Welcome back to Birds of a Feather Talk Together, the podcast where bird lovers flock to learn more about the amazing world of birds!In this episode, we’re diving into two of North America’s most look-alike woodpeckers — the Downy Woodpecker and the Hairy Woodpecker. Whether you’re a new bird watcher trying to tell these two apart, or an experienced birder curious about their unique behaviors and adaptations, this episode has something for you.Join your favorite birding hosts — John Bates and Shannon Hackett, married ornithologists from the Field Museum, along with RJ Pole and his wife Amanda — as they share field stories, ID tips, and fascinating facts about these incredible birds.Plus, we answer a mailbag question from one of our longtime listeners that led to a surprisingly “spark”-filled discussion — you won’t want to miss it!🎧 Tune in now for bird identification tips, fun woodpecker facts, and expert insight from some of the best voices in ornithology.Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky
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114: The Feather Thief with Kirk Wallace Johnson - Revisited
Welcome back to Birds of a Feather Talk Together! We’re taking a short break this week, but we’ve got something special lined up for you. While we gear up for upcoming episodes on Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers—and even a deep dive into the mysterious world of loons—we’re revisiting one of our most popular interviews from last year.In this replay, your hosts John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Pole sit down with Kirk Wallace Johnson, acclaimed author of The Feather Thief. His bestselling book tells the gripping true story of obsession, theft, and the black market trade for rare bird feathers—a tale that bird lovers, naturalists, and true-crime fans alike will find fascinating.This story hits close to home for John and Shannon, curators of birds at the Field Museum. John even served as an advisor to Johnson while he was researching the book. Whether you’re a birder, a natural history fan, or simply love a great story, this episode is packed with insight, passion, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most talked-about bird-related books in recent memory.Grab your binoculars (and maybe a copy of The Feather Thief)—and enjoy our conversation with Kirk Wallace Johnson!Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky
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113: Kirtland's Warbler Revisited
This week we’re revisiting one of our older episodes all about the Kirtland’s warbler. If you caught our interview with Peter Kaestner (episode 98), you might remember that he almost went birding on the morning of his wedding just to see this bird—so if Peter was that excited, you know it’s going to be a good one. The Kirtland’s warbler has a fascinating story, from populations threatened by the brown-headed cowbird—which we talked about last week—to an unexpected connection with the infamous murderers Leopold and Loeb. So whether you’re here for the bird facts or a little true-crime twist, you’re in for a treat.Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky
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112: Brown-headed Cowbird Revisited - Laying Eggs In Other Birds' Nests!
We’re revisiting our episode on the brown-headed cowbird, and trust me, this one’s a wild ride. Did you know cowbirds don’t build their own nests, but instead lay their eggs in other birds’ nests and let them do the parenting? Even birds that aren’t even close in size will get stuck raising the chicks of a brown-headed cowbird. Hosts John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Pole talk about the Brown-headed Cowbird!Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky
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111: Project Phoenix with Olivia Sanderfoot and Allison Shultz - How Wildfires Are Impacting Birds
This week we’re excited to welcome two special guests—Olivia Sanderfoot and Allison Shultz—to talk about Project Phoenix. This important project is exploring how wildfire smoke impacts birds on the West Coast, and what that means for their survival in a rapidly warming world. Understanding these effects is critical for shaping conservation strategies, and we can’t wait to learn more from Olivia and Allison in this conversation. It’s a truly fascinating discussion, and they were so great to talk to and are amazing advocates for this cause. I think you’re going to walk away with a lot from this one. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky
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!
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