bond got his Name07:19 - Clapper Rails, Key West Quail Doves and White-crowned Pigeons10:53 - Tips for Visiting the Bahamas for Birding12:32 - Book: A Guide to The Birds of the North Andros Island15:04 - Bird of the Episode: Great Lizard Cuckoo25:55 - Focus of the Episode: Avian Mating Behaviors26:07 - Hummingbirds and Promiscuity29:07 - Hermit Hummingbirds are a Little Different31:37 - House Finches and Monogamy33:33 - Tree Swallows and Extra Pair Copulations34:36 - Cooper's hawks and Long-term Pair Bonds38:41 - Harris's Hawks and Cooperative Breeding41:08 - Summary41:46 - Upcoming Birds Walks with Jeff and Southwest Wings 43:03 - OutroPlease check out the podcast's Instagram @lookingatbirdspodcast