Birds of a Feather Talk Together
Join John Bates and Shannon Hackett, two seasoned bird experts, as they soar through the fascinating world of birds in this must-listen podcast for bird lovers of all levels! Whether you're an experienced birder or just starting to explore the wonders of the avian world, Birds of a Feather Talk Together has something for everyone.
With exclusive access to one of the largest bird collections in the United States, John and Shannon are joined by amateur birders RJ Pole and Amanda Marquart for in-depth discussions on exotic, rare, extinct, and common birds from around the globe. From the tiniest sparrows to the mighty eagles, no feathered friend is left out.
Each episode brings exciting stories, expert insights, and birding tips—perfect for anyone who has ever been fascinated by the beauty, behavior, and mysteries of birds. Whether you're a lifelong bird watcher or a beginner looking to learn more, this podcast will inspire you to discover new species, dive into bird conservation, and learn from the pros!
Why Listen?
- Discover rare and exotic bird species you never knew existed.
- Get insider tips from top bird experts on identifying and spotting birds.
- Learn about bird conservation efforts and the latest in avian research.
- A perfect podcast for beginners and experienced birders alike.
Hit subscribe now and start your journey into the incredible world of birds—one chirp at a time!
Episodes
90 episodes
86: Hoatzin Revisited with Jacob Drucker - You've Seen It On 'The Americas' on NBC
In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we dive deep into the world of the Hoatzin, one of the most unique and mysterious birds on the planet! With claws on their wings as chicks, these fascinating creatures migh...
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Episode 86
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24:01
85: Purple Martins Revisited - Migrating to the U.S. to live in man-made structures
In this exciting episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, hosts John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart dive into the fascinating world of the Purple Martin. Learn how these remarkable birds depend on man-made str...
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Episode 85
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25:01
84: Mourning Dove
If you've listened to our other episodes, you know Shannon's stance on Mourning Doves. See if we can convince her otherwise in our episode on Mourning Doves. Hosted by John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart. ...
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Episode 84
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27:48
83: Harlequin Duck - Fascinating Waterfowl with Stunning Plumage
Harlequin Ducks are a captivating species of small, compact waterfowl known for their distinctive appearance. These beautiful ducks feature a large, rounded head, a small bill, and a steep forehead. Their striking plumage showcases a stunning s...
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Episode 83
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32:38
82: Kirk Wallace Johnson Interview - The Feather Thief - The Shocking True-Crime Tale of a Museum Heist & Rare Bird Feathers
In today’s thrilling episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of true crime with Kirk Wallace Johnson, bestselling author of The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century. Join us a...
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Episode 82
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1:22:36
81: The Feather Thief Part 6: Obsession, A Possible Accomplice, Final Thoughts
This week we close out with our final thoughts on the Feather Thief, as well as talk about the importance of museums and their collections. It’s our last episode before we talk to the author Kirk Wallace Johnson, so get ready for next week.&nbs...
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Episode 81
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35:27
80: The Feather Thief Part 5: The Crime, The Importance of Museum Collections, also a discussion on Canada and also precious metals
Welcome back to Part 5 of our exploration of the book The Feather Thief. We discuss the horrific act that’s still causing ripples in the world of museums. We’ll also take a closer look at the role museum collections play in science—a s...
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Episode 80
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50:05
79: The Feather Thief Part 4: The Argus Pheasant and Jason Weckstein Joins Us Again!!
Our adventure through the pages of the book The Feather Thief continues! We’re thrilled to have Jason Weckstein join us again. Jason is an enthusiastic fly fisherman and fly-tier, and also an amazing ornithologist. He joined us last we...
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Episode 79
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37:07
78: The Feather Thief Part 3: Fly-tying with guest Jason Weckstein
We are doing a mini-series on The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson. This week we have a very special guest, Jason Weckstein, join us for a conversation about the intricacies of fly-tying. Jason is not only an avid fly fisherman and fly tie...
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Episode 78
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45:25
77: The Feather Thief Part 2: Walter Rothschild, Feather Fever, and the start of the Audubon Society
Part two of our Feather Thief mini-series! This week we cover chapters on Walter Rothschild’s infamous museum, the fashion madness known as "feather fever," which drove people to decimate millions of rare and exotic birds. Then w...
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Episode 77
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33:36
76: The Feather Thief Part 1 - Alfred Russel Wallace, also the horrific crime that occurred at the museum
In this special mini-series, we’re diving into The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson, a gripping blend of true crime and cultural exploration. This fascinating story explores the themes of obsession, beauty, and the extreme lengths...
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Episode 76
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1:04:09
75: The Feather Thief Prologue - Quick Listen Prior to Starting The Mini-Series :)
We’re stepping away from our usual routine to dive into something a bit different—The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson. This is a story of a museum heist, someone who stole rare bird skins from a museum in order to sell them on th...
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Episode 75
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20:02
74: John Returns From The Falklands, Gentoo Penguins, What Do Birds Do In The Rain?
John is back from his trip to the Falkland Islands to study Gentoo Penguins, so we ask him all about his trip. We also answer a mailbag question on what birds do in the rain when it storms. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole...
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Episode 74
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56:46
73: Willard's Sooty Boubou Revisited - A New Species Described
We are kicking it off the new year by revisiting an older episode that we did on the Willard’s Sooty Boubou. This was a bird that John and the team at the Field Museum were responsible for describing as a new species. We are doing a mini-series...
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Episode 73
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41:23
72: The Archaeopteryx at the Field Museum + An Exciting Announcement
We're still down for the holidays but are sharing a segment that we did on the Archaeopteryx at The Field Museum. Birds are the only group of dinosaurs that survived when an asteroid hit the Earth 66 million years ago. A fossil called Archa...
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Episode 72
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14:06
71: Christmas Bird Count, The Feather Thief Question, An Exciting Announcement!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! This week we revisit a segment on the Christmas Bird Count. We also answer a question on the book the Feather Thief. We also finish it off with an exciting announcment for 2025 (spoiler, we are going to do a ...
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Episode 71
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10:05
70: Holiday Wrap-Up - What We've Learned
We talk about what the four of us have learned so far on our podcast journey. It's a fun reflection from RJ, Shannon, John, and Amanda. Enjoy!Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart for Birds of a Feather Talk Tog...
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Episode 70
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22:09
69: John's Trip to the Falkland Islands, also we talk about Bird Flu
This week's episode is a little different. John is going on a trip to the Falkland Islands to study Gentoo Penguins, so we ask him all about his upcoming trip. We end up discussing avian influenza a bit as well, as Bird Flu is a major concern f...
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Episode 69
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34:45
68: The Rusty Blackbird - Dramatic population decline, also a question on 'The Big Year'
This week we discuss the Rusty Blackbird. Rusty Blackbird is one of North America’s most rapidly declining species. The population has dropped between 85-99 percent over the past forty years, and Amanda and RJ saw one a few weeks ago so we deci...
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Episode 68
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26:59
67: Wild Turkey Revisited - with Jacob Drucker
We revisit an old episode on the Wild Turkey this week. These birds are a major conservation success story. We also talk about John seeing a turkey in the Democratic Republic of Congo, how turkeys got their name, and learn all about their magni...
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Episode 67
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23:27
66: White-throated Sparrow
Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart as we discuss the White-throated sparrow. We talk about sparrows in general, and how to differentiate them based on behavior and not just their appearance. We also talk about how th...
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Episode 66
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45:34
65: Wrentits with Kevin Burns
This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re discussing the fascinating wrentit with expert Kevin Burns! Known for its distinctive call featured in countless movies and TV shows, the wrentit is a secretive bird found primarily ...
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Episode 65
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47:11
64: Inti Tanager with Kevin Burns - Also known as the 'Kill Bill' Tanager
Kevin Burns joins us again to discuss the Inti Tanager. Kevin is an ornithologist and professor of biology at San Diego State University and goes way back with Shannon and John. Kevin tells us all about the story of this bird, from the sighting...
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Episode 64
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57:19
63: Kagu - Ghosts of the Forest
This super unique bird from New Caledonia has been isolated on an island in the Pacific for so long, but somehow its closest relative is the Sunbittern in Central and South America. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart...
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Episode 63
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40:05
62: Unlock the Secrets of Mindful Birdwatching with Joan E. Strassmann | New Book 'The Slow Birding Journal'
In this captivating episode, we sit down with evolutionary biologist and acclaimed author Joan E. Strassmann to dive deep into the world of slow birding. Joan's latest release, The Slow Birding Journal, dropped on October 22nd and offe...
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Episode 62
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27:51