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PODCAST

Birds of a Feather Talk Together

John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, Amanda Marquart

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

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All Episodes

24:49

105: Mailbag Episode! Birds On The Side Of The Road...

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/08/04

In this fun and fan-fueled episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're diving into the mailbag to answer your burning bird questions! It's our usual hosts, married ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, and married birding enthusiasts RJ and Amanda Pole. First up: What’s the deal with all those birds hanging out in roadside water in Florida? Then we head north to Pennsylvania to talk about house sparrows, crows, and their neighborhood behavior. Join us for a lively conver...

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43:04

104: Guam Kingfisher with Jenna Mccullough

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/07/28

In this week’s episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re thrilled to welcome ornithologist Jenna McCullough to the show for a deep dive into one of the most endangered birds on the planet: the Guam Kingfisher. Once extinct in the wild, this striking bird—known for its bold colors and elusive nature—has become a powerful symbol of conservation. Jenna shares the incredible story of how scientists are working to bring the Guam Kingfisher back from the brink, the challenges of breeding a...

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45:09

103: Inca Tern - Plus we talk about John's trip to Peru!

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/07/21

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, John is back from his unforgettable trip to Peru, and we’ve got plenty to talk about! From the incredible bird species he encountered to the vibrant landscapes, John shares highlights and stories from his adventure. We also dive into one of the most distinctive birds of the region — the Inca Tern — famous for its striking mustache and bold personality. It’s a fun and fact-filled conversation with plenty of laughs along the way. Hosted by ornithol...

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38:14

102: Laughing Kookaburras with Jenna Mccullough

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/07/14

In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving deep into the world of kookaburras, the iconic laughing bird of Australia, with ornithologist Jenna McCullough. Jenna is a third-generation birdwatcher from Boise, Idaho, with a PhD in Biology from the University of New Mexico. She’s currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Kentucky and soon starting a prestigious National Science Foundation fellowship at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and UCLA...

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68:07

101: Extremely Accurate Bird Songs with Tommy Siegel...

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/07/07

Get ready for the crossover event bird lovers can’t stop talking about! In this special episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we welcome the hilarious and musically gifted duo behind the Extremely Accurate Bird Songs Podcast—Tommy Siegel and Billy Libby. Join hosts John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart as we: 🐦 Listen to unbelievably accurate (and funny) bird song performances 😂 Share nonstop laughs about birding and music 🎵 Discover how comedy and creativity

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48:54

100: Kingfishers with Jenna Mccullough

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/06/30

Jenna Mccullough is a third generation birdwatcher from Boise, ID. She got her bachelors at the university of Idaho (2015); got her masters (2018) and PhD (2024) at the university of New Mexico. She's a postdoc at the university of Kentucky and about to start a National Science foundation fellowship at the natural history museum of Los Angeles County and UCLA. Jenna joins us to talk all about Kingfishers. There is an exhibit starting up at the Field Museum that Shannon and John have bee...

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77:37

99: Marcel Rochon Interview: The Healing Power of...

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/06/23

We’re joined by a fan of the show who reached out with a heartfelt letter that really moved us. Our guest, Marcel, is a passionate birder with a story that is truly touching. From being a world-class athlete to navigating the challenges of a severe brain injury, he found healing and meaning in nature and birding. We’ll start by sharing the touching email he sent us—and then we’ll introduce you to our inspiring new friend, Marcel. Along the way, we also talk about Belted Kingfishers, Cedar Wax...

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94:04

98: Peter Kaestner Interview - Seeing 10,000 Bird...

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/06/16

This week, we have a truly special guest—Peter Kaestner, the first person in history to see over 10,000 bird species in the wild. It’s a mind-blowing achievement. Peter took us on an unforgettable journey through his life as a birder, and how his career as a diplomat allowed him to travel the globe. He shared incredible stories—like birding in Colombia during the height of Pablo Escobar’s power, and even discovering a new species. His passion, humor, and humility made this such a joy to recor...

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35:10

97: Orange-tufted Spiderhunter

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/06/09

We’ve got a fun one for you this week as we get ready for a very special guest: Peter Kaestner—the first person to see 10,000 bird species in the wild. We speak to him next week. To prep for that epic conversation, we're taking a closer look at the bird that earned him that milestone: the Orange-tufted Spiderhunter. Spoiler alert—Amanda was not impressed by it at first, and John and Shannon do their best to change her mind. Along the way, we get into species counts, what they mean, and how bi...

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58:01

96: Black-capped Chickadee - Cute Bird with a Mighty...

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/06/02

In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we dive deep into the fascinating world of the Black-capped Chickadee—one of North America's most beloved birds. Discover the secrets behind the chickadee's distinctive “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call, its remarkable memory, and how this tiny bird survives harsh winters with clever food-storing habits. Join us as we explore the Black-capped Chickadee’s habitat, behavior, and role in backyard birdwatching and forest ecosystems. Whether you're a s...

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35:45

95: Ruby-throated Hummingbird Revisited

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/05/26

In this episode of Birds of a Feather Podcast, we revisit one of our favorite past episodes all about the ruby-throated hummingbird—a truly fascinating and fast-flying species known for its shimmering feathers and incredible migration. Join hosts John Bates and Shannon Hackett, along with RJ Pole and Amanda Marquart, as we dive back into the world of this unique hummingbird and explore what makes it such a standout in the bird world. We also answer a listener mailbag question about mallard du...

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40:53

94: Blackpoll Warbler Revisited - Epic Migration and...

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/05/19

This week, we're revisiting a listener favorite all about Blackpoll Warblers—tiny birds with an absolutely epic migration. Whether you're new to warblers or already a seasoned birder, this episode is packed with fascinating facts and fresh insights. John and Shannon dive into what makes the Blackpoll Warbler’s journey so mind-blowing, and John gives us a broader look at warblers in general—including the time he spotted over 20 species in a single day! It’s a fun, informative episode that’s su...

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51:48

93: Great Potoo, we also talk Prothonotary Warbler...

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/05/12

This week, we dive into the weird and wonderful world of the Great Potoo—a mysterious nocturnal bird with haunting eyes and an even stranger call. Ever wondered why robin eggs are blue? We’ve got the answer! Plus, we spotlight one of North America’s most stunning songbirds: the Prothonotary Warbler, known for its brilliant yellow plumage and swampy haunts. If you're a bird lover, nature nerd, or just curious about the strangest birds on Earth, this episode is packed with fun facts, surprising...

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63:39

92: Wood Ducks: Nesting Behavior, Baby Ducklings & a...

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/05/05

In this nature-packed episode, we dive into the fascinating world of Wood Ducks—one of the most beautiful and iconic duck species in North America. Learn about their striking plumage, unique nesting habits, and the incredible moment when day-old ducklings leap from tree cavities to join their mother on the ground. We also share a recent encounter with a Barred Owl family, and answer a listener’s mailbag question about owl chicks spotted at Walt Disney World. Hosted by married ornithologists J...

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31:18

91: How NSF Budget Cuts Are Threatening U.S. Science...

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/05/05

In this timely and urgent episode, we explore the devastating impact of recent budget cuts and defunding of the National Science Foundation (NSF) on the U.S. scientific community. Originally planning to discuss Wood Ducks, our conversation quickly shifted to the broader crisis facing science in America today. Join married ornithologists John and Shannon as they share firsthand insights into how these funding cuts are affecting scientific research, biodiversity studies, and the future of envir...

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48:40

90: American Dipper - Bird that Walks Under Water

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/04/28

This week we are talking about one of the coolest birds in North America: The American Dipper. This is a smaller nondescript bird that has learned and adapted how find food in some of the roughest river water imaginable. It can fly through waterfalls, withstand rushing currents, and to the eye just looks like a little gray songbird. John and Shannon both have a ton of experience with them, so it’s a lot of fun to hear about these amazing birds. As always, its our hosts and married coupl...

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46:07

89: Red-Ruffed Fruitcrow

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/04/14

If you listened to our series on the Feather Thief, or read the book, you are familiar with the Red-ruffed fruitcrow. It was also called the Indian crow in the book. We wanted to follow up the series to talk more in depth about one of the birds that was mentioned so much, and it was pretty fascinating to learn more about this bird that actually has not been researched much. As always, its our hosts and married couple John Bates and Shannon Hackett who are curators of birds at the Field Museum...

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33:23

88: Spotted Towhee - Bright Red Eyes!

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/04/14

This week we talk about the Spotted Towhee. RJ and Amanda saw them on their trip to Sedona, and thought it would be a fun bird to learn more about. Hosted by John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart. Please send us your questions for us to answer as well! You can send them to podcast.birdsofafeather@gmail.com Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Blue Sky Social, YouTube and tik tok as well!!

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56:56

87: Gambel's Quail - Sedona, topknots, and who was...

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/04/07

In this exciting episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we dive into the fascinating world of the Gambel's Quail – a stunning bird spotted by RJ and Amanda during their recent trip to Sedona, Arizona. With John’s Arizona roots, this bird-focused adventure made for the perfect topic, and trust us, it’s one you won’t want to miss! But that's not all – we also answer an intriguing listener question about owl pellets discovered at a flower farm in Illinois. Tune in for a mix of birdwatching...

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24:01

86: Hoatzin Revisited with Jacob Drucker - You've...

Birds of a Feather Talk Together ·

2025/03/31

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 might even offer a glimpse into the distant past of dinosaurs. Join our expert panel, including John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, Amanda Marquart, and special guest Jacob Drucker, as we explore the Hoatzin’s strange biology, incredible behaviors, and its surprising c...

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129 results

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