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
125: LISTERS! - Movie Review! Plus a WILD Botfly story
We’re kicking off the year with a fun, laughter-filled episode all about our favorite birding movie of last year — LISTERS. If you love birding, birders, and the wonderfully obsessive world of listing, this film is a must-watch. We had an absolute blast talking about it, laughed pretty much the entire time, and highly recommend you watch along with us. Even better? LISTERS is free to watch on YouTube, so it’s easy to queue up and join the fun.
In addition to our movie discussion, we’re diving into listener questions — and fair warning, some of them get a little intense. From unforgettable field stories to Shannon’s up-close (and slightly horrifying) experience with a bot fly, this episode has a bit of everything: bird science, real-life birding moments, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Whether you’re a seasoned birder, a movie lover, or just here for wild nature stories, this episode is a perfect way to start the year. Hit play, follow along with LISTERS, and join us for another entertaining and informative conversation about birds and the people who love them.
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