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 youâre 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
133: Are Magpies Smarter Than You Think? đŚ Black-Billed Magpie Explained
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Learn about the Black-billed Magpie, one of the most intelligent birds in North America, and how its behavior, social structure, and problem-solving abilities make it stand out among corvids. This birding and birdwatching podcast explores magpie behavior, habitat, and intelligence for beginners and experts alike. In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, weâre diving deep into the remarkable world of the Black-billed Magpieâone of North Americaâs most intelligent and visually striking birds.
Hosts RJ Pole and Amanda Pole share firsthand stories from their time living in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where encounters with Black-billed Magpies were part of everyday life. Known for their bold personalities, problem-solving skills, and dazzling black-and-white plumage with iridescent blue-green feathers, these birds are anything but ordinary.
Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett join the conversation to break down what makes Black-billed Magpies so fascinatingâfrom their advanced intelligence and social behavior to how they thrive across western landscapes. Whether youâre a dedicated birder or just curious about wildlife, this episode offers expert insights and engaging storytelling you wonât want to miss.
Plus, we answer a fun listener question in our Q&A segment: wombat poop vs. bird poopâyes, we really go there.
Have a question youâd like us to answer on a future episode? Send it our way at podcast.birdsofafeather@gmail.com
and you might hear it on the show!
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