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
143: Pink-headed Fruit Dove: One of the Most Beautiful Doves in the World 🐦
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This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re talking about one of the most beautiful doves in the world: the Pink-headed Fruit Dove.
Native to the mountain forests of Indonesia, the Pink-headed Fruit Dove is known for its stunning pink head and chest, vibrant green body, and striking necklace-like markings. Because these birds live in remote high-elevation habitats, they haven’t been studied as extensively as many other bird species, which makes them even more fascinating to explore.
Shannon picked this week’s bird—unsurprisingly, because she loves the color pink—and the conversation quickly turned into an appreciation of just how incredible and unusual this species really is. We discuss the dove’s appearance, habitat, behavior, and why tropical birds like this capture so much imagination among birders and ornithologists alike.
We also answer a listener mailbag question from Kelsey about the Black-and-white Warbler, including bird behavior and identification tips related to this unique species.
As always, it’s married ornithologists and curators of birds at the Field Museum John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside RJ and Amanda Pole learning right along with you.
If you love birding, birdwatching, tropical birds, rare birds, bird behavior, ornithology, wildlife, and fascinating bird facts, this is a really fun episode you won’t want to miss.
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