Birds of a Feather Talk Together

John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, Amanda Marquart
  • 4.9 (46)
  • Nature
  • Updated Weekly

Birds of a Feather Talk Together is a birding and birdwatching podcast for beginners and experts alike, blending expert ornithology with curiosity, storytelling, humor, and real-time discovery. Hosted from Chicago by married Field Museum ornithologists and curators John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside birding enthusiasts RJ and Amanda Pole, the podcast explores the fascinating world of birds through conversations that are educational, approachable, and fun. Each episode dives into bird behavior, bird migration, bird identification, bird songs and calls, backyard birds, conservation, bird intelligence, evolution, ecology, and the science behind how birds live and adapt. From hummingbirds, owls, woodpeckers, warblers, and herons to rare bird sightings, viral bird stories, and surprising animal behavior, every episode uncovers something remarkable about the natural world. What makes the show unique is the mix of professional scientists and newer birders learning in real time together. Whether you’re an experienced birder, a casual birdwatcher, or completely new to birding, the conversations are designed to make ornithology accessible and engaging without losing the depth of the science. The podcast regularly features stories and research connected to the Field Museum, listener-submitted bird sightings, birding adventures, wildlife conservation topics, and current events from across the birding world. If you love birds, birdwatching, nature podcasts, wildlife, science storytelling, animal behavior, or simply want to better understand the birds around you, Birds of a Feather Talk Together will help you see the natural world in a whole new way.

  1. 148: Club-Winged Manakins: The Bird of the Year That Makes Music With Its Wings 🐦🎵

    1d ago

    148: Club-Winged Manakins: The Bird of the Year That Makes Music With Its Wings 🐦🎵

    This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're revisiting one of the most extraordinary birds we've ever covered—and the official winner of our 2026 Bird of the Year tournament: the Club-winged Manakin. While we're getting ready to return with brand-new episodes next week, we couldn't resist taking another look at the bird that captured the hearts of our listeners and earned the title of 2026 Bird of the Year. Native to the cloud forests of South America, the Club-winged Manakin is famous for producing one of the strangest sounds in the bird world—not with its voice, but with its wings. Through an incredible evolutionary adaptation, male Club-winged Manakins create a high-pitched mechanical sound during courtship displays by rubbing specialized wing feathers together at astonishing speeds. The result sounds more like an insect, a machine, or a science-fiction sound effect than a bird, making it one of the most unique bird behaviors ever discovered. In this episode, Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to discuss Club-winged Manakin behavior, bird evolution, courtship displays, bird sounds, animal communication, and the remarkable adaptations that helped this species earn the title of Bird of the Year. The journey to the championship was a fun one. Students from LSU joined in voting throughout our Bird of the Year tournament, with results revealed across multiple episodes. In the end, the Club-winged Manakin emerged as the champion, defeating a field of incredible birds to claim the crown. If you love birding, birdwatching, weird birds, bird behavior, bird evolution, tropical birds, ornithology, wildlife science, and fascinating bird facts, this is an episode you won't want to miss! Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky

    48 min
  2. 147: Peter Kaestner: The First Birder to See 10,000 Bird Species in the Wild 🐦

    Jun 8

    147: Peter Kaestner: The First Birder to See 10,000 Bird Species in the Wild 🐦

    This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're revisiting one of our favorite interviews with legendary birder Peter Kaestner—the first person in history to see more than 10,000 bird species in the wild. While John continues his birding adventures in New Zealand and Australia, we thought it was the perfect time to revisit this incredible conversation. Peter recently came up on the podcast when Shannon recognized one of his recordings of a Rwenzori Turaco, reminding us just how remarkable his birding journey has been. Peter is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished birders in the world. Over decades of global travel, he has observed more bird species than anyone else in history, visiting remote corners of the planet in pursuit of rare birds, endemic species, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to talk with Peter about world birding, bird identification, rare birds, international birding travel, conservation, and the adventures that come with a lifetime spent exploring the natural world. From incredible sightings and close calls to lessons learned from thousands of birding expeditions, Peter shares fascinating stories, hard-earned wisdom, and a passion for birds that is impossible not to appreciate. If you love birding, birdwatching, rare birds, wildlife travel, ornithology, bird conservation, bird identification, and extraordinary birding stories from around the world, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky

    1h 34m
  3. 146: Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers: The Tiny Bird That's Always on the Move 🐦

    Jun 1

    146: Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers: The Tiny Bird That's Always on the Move 🐦

    This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes about the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher—one of North America's smallest, busiest, and most beloved songbirds. While John is off birding in New Zealand and Australia, we're taking a look back at this conversation about a bird that perfectly captures what makes birdwatching so rewarding. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers may be tiny, but their energetic behavior, buzzy calls, and constant movement make them unforgettable once you start noticing them. When we originally recorded this episode, we talked about how special it would be to spend a day surrounded by Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and how important it is not to take those moments in nature for granted. Recently, that exact experience happened again, serving as a reminder of one of the best lessons birding can teach us: slow down, pay attention, and appreciate the birds around you. In this episode, Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to discuss Blue-gray Gnatcatcher behavior, bird identification, migration, habitat, nesting, bird songs and calls, and why these tiny birds are such favorites among birders. We also answer a listener mailbag question about vultures and condors, exploring the fascinating world of scavenging birds and their important role in ecosystems. If you love birding, birdwatching, songbirds, backyard birds, bird behavior, bird identification, vultures, condors, ornithology, wildlife science, and fascinating bird facts, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky

    39 min
  4. 145: Rwenzori Turacos: One of Africa’s Most Beautiful and Colorful Birds 🐦

    May 25

    145: Rwenzori Turacos: One of Africa’s Most Beautiful and Colorful Birds 🐦

    This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we explore one of the most spectacular birds in Africa: the Rwenzori Turaco. Chosen by Shannon, this stunning bird is famous for its brilliant colors, striking crest, and almost unbelievable appearance. If you’ve never seen a Rwenzori Turaco before, you may want to look up a photo right now—its vibrant plumage makes it one of the most beautiful birds in the world and a favorite among birders, wildlife photographers, and ornithologists alike. John also shares stories from his birding adventures in Africa, including what it was like to see Rwenzori Turacos in the wild. The conversation expands into African birding, tropical forests, wildlife encounters, and the incredible diversity of birds found across the continent. Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to discuss Rwenzori Turaco behavior, habitat, bird identification, evolution, and what makes turacos such unique birds within the avian world. Whether you're fascinated by exotic birds, dreaming of birding in Africa, or simply love learning about beautiful and unusual species, this episode is packed with bird facts, ornithology, wildlife science, and unforgettable birding stories. If you love birding, birdwatching, African birds, tropical birds, bird behavior, ornithology, wildlife travel, conservation, and fascinating bird facts, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky

    39 min
  5. 144: Black-and-White Warblers: The Tiny Tree-Climbing Warbler that Birders Love 🐦

    May 18

    144: Black-and-White Warblers: The Tiny Tree-Climbing Warbler that Birders Love 🐦

    This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we explore the fascinating world of the Black-and-white Warbler—one of the most unique and behaviorally unusual warblers in North America. Unlike most warblers that hop through leaves and branches, Black-and-white Warblers climb tree trunks and branches much like nuthatches or woodpeckers, making them instantly recognizable to birders once you know what to look for. Their bold black-and-white striped plumage, energetic movements, and distinctive behavior make them one of the most charming songbirds in the forest. This episode was inspired by listener Kelsey, who asked us to do a full deep dive into these amazing birds—and we had a blast discussing them. Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to discuss Black-and-white Warbler behavior, migration, bird identification, foraging strategies, habitat, bird songs and calls, and why this species stands out among North American warblers. If you love birding, birdwatching, warblers, songbirds, bird behavior, ornithology, migration, wildlife science, and fascinating bird facts, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky

    26 min
  6. 143: Pink-headed Fruit Dove: One of the Most Beautiful Doves in the World 🐦

    May 11

    143: Pink-headed Fruit Dove: One of the Most Beautiful Doves in the World 🐦

    This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re talking about one of the most beautiful doves in the world: the Pink-headed Fruit Dove. Native to the mountain forests of Indonesia, the Pink-headed Fruit Dove is known for its stunning pink head and chest, vibrant green body, and striking necklace-like markings. Because these birds live in remote high-elevation habitats, they haven’t been studied as extensively as many other bird species, which makes them even more fascinating to explore. Shannon picked this week’s bird—unsurprisingly, because she loves the color pink—and the conversation quickly turned into an appreciation of just how incredible and unusual this species really is. We discuss the dove’s appearance, habitat, behavior, and why tropical birds like this capture so much imagination among birders and ornithologists alike. We also answer a listener mailbag question from Kelsey about the Black-and-white Warbler, including bird behavior and identification tips related to this unique species. As always, it’s married ornithologists and curators of birds at the Field Museum John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside RJ and Amanda Pole learning right along with you. If you love birding, birdwatching, tropical birds, rare birds, bird behavior, ornithology, wildlife, and fascinating bird facts, this is a really fun episode you won’t want to miss. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky

    24 min
  7. 142: Costa's Hummingbird - Is Their Range Expanding? A Listener Request!

    May 4

    142: Costa's Hummingbird - Is Their Range Expanding? A Listener Request!

    This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving into one of the most dazzling birds in North America—the Costa’s Hummingbird. After a listener wrote in with a question, we decided this tiny desert specialist deserved a full episode—and it does not disappoint. From its iridescent purple crown to its high-speed aerial displays, the Costa’s Hummingbird is a master of survival in some of the harshest environments. We explore its unique behavior, desert habitat, feeding strategies, and what makes it stand out among hummingbirds. We also revisit the Black-backed Woodpecker, connecting back to our earlier episode with Ryan, who shared his experience birding on the autism spectrum. That conversation opened up an important discussion about how birding can be more inclusive—and how the birding community can create space for everyone to enjoy nature in their own way. Whether you're a beginner learning your first birds or a seasoned birder looking to go deeper, this episode blends science, storytelling, and real-world perspectives. As always, it’s married ornithologists and Field Museum curators John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside birding enthusiasts RJ and Amanda Pole, bringing you birds through both expert insight and curious discovery. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky

    31 min
  8. 141: Black-backed Woodpeckers with Ryan Shostack And Making Birding More Inclusive

    Apr 27

    141: Black-backed Woodpeckers with Ryan Shostack And Making Birding More Inclusive

    This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re joined by birder Ryan Shostack to talk about the incredible Black-backed Woodpecker—and how birding can be more inclusive for everyone. The Black-backed Woodpecker is a fascinating species known for its unique relationship with burned forests, and Ryan shares his firsthand experiences seeing this bird multiple times in the wild. We explore its behavior, habitat, and why it’s such a special find for birders. Ryan also opens up about his experience birding on the autism spectrum (including Asperger’s), and what birding means to him. It leads to a thoughtful and honest conversation about accessibility, inclusion, and how the birding community can better support people of all backgrounds and abilities. With Shannon’s own experience with hearing loss, this is a topic we’ve been wanting to explore for a while—and this conversation really delivers. We also go on a few fun tangents (including wolves), making this a wide-ranging and meaningful episode. As always, it’s Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside RJ and Amanda learning right along with you. If you’re interested in birding, bird behavior, inclusion in nature, or just love great conversations about the outdoors—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky

    42 min
See All (152)

4.9
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

Birds of a Feather Talk Together is a birding and birdwatching podcast for beginners and experts alike, blending expert ornithology with curiosity, storytelling, humor, and real-time discovery. Hosted from Chicago by married Field Museum ornithologists and curators John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside birding enthusiasts RJ and Amanda Pole, the podcast explores the fascinating world of birds through conversations that are educational, approachable, and fun. Each episode dives into bird behavior, bird migration, bird identification, bird songs and calls, backyard birds, conservation, bird intelligence, evolution, ecology, and the science behind how birds live and adapt. From hummingbirds, owls, woodpeckers, warblers, and herons to rare bird sightings, viral bird stories, and surprising animal behavior, every episode uncovers something remarkable about the natural world. What makes the show unique is the mix of professional scientists and newer birders learning in real time together. Whether you’re an experienced birder, a casual birdwatcher, or completely new to birding, the conversations are designed to make ornithology accessible and engaging without losing the depth of the science. The podcast regularly features stories and research connected to the Field Museum, listener-submitted bird sightings, birding adventures, wildlife conservation topics, and current events from across the birding world. If you love birds, birdwatching, nature podcasts, wildlife, science storytelling, animal behavior, or simply want to better understand the birds around you, Birds of a Feather Talk Together will help you see the natural world in a whole new way.

Information

  • Creator
    John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, Amanda Marquart
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    152
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Birds of a Feather Talk Together
  • Show Website
    Birds of a Feather Talk Together

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