Birds of a Feather Talk Together

• 117: Palm-nut Vulture - A Vulture Unlike Any Other!

  Welcome back to Birds of a Feather Talk Together. Hosted by ornithologists and curators of birds at the Field Museum John Bates and Shannon Hackett, who are married, and also new birders RJ and Amanda Pole. Today we’re focusing on a fascinating species — the palm-nut vulture.This is a bird John has been eager to highlight, and once you learn more about it, it’s easy to see why. Found in Africa, palm-nut vultures don’t eat carrion, but instead their diet is mostly plant based. They’re also striking in appearance — mostly white plumage, a sharp contrast to the darker vultures many of us picture — and they’re truly impressive to observe in the wild.John has had the opportunity to see palm-nut vultures in the wild, and today he’ll share firsthand insight into their behavior and ecology.Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

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• 116: Common Loon - An Eerie and Beautiful Call - Listener Request!

  That echoing, haunting call drifting across a northern lake at dusk — few sounds in nature are as unforgettable as the common loon. In this listener-requested episode, RJ, John, Shannon, and Amanda dive into the world of these striking waterbirds. From their red eyes and black-and-white plumage to their incredible diving and parenting skills, loons are true masters of life on the water.Grab a cup of coffee, settle in lakeside, and join us for a relaxing, fact-filled conversation about one of North America’s most iconic birds.🎧 Listen to learn:Why loons’ eerie calls are so distinctiveHow their anatomy makes them world-class diversWhat their plumage and red eyes signalWhere to find loons across the northern U.S. and CanadaWhether you’ve heard their call on a quiet morning or are dreaming of your next lake getaway, this episode will transport you straight to the water’s edge.Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky

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• 115: Downy Woodpecker and Hairy Woodpecker

  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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