The Common Descent Podcast

Common Descent

Join David and Will as they explore the paleontologists’ perspective on various topics in life and earth history. Each episode features a main discussion on a topic requested by the listeners, presented as a lighthearted and educational conversation about fossils, evolution, deep time, and more. Before the main discussion, each episode also includes a news segment, covering recent research related to paleontology and evolution. Each episode ends with the answer to a question submitted by subscribers on Patreon. New episodes with new topics every fortnight!

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The Common Descent Podcast

Episodes (365)

Mar 29th Episode 240 - Terror Birds
Mar 15th Episode 239 - Nocturnality
Mar 7th Pok-É – Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza

The Common Descent Podcast

Mar 29, 2026
3½ hours
223 MB

For most of the Cenozoic Era, South America was home to an incredible group of predatory birds called phorusrhacids, which included some of the largest carnivorous birds of all time. With their giant axe-like beaks and powerful clawed legs, these giants have gained the nickname “terror birds.” This episode, we explore what makes these birds unique, how they varied across their diversity, and what exactly they were doing with all those terrifying tools. In the news: a bitten plesiosaur, wildflower adaptation, a new croc, and dinosaur parents. Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:06:25 Main...

The Common Descent Podcast

Episode 240 - Terror Birds

Common Descent

00:00 -02:42:26