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
142: Costa's Hummingbird - Is Their Range Expanding? A Listener Request!
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving into one of the most dazzling birds in North America—the Costa’s Hummingbird. After a listener wrote in with a question, we decided this tiny desert specialist deserved a full episode—and it does not disappoint.
From its iridescent purple crown to its high-speed aerial displays, the Costa’s Hummingbird is a master of survival in some of the harshest environments. We explore its unique behavior, desert habitat, feeding strategies, and what makes it stand out among hummingbirds.
We also revisit the Black-backed Woodpecker, connecting back to our earlier episode with Ryan, who shared his experience birding on the autism spectrum. That conversation opened up an important discussion about how birding can be more inclusive—and how the birding community can create space for everyone to enjoy nature in their own way.
Whether you're a beginner learning your first birds or a seasoned birder looking to go deeper, this episode blends science, storytelling, and real-world perspectives.
As always, it’s married ornithologists and Field Museum curators John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside birding enthusiasts RJ and Amanda Pole, bringing you birds through both expert insight and curious discovery.
Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: