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
149: Birding Australia, New Zealand & Beyond + Shannon’s Cochlear Implant Update 🐦🌏
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We're officially back with a brand-new episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together!
After a short break, the full crew returns to catch up on birding adventures, international travel, spring migration, and some exciting personal updates. Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole for a wide-ranging conversation that takes us from Australia and New Zealand all the way back to Chicago.
John shares stories from his recent travels across three countries, including incredible birding experiences in Australia and New Zealand. We discuss some of the remarkable birds he encountered, what makes birding in those regions so unique, and the unforgettable wildlife, habitats, and birding adventures he experienced along the way.
We also get an inspiring update from Shannon on her cochlear implant journey. Shannon shares some of the latest progress in her hearing restoration, how cochlear implant technology continues to change her daily life, and what it's been like rediscovering sounds as both a scientist and lifelong birder. For anyone interested in hearing loss, audiology, cochlear implants, accessibility, or birding with hearing challenges, this is a fascinating and personal conversation.
Back home, RJ and Amanda share highlights from spring migration in Chicago, including some of the exciting birds they encountered during one of the best times of year for birdwatching in North America.
We also answer a listener mailbag question about Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Golden-crowned Kinglets, leading to a discussion about bird identification, sexual dimorphism, crown patches, and why males and females can sometimes look so different. If you've ever wondered how to tell these tiny songbirds apart or why some birds display dramatic differences between the sexes, you'll enjoy this fascinating bird science conversation.
If you love birding, birdwatching, Australia birds, New Zealand birds, kinglets, bird migration, wildlife travel, ornithology, cochlear implants, hearing restoration, bird behavior, and fascinating bird stories from around the world, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
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