Ep 3. Avian Vomitologist

The show Dirty Jobs is all about the dirtiest jobs one can imagine – the ones that no one else wants to do. Season 2 Episode 3 is titled Avian Vomitologist, and it is an episode that will leave viewers intrigued and, possibly, a little bit queasy.

In this episode, the host, Mike Rowe, travels to California to meet with a unique specialist, a scientist who studies bird vomit. The scientist, Dr. Alan F. Smith, is an expert in the field of ornithology, a branch of biology that focuses on birds. More specifically, he is an expert in the study of bird vomit, known as "pellets," which are the indigestible parts of a bird's meal.

Dr. Smith explains to Rowe that studying bird vomit can be extremely beneficial for understanding bird diets and behavior. The pellets provide important information about the bird's food sources, which can help researchers better understand the ecology of bird populations. By studying these pellets, scientists can determine the types and amounts of prey that birds are consuming, as well as their movements and migration patterns.

Rowe follows Dr. Smith as he collects bird pellets from various locations in the California wilderness. This dirty job involves hiking through rugged terrain and scaling steep cliffs to reach the birds' roosting sites. Once they reach a roost, Dr. Smith uses a specialized tool to extract the pellets from beneath the birds' nesting areas.

Once the pellets are collected, Dr. Smith takes them back to his laboratory, where he dissects them and catalogs their contents. This task involves sifting through feathers, bones, fur, and other indigestible materials that the birds have consumed. It's a messy, smelly job that requires a strong stomach and a steady hand.

As Dr. Smith examines the pellets, he explains how he identifies the food sources and species of the birds he is studying. He catalogs each item he finds in the pellet, taking note of the size, shape, and texture of each piece. By comparing these findings with known data about bird diets, he can determine the species of the birds that produced the pellets and what they have been eating.

The job of an avian vomitologist is not for everyone, but for those interested in ornithology, it is an essential part of understanding bird behavior and ecology. This episode of Dirty Jobs offers a fascinating look at this dirty job, shedding light on a unique branch of science that is often overlooked.

Overall, Dirty Jobs season 2 episode 3 is a must-watch for anyone who is interested in science, biology, or the quirks of nature. It offers a unique insight into a field of study that few people are aware of, and it teaches viewers the importance of understanding the world around us – even if it means getting our hands dirty along the way.