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This week on Earth Eclectic Radio Hour, host Laura Dedelow presents “Birdsong & Songs of Birds,” a musical exploration of our fascination with avian melodies and meanings. The journey begins with Heather Houston’s uplifting “Bird of Light” before jazz legend David Murray’s quartet features Ekep Nkwelle on the aptly titled “Birdly Serenade.” Sensei Lo & Funmi celebrate the “Ibadan malimbe” of Western Africa, while Stephanie Seymour offers a contemplative tribute to the “Blue Jay.” Burke Ingraffia’s six-minute jazz meditation channels the “Woodpecker’s Song,” followed by experimental composer Cosmo Sheldrake’s “Pelicans We” and Kaspar Hauser’s sparrow-inspired “Concepts of Renewal.” After a brief pause, we return with Simon Tall’s sonic portrait of a “Starling Murmuration” from his provocatively titled album “Birds Aren’t Real.” Australian duo Pollenate honors the humble “Pigeon,” before William Shatner and Dan Miller deliver a surprising “Birdsong Symphony” from their album of environmental songs for children. Ham1’s “Tree of Birds” provides a rock perspective, while Cedar Waxwing—a band named for its avian muse—presents the meditative “Tree of Life/Hello Sleep.” The flight concludes with two blackbird-themed pieces: Roslyn Steer’s “I Was of Three Minds, Like a Tree” (inspired by Wallace Stevens’ famous poem) and David Edward Booth’s folk interpretation, which sets to music a poem expressing gratitude for the song of the “Blackbird.” Throughout this ornithological odyssey, listeners are invited to consider birds not merely as subjects of human art but as artists themselves—nature’s original musicians, whose voices have inspired human creativity since the dawn of music.

PSA: Today we bring your attention to The Birdsong Society, a new collective with the intention of uniting artists, environmentalists and innovators to build a culturally diverse community of collaborators supporting and celebrating the birds. The Birdsong Society will explore birdsong, create bird-inspired art and work toward understanding our impaction birds and their environment. Their mission focuses on the belief that birdsong is not only a powerful force for positive change but also has the potential to inspire people to live more sustainably and with a greater appreciation for the birds. You can find out more, support, get involved and more at TheBirdsongProject.com.