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
130: Cedar Waxwing
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Discover the beauty and biology of the Cedar Waxwing, one of North America’s most elegant songbirds, in this week’s episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together. Join hosts and Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett along with RJ Pole and Amanda Pole as they explore Cedar Waxwing identification, behavior, habitat, and the fascinating feather structure that creates the bird’s signature wax-like wing tips. Learn why Cedar Waxwings travel in flocks, what they eat, where to find them across North America, and how their unique plumage evolved.
Whether you’re a beginner birder, backyard birdwatcher, or lifelong ornithology enthusiast, this episode offers expert insights, fun facts, and field-ready tips to help you spot and understand the stunning Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum).
Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: