Birds of a Feather Talk Together
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.
Birds of a Feather Talk Together
Latest Episodes
168: Chicago's Recent Deadly Bird Migration: Over 1,000 Birds Killed or Injured in Window Collisions
In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're discussing a tragic weekend in Chicago when more than 1,000 birds were reported dead or injured after colliding with buildings during fall migration. This mass bird collision e...
167: Greater Honeyguide: More Brood Parasitism AND Helping Humans Find Honey!
Meet the Greater Honeyguide (Indicator indicator), one of Africa's most remarkable birds, known for its extraordinary relationship with humans and its fascinating reproductive strategy called brood parasitism.In this episod...
166: Great Spotted Cuckoo: Brood Parasitism, Evolution & the Real Science Behind the Horror Movie Cuckoo
What happens when a bird lays its eggs in another bird’s nest and tricks unsuspecting parents into raising its young? Welcome to the fascinating—and sometimes downright creepy—world of the Great Spotted Cuckoo!In this episode of <...
165: California Condor: Saving One of the World's Rarest Birds from Extinction | Christian Flores
The California Condor is one of the rarest birds in North America, and its remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction is one of the greatest wildlife conservation stories ever told.In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Toge...
164: Eurasian Oystercatcher: Europe’s Striking Shorebird | Bird Behavior, Biology & Birding
This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re exploring the Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)—a striking black-and-white shorebird with a bright orange-red bill found across Europe, including the coasts of Northern Ir...
