Birds of a Feather Talk Together

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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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! 🐦
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