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
139: Green Heron Explained: The Bird That Uses Tools to Catch Fish 🐦
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Learn about the Green Heron, one of the only birds known to use tools to hunt, and how it uses bait to catch fish. This birding and birdwatching podcast explores heron behavior, wetland habitats, and surprising bird intelligence for beginners and experts alike.
We also share a really special moment—RJ and Amanda came across a Green Heron nest and got to see a group of baby herons up close, which led to some fun conversation about nesting behavior, habitat, and what makes these birds so unique.
If you’re into birding, birdwatching, backyard wildlife, or just love learning about surprising animal behavior, this is a super fun episode you won’t want to miss.
As always, it’s married ornithologists and Field Museum curators John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside RJ and Amanda learning right along with you.
Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: