In this episode, Bill and Steve dive into a tiny, bustling world - a world that’s hiding on the feathers of the birds we see every day. Joining them is Dr. Alix Matthews, postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Buffalo, and she reveals the strange lives of feather mites — how these barely-visible hitchhikers feed and get around and whether or not they’re helping or hurting their avian hosts.This episode was recorded on September 4, 2025 at Walton Woods in Amherst, NY.Episode Notes and LinksCheck out Dr. Matthews’s website and research here.And watch a presentation on mites she did for Audubon Arkansas in October 2025.Sponsors and Ways to Support UsGumleaf Boots, USA (free shipping for patrons)Thank you to Always Wandering Art (Website and Etsy Shop) for providing the artwork for many of our episodes.Support us on Patreon.Check out the Field Guides merch at our Teespring store. It’s really a great deal: you get to pay us to turn your body into a billboard for the podcast!Photo CreditDr. Alix Matthews - https://matthewsalix.weebly.com/feather-mites.html

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