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Birds of a Feather Talk Together is a birding and birdwatching podcast for beginners and experts alike, blending expert ornithology with curiosity, storytelling, humor, and real-time discovery.

Hosted from Chicago by married Field Museum ornithologists and curators John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside birding enthusiasts RJ and Amanda Pole, the podcast explores the fascinating world of birds ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes170Founded3 years ago
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NatureEducationScience

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Latest Episodes

What happens when a bird lays its eggs in another bird’s nest and tricks unsuspecting parents into raising its young? Welcome to the fascinating—and sometimes downright creepy—world of the Great Spotted Cuckoo!

In this episode of Birds of a Feather ... more

YouTube

The California Condor is one of the rarest birds in North America, and its remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction is one of the greatest wildlife conservation stories ever told.

In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're re... more

YouTube

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re exploring the Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)—a striking black-and-white shorebird with a bright orange-red bill found across Europe, including the coasts of Northern Ireland.

There... more

YouTube

For the first time ever, Birds of a Feather Talk Together is recording in front of a live audience!

We had an incredible time at the Chicago Urban Birding Festival, a celebration of birds, birding, conservation, and the amazing wildlife that can be ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Christian Flores
Wildlife educator and zoologist; advocate for animal welfare and conservation
Crikey to Christian (social media)
Episode: 165: California Condor: Saving One of the World's Rarest Birds from Extinction | Christian Flores
Peter Kessner
Renowned birder; world-record level observer
Independent birder
Episode: 163: Live at the Chicago Urban Birding Festival! | Our First-Ever Live Birding Podcast
Kirk Wallace Johnson
Author of The Feather Thief; guest who contributed engaging insights
Author/Journalist
Episode: 163: Live at the Chicago Urban Birding Festival! | Our First-Ever Live Birding Podcast
Emily B.
Listener who wrote in with her Black Phoebe story
Episode: 161: Black Phoebe and Urban Birding Festival Preview
Geoffrey Baer
Chicago television personality and tour guest
WTTW/Chicago broadcasting
Episode: 156: Baltimore Orioles: The Master Weavers of the Bird World 🧡🐦
David Vander Pluym
Graduate student researching slate-throated Redstart/Whitestart
Louisiana State University and Museum of Natural Science
Episode: 153: Slate-throated Redstart (or Whitestart) with David Vander Pluym
Louise Bott
Birding researcher; discussed European goldfinches in Australia and New Zealand
University-affiliated researcher; their work on European goldfinches
Episode: 149: Birding Australia, New Zealand & Beyond + Shannon’s Cochlear Implant Update 🐦🌏
Peter Kaestner
World-record birder, first to see 10,000 species in the wild
Independent birder / world traveler
Episode: 147: Peter Kaestner: The First Birder to See 10,000 Bird Species in the Wild 🐦
Jenna McCullough
Guest in house; participant in color discussions and birding conversations
Appears as an in-house guest at the Field Museum discussion
Episode: 143: Pink-headed Fruit Dove: One of the Most Beautiful Doves in the World 🐦

Hosts

John Bates
Host and Field Museum ornithologist
Shannon Hackett
Host and Field Museum ornithologist
Amanda Pole
Host and birding enthusiast
RJ Pole
Birding enthusiast co-host

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 108 ratings
  • Great Podcast

    I’m only about 4 years into birding and I love the open conversation and knowledge shared in the podcast. Im in the Chicagoland area so it nice you guys are close to home!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Moments of gratitude 75
    United States6 months ago
  • Love this podcast!

    Always a great listen and full of good info!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    13degreesphotography
    United States6 months ago
  • Great all around talk show style podcast

    I love your podcast! It feels as though I’m just a fly on the wall of y’all just chatting about what comes to mind when it comes to life and birds. It feels very unscripted and has a very genuine style. Have a great one and keep up the amazing work! Thanks so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Robertchunt
    United States7 months ago
  • Birds! Birds! Birds!

    I love how the show starts off talking about a species but questions come up along the way about ornithology in general. Very cool show 🪶

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kSpence2019
    United States9 months ago
  • Fun listen

    Fun discussions, information for new and experienced birders from experts and ‘normal’ birding enthusiasts. I look forward to new episodes showing up.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    STLbirder
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Quality science content delivered in an approachable way attracts both beginners and seasoned birders.
Listeners praise the casual, unscripted vibe and genuine passion for birds.
The Field Museum connection and guest variety are recurrent strengths that keep discussions fresh.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#72
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#175
United Kingdom/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#195
Canada/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#118
Germany/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#136
Australia/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#45
Colombia/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

166: Great Spotted Cuckoo: Brood Parasitism, Evolution & the Real Science Behind the Horror Movie Cuckoo
Q: How do the cuckoos grow up to know to eat caterpillars, and how does that work?
John Bates and Shannon Hackett suggest that important behaviors, including migration and aspects of species recognition, may be genetically encoded rather than learned from host parents. John also notes that juveniles may encounter other Great Spotted Cuckoos in parts of Africa.
166: Great Spotted Cuckoo: Brood Parasitism, Evolution & the Real Science Behind the Horror Movie Cuckoo
Q: Does that behavior from the movie, is that related to anything in real life?
The hosts explain that the movie's human cuckoo is fictional, but brood parasitism is real: birds such as the Great Spotted Cuckoo lay eggs in other birds' nests. The discussion focuses on the real behavior and its evolutionary adaptations.
165: California Condor: Saving One of the World's Rarest Birds from Extinction | Christian Flores
Q: What sparked your interest in the California condor and why did you choose to focus on this species?
Christian explains his passion for animals with bad PR and how educating the public about condors helps reframe their ecological importance, emphasizing their role as key scavengers and the impressive recovery story.
150: California Condors with Christian Flores - The Incredible Comeback of North America's Largest Bird 🦅
Q: If you signed up for a bird tour, is there a chance to see California condors in the wild, or are they still rare to spot?
There are places where viewing is more likely, like Vermilion Cliffs or Pinnacles; however, sightings are not guaranteed and depend on location and timing, making wild condor watching a special experience.
150: California Condors with Christian Flores - The Incredible Comeback of North America's Largest Bird 🦅
Q: Very cool. So Christian, I had just a question about when they would take the egg from the mother so she would lay another egg. Was that egg mechanically incubated?
Yes. The eggs were incubated in machines, kept warm, rotated regularly, and the chicks were raised with careful schedules and adult birds to teach them natural behavior before release.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Birds of a Feather Talk Together

What is Birds of a Feather Talk Together about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A blend of expert ornithology and real-world birding hobbyist insight makes this show approachable for newcomers while delivering depth on behavior, migration, identification, and conservation. Episodes span California condor recovery, international birding travels, rare species, and museum-grade context, all delivered through casual, curiosity-driven conversations that feel like a table‑top discussion among colleagues. A standout is the ongoing Field Museum connection, pairing researchers with passionate amateurs to explore topics from tool-using birds to taxonomic debates, making science engaging and highly accessible to a broad audience.

Listeners may find it especially appealing if they enjoy thoughtful nerding-out about birds, seasona... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Birds of a Feather Talk Together?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Birds of a Feather Talk Together:

1. Life List: A Birding Podcast
2. The American Birding Podcast
3. The Science of Birds
4. BirdNote Daily
5. Okay, But... Birds

How many episodes of Birds of a Feather Talk Together are there?

Birds of a Feather Talk Together launched 3 years ago and published 170 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Birds of a Feather Talk Together?

Recent guests on Birds of a Feather Talk Together include:

1. Christian Flores
2. Peter Kessner
3. Kirk Wallace Johnson
4. Emily B.
5. Geoffrey Baer
6. David Vander Pluym
7. Louise Bott
8. Peter Kaestner

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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