Audubon presentation features naturalist Denny Olson

Flathead Audubon’s next monthly meeting will feature conservation educator Denny Olson at 7 p.m. Monday, March 14, at the Gateway Community Center’s Community Room, or via Zoom.

Email info@flatheadaudubon.org for information on how to join the group.

Birds have often been described in disparaging terms as incapable of anything but instinctive behaviors, and having tiny brains with limited learning capacity. Bird brains are smaller, but mostly because of the weight limit demands of flight. Even though bird brain parts are arranged differently, they operate at many times the speed of humans, have complex language-learning capabilities, show memories that dwarf humans’, and have many more unique qualities.

Olson will give a humorous examination of the avian brain and dozens of mind-boggling and fun examples of bird intelligence.

Olson’s formal training as a biologist and geologist, as well as teaching nature for over 45 years in the north woods and mountain west, has given him expertise in many disciplines. He has trained thousands of naturalists, teachers and students, lecturedon Native American storytelling as a teaching tool, and conducted workshops nationwide. He has performed his humorous alter-egos ( Critterman, Wolfman, The Grizz, Dr. Death, Prof. Avian Guano, to name a few) in 49 states, for over 2 million people,,including conferences, national parks

And universities. Olson has published five books, appeared on the Montana NBC network and is now Flathead Audubon’s conservation educator.