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
147: Peter Kaestner: The First Birder to See 10,000 Bird Species in the Wild 🐦
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This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're revisiting one of our favorite interviews with legendary birder Peter Kaestner—the first person in history to see more than 10,000 bird species in the wild.
While John continues his birding adventures in New Zealand and Australia, we thought it was the perfect time to revisit this incredible conversation. Peter recently came up on the podcast when Shannon recognized one of his recordings of a Rwenzori Turaco, reminding us just how remarkable his birding journey has been.
Peter is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished birders in the world. Over decades of global travel, he has observed more bird species than anyone else in history, visiting remote corners of the planet in pursuit of rare birds, endemic species, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to talk with Peter about world birding, bird identification, rare birds, international birding travel, conservation, and the adventures that come with a lifetime spent exploring the natural world.
From incredible sightings and close calls to lessons learned from thousands of birding expeditions, Peter shares fascinating stories, hard-earned wisdom, and a passion for birds that is impossible not to appreciate.
If you love birding, birdwatching, rare birds, wildlife travel, ornithology, bird conservation, bird identification, and extraordinary birding stories from around the world, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
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