Birds of a Feather Talk Together

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving into stories about two fascinating (and very different) blackbirds: the Rusty Blackbird and the Brown-headed Cowbird. The Rusty Blackbird is one of the fastest-declining bird species in North America, and we explore what makes this bird so unique, and RJ and Amanda's recent sighting of them. Then we shift to the Brown-headed Cowbird, one of the most controversial birds in birding, known for its unusual nesting behavior and brood parasitism. We also reveal the Final Four results of our Bird Championship tournament. Plus, we officially announce our Bird of the Year, and break down how it all played out. And in a really fun behind-the-scenes moment, we hear about the Listers filmmakers, the Reiser brothers, visiting John and Shannon at the Field Museum. As always, it’s married ornithologists and Field Museum curators John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside RJ and Amanda learning right along with you. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

Learn about the Green Heron, one of the only birds known to use tools to hunt, and how it uses bait to catch fish. This birding and birdwatching podcast explores heron behavior, wetland habitats, and surprising bird intelligence for beginners and experts alike. We also share a really special moment—RJ and Amanda came across a Green Heron nest and got to see a group of baby herons up close, which led to some fun conversation about nesting behavior, habitat, and what makes these birds so unique. If you’re into birding, birdwatching, backyard wildlife, or just love learning about surprising animal behavior, this is a super fun episode you won’t want to miss. As always, it’s married ornithologists and Field Museum curators John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside RJ and Amanda learning right along with you. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

Learn about Long-Eared Owls, one of the most fascinating owl species in birding, and why they gather in massive communal roosts. This birdwatching podcast breaks down owl behavior, migration, and ecology for beginners and experts alike. This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving into one of the most mysterious and underrated owls out there—the Long-eared Owl. Known for its secretive behavior and incredible camouflage, this owl is a true master of staying hidden… until you know where to look. John brings an amazing story from Serbia, where hundreds of Long-eared Owls gather to roost together in one place—an absolutely mind-blowing sight for birders and nature lovers alike. If you’ve ever wondered where to find owls or how they behave in the wild, this episode is packed with fascinating insights. We’re also continuing our March Madness-style Round Robin Bird Tournament, featuring votes and hilarious commentary from Nick Mason’s LSU students, along with our own picks. Who’s advancing? Who’s getting knocked out? You’ll have to listen to find out. As always, the show is hosted by married Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside bird enthusiasts RJ and Amanda Pole, blending expert knowledge with beginner curiosity to make birding fun and accessible for everyone. If you love owls, birdwatching, ornithology, wildlife behavior, and fun science-driven conversations, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 🎧 Listen now and discover why the Long-eared Owl might become your new favorite bird. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

A rare Spectacled Eider showed up far outside its Arctic range—and birders took notice. Learn about eiders, migration patterns, and rare bird sightings in this birding podcast episode. A rare Spectacled Eider sighting in the Netherlands—far outside its normal Arctic range—sparked this week’s episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together. In this episode, we explore all four living species of eiders—from the iconic Common Eider to the stunning King and Spectacled Eiders. Along the way, we break down what makes these Arctic ducks so unique, from their extreme cold-weather adaptations to their fascinating breeding behavior. We’re also kicking off our March Madness-style bird bracket tournament, and we have a special surprise in our bracket challenge! If you love birding, rare bird sightings, ornithology, and fun, science-driven conversations, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. As always it's married couple and ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett and new-ish birders RJ and Amanda Pole. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re joined by Dr. Nick Mason, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and Curator of Birds at the Museum of Natural Science at LSU, for an in-depth and engaging conversation all about the fascinating Horned Lark. Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on Horned Larks, Nick brings incredible insight into this unique grassland bird—from its behavior and evolution to what makes it so special among North American birds. With strong ties to hosts John Bates and Shannon Hackett through LSU, this episode is filled with great stories, shared history, and plenty of laughs along the way. Perfect timing, too—the Horned Lark has just been named the ABA Bird of the Year, making this a must-listen for birders and nature lovers alike. If you’re into birding, ornithology, migration, and bird conservation, this episode dives deep into one of the most overlooked yet remarkable birds in North America. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

Can birdwatching actually improve brain health or slow aging? We explore the science, what research says, and how observing birds may benefit cognition and mental wellness. We came across a recent article suggesting that birdwatching might actually help slow the aging process, and naturally we had to dig into it. As it turns out, tracking down the original scientific paper isn’t exactly easy, which led us into a fun exploration of what the research actually says—and what it might mean. Along the way, the conversation took a really personal turn as Shannon shared her experience with her cochlear implant and what it’s been like to relearn how to hear the world again—from identifying bird calls to rediscovering music like the Talking Heads. It sparked a fascinating discussion about how our brains process sound, observation, and learning—something that birding constantly challenges us to do. So this episode is a mix of science, personal stories, and a lot of curiosity about how birding shapes the way our brains work. It’s thoughtful, a little nerdy, and still very much the kind of conversation our bird-loving crowd will enjoy. Hosted by Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett and birding enthusiasts RJ Pole and Amanda Pole. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving into the subtle but fascinating world of the Eastern Wood-Pewee—one of North America’s most recognizable (yet often overlooked) flycatchers. Known for its iconic “pee-a-wee” call echoing through eastern forests, the Eastern Wood-Pewee is a bird that many people hear long before they ever see. With the pewee fresh on their minds, Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda to explore what makes this bird so unique—from its distinctive song and migration patterns to how scientists identify it among other similar flycatchers. John and Shannon are also heading over to the wildly entertaining Extremely Accurate Bird Songs podcast, where hosts Tommy Siegel and Billy Libby celebrate birds through music and comedy. The duo even wrote an entire song about the Eastern Wood-Pewee, and recently performed their signature bird rock at the San Diego Bird Festival—so make sure to follow their show and listen for the upcoming pewee track! Link to Extremely Accurate Bird Songs Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/extremely-accurate-bird-songs-the-podcast/id1809194651 Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

Learn about the Black-billed Magpie, one of the most intelligent birds in North America, and how its behavior, social structure, and problem-solving abilities make it stand out among corvids. This birding and birdwatching podcast explores magpie behavior, habitat, and intelligence for beginners and experts alike. In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving deep into the remarkable world of the Black-billed Magpie—one of North America’s most intelligent and visually striking birds. Hosts RJ Pole and Amanda Pole share firsthand stories from their time living in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where encounters with Black-billed Magpies were part of everyday life. Known for their bold personalities, problem-solving skills, and dazzling black-and-white plumage with iridescent blue-green feathers, these birds are anything but ordinary. Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett join the conversation to break down what makes Black-billed Magpies so fascinating—from their advanced intelligence and social behavior to how they thrive across western landscapes. Whether you’re a dedicated birder or just curious about wildlife, this episode offers expert insights and engaging storytelling you won’t want to miss. Plus, we answer a fun listener question in our Q&A segment: wombat poop vs. bird poop—yes, we really go there. Have a question you’d like us to answer on a future episode? Send it our way at podcast.birdsofafeather@gmail.com and you might hear it on the show! Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

Acorn Woodpeckers have one of the strangest behaviors in birding—storing thousands of acorns in trees. Learn how this impacts survival, social structure, and evolution. This week, we’re diving into one of North America’s most unforgettable birds: the Acorn Woodpecker. After spotting Acorn Woodpeckers near the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, RJ couldn’t stop thinking about these bold, clown-faced birds—and for good reason. Known for their incredible food-storage behavior, some Acorn Woodpeckers have been documented hoarding hundreds of pounds of acorns, drilling thousands of perfectly spaced holes into trees, utility poles, and even the sides of people’s homes. It’s one of the most extreme examples of avian teamwork and planning in the bird world. Joining the conversation as always are Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside birding enthusiasts RJ Pole and Amanda Pole, bringing both expert insight and curious questions to the table. Together, we explore Acorn Woodpecker behavior, social structure, intelligence, and what makes this species such a standout among North American woodpeckers. Along the way, there’s also a little Midwest sports banter—including the surprising realization that the Indiana Hoosiers might actually have a real football team this year. If you love woodpeckers, bird behavior, ornithology stories, or just enjoy fun, science-driven conversations about nature, this episode is for you. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or brand new to birdwatching, this Acorn Woodpecker deep dive is equal parts educational and entertaining. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

This week, we’re diving into one of the strangest and most unforgettable birds in the world: the Calfbird. Found in the forests of northern South America, this bizarre species is famous for its bald head, striking blue skin, and an otherworldly call that sounds like a chainsaw. Even wilder? The Calfbird produces that sound using a mechanism similar to how a bullfrog vocalizes—making it a true standout in avian biology and animal sound production. Join married ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, along with bird-loving co-hosts RJ Pole and Amanda Pole, as we explore Calfbird behavior, vocalizations, habitat, and why this species continues to fascinate scientists and birders alike. We also answer a listener question about Snowy Owls, adding even more birdwatching insight to the episode. Whether you’re a seasoned birder, a science enthusiast, or just love learning about weird and wonderful wildlife, this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together is packed with memorable bird facts, expert knowledge, and plenty of fun along the way. 🎧 Listen now and discover why the Calfbird might just be one of the most bizarre birds you’ve never heard of—until now. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

Discover the beauty and biology of the Cedar Waxwing, one of North America’s most elegant songbirds, in this week’s episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together. Join hosts and Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett along with RJ Pole and Amanda Pole as they explore Cedar Waxwing identification, behavior, habitat, and the fascinating feather structure that creates the bird’s signature wax-like wing tips. Learn why Cedar Waxwings travel in flocks, what they eat, where to find them across North America, and how their unique plumage evolved. Whether you’re a beginner birder, backyard birdwatcher, or lifelong ornithology enthusiast, this episode offers expert insights, fun facts, and field-ready tips to help you spot and understand the stunning Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum). Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

Welcome back to Birds of a Feather Talk Together—and welcome to our first new episode of 2026! After wrapping up our deep dive into ducks, we’re kicking off the new year by doing something a little different: each of us brings a favorite science story from 2025 to the table, along with a look ahead at what we’re most excited about in 2026. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Pole for a wide-ranging conversation. We talk about juncos, robots in science, and how new research is shaping the way we study birds and understand the natural world. This episode also features a meaningful and candid update from Shannon on her cochlear implant surgery—how hearing restoration technology has impacted her daily life, her work as a scientist, and the way she experiences sound in her every day life. If you’re a cochlear implant recipient, hearing-aid user, audiology professional, or someone interested in accessibility in science, this conversation offers a personal and insightful perspective you won’t want to miss. As always, there’s plenty of bird talk, thoughtful science discussion, and a sense of curiosity about where the next year will take us—both personally and professionally. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

We’re wrapping up our recent duck series with a revisit of one of our favorite Birds of a Feather Talk Together episodes: the Wood Duck. Known for its stunning colors, unique nesting habits, and remarkable conservation comeback, the Wood Duck is one of North America’s most iconic ducks. Join us as we look back at this fan-favorite episode and close out our duck deep dive in style. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Pole to discuss the Wood Duck. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving back into one of our all-time favorite duck episodes—spotlighting the unforgettable harlequin duck, one of the most striking and resilient waterfowl in North America. Known for nesting along fast-flowing mountain streams and spending winters on rugged, wave-battered coastlines, the harlequin duck is a true marvel of adaptation. From its bold plumage to its extreme habitat choices, this species never fails to amaze birders, ornithologists, and nature lovers alike. Joining the conversation are married ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, curators of birds at the Field Museum, along with RJ and Amanda—enthusiastic bird fans who love asking the questions you’re probably thinking. While we’re gearing up for brand-new episodes, we hope you enjoy this look back at one of our most popular and fascinating duck deep dives. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just discovering the joy of birds, this episode is packed with insight, wonder, and a deep appreciation for one of nature’s most adventurous ducks. 🎧 Listen now and rediscover why the harlequin duck stole our hearts—and continues to inspire awe wherever it appears. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

In this episode, John breaks down the history and importance of the Christmas Bird Count, one of the longest-running citizen science projects in the world. Then, we dive deep into the fascinating world of the Mallard Duck—one of North America’s most familiar and recognizable waterfowl. From seasonal sexual dimorphism and those iconic iridescent speculum stripes, to how Mallards differ from other duck species, we explore what makes this bird so unique and adaptable. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart for an engaging conversation packed with bird science, identification tips, and fun ornithological insights. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

We’re kicking off the year with a fun, laughter-filled episode all about our favorite birding movie of last year — LISTERS. If you love birding, birders, and the wonderfully obsessive world of listing, this film is a must-watch. We had an absolute blast talking about it, laughed pretty much the entire time, and highly recommend you watch along with us. Even better? LISTERS is free to watch on YouTube, so it’s easy to queue up and join the fun. In addition to our movie discussion, we’re diving into listener questions — and fair warning, some of them get a little intense. From unforgettable field stories to Shannon’s up-close (and slightly horrifying) experience with a bot fly, this episode has a bit of everything: bird science, real-life birding moments, and plenty of laughs along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned birder, a movie lover, or just here for wild nature stories, this episode is a perfect way to start the year. Hit play, follow along with LISTERS, and join us for another entertaining and informative conversation about birds and the people who love them. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

Welcome back to Birds of a Feather Talk Together! We are officially in full winter swing, and that means it’s the perfect time to shine a spotlight on one of the most iconic cold-weather visitors out there — the Snowy Owl. If you’ve been anywhere near bird-Twitter or the local news, you may have heard about the pair of Snowy Owls in Chicago. These birds are stunning, unmistakable, and one of those species that gets everyone — even the non-birders — buzzing with excitement. We also answer a listener question about a Loon that was recently seen in the Chicago area. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Pole! Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

Learn how to identify the White-throated Sparrow by its song, behavior, and movement patterns, and discover why this common bird has two distinct morphs with different personalities. This birding and birdwatching podcast explores sparrow identification, bird behavior, and fascinating new research for beginners and experts alike. In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we revisit one of our favorite deep dives on the White-throated Sparrow, a fascinating and familiar North American bird. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Pole as we explore what makes this species so unique—and why sparrows are often tricky to identify. We discuss sparrow identification, focusing on how behavior, song, and movement patterns can be just as important as plumage when telling species apart. The conversation also dives into compelling research showing how White-throated Sparrows have been shrinking in body size over the past 50 years, and how long-term museum specimen collections at the Field Museum have made this discovery possible. You’ll also learn about the White-throated Sparrow’s two distinct head color morphs (tan-striped and white-striped), how these morphs influence mating preferences and behavior, and why this species is such a classic example in behavioral ecology. Plus, we wrap things up by answering a mailbag question from a listener in the U.K.—all about vultures, their behavior, and why they play such an important ecological role. Grab your binoculars and join us for this science-packed, bird-loving conversation! 🐦 Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

This week we’ve got a seriously fun one for you. We are joined by the wonderful Ellen Weatherford from the podcast Just the Zoo of Us. John and Shannon are guests on her show later this month, so we asked Ellen to come chat with us about the bird of her choice. She came back with flamingos—and boy, were we thrilled. It turned into such a bright, lively, surprisingly deep conversation about one of the most iconic birds out there. From their wild social lives to their unbelievable color and biology, this episode is just pure joy from start to finish. Ellen joins John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Pole. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

This week we’re diving into a fascinating forest bird—the Varied Thrush. If you’ve ever wandered through the deep, mossy conifer forests of the Pacific Northwest, you might’ve heard their haunting, single-note whistles echoing through the understory. These birds are usually right at home along the West Coast, from Alaska down through northern California… which is why things got very interesting when a Varied Thrush recently showed up all the way in New York. So today, we’re talking a lot about vagrancy—why some birds wander far outside their typical range. Along the way, we also drift into some fascinating side conversations about sampling methods —how researchers collect data from poop, what those approaches can tell us. And stick around, because we’ve got a fun announcement about an upcoming episode that you won’t want to miss. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky