Birds of a Feather Talk Together
Birds of a Feather Talk Together is a birding and nature podcast for bird lovers of all experience levels. Hosted by professional ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, curators of birds at the Field Museum in Chicago, alongside birding enthusiasts RJ Pole and Amanda Pole, the show blends expert insight with fresh curiosity.
John and Shannon bring decades of ornithology experience and access to one of the largest bird collections in the United States, while RJ and Amanda represent newer birders—asking relatable questions that open the conversation to beginners without losing depth for seasoned bird watchers.
Each episode explores rare, exotic, extinct, and everyday birds, covering identification, behavior, conservation, and current avian research. From backyard birds to birds of the world, Birds of a Feather Talk Together offers expert knowledge in an approachable, conversational format.
Subscribe and discover the fascinating world of birds—one chirp at a time. 🐦
Birds of a Feather Talk Together
120: Why Mourning Doves Are EVERYWHERE (And What Makes Them So Unique) | Birding Explained
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Learn about Mourning Doves, one of the most common birds in North America, and why their behavior, calls, and breeding habits make them so unique. This birding and birdwatching podcast breaks down dove behavior, ecology, and identification for beginners and experts alike.
We’re taking the week off for the holiday, but we didn’t want to leave you bird-less—so we’re re-sharing one of our favorite episodes, all about the mourning dove, one of North America’s most familiar and fascinating backyard birds.
Fun fact: mourning doves can store an unbelievable amount of food in a specialized throat pouch before flying off somewhere cozy to digest it… which, honestly, sounds exactly like our Thanksgiving plans.
If you’ve listened before, you know Shannon has very strong feelings about mourning doves—so revisiting this one made for an especially hilarious and insightful re-run.
Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, Amanda Pole, and RJ Pole as we explore mourning dove behavior, feeding strategies, their iconic call, and why this gentle species inspires so many mixed emotions.
We’ll be back next week with brand-new bird episodes, including deep dives on the Varied Thrush and the flamingo.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Grab your binoculars—and let’s get into it.
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