Rephonic
Artwork for Birds of a Feather Talk Together
Tufted Puffin
Hawaiian Honeycreepers
Limpkin
European Goldfinch
Rock Pigeon
Hoatzin
Flame Bowerbird
Introduced Species
European Roller
Common Puffin
Mallard Duck
Limpkins
Conservation Efforts
Bird Anatomy
Mating Rituals
Bowers
Evolution
European Starling
Climate Change
Bacteria

Birds of a Feather Talk Together is a birding and nature podcast for bird lovers of all experience levels. Hosted by professional ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, curators of birds at the Field Museum in Chicago, alongside birding enthusiasts RJ Pole and Amanda Pole, the show blends expert insight with fresh curiosity.

John and Shannon bring decades of ornithology experience and acc... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes134Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatureLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Birds of a Feather Talk Together

Latest Episodes

Discover the beauty and biology of the Cedar Waxwing, one of North America’s most elegant songbirds, in this week’s episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together. Join hosts and Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett along with RJ P... more

YouTube

Welcome back to Birds of a Feather Talk Together—and welcome to our first new episode of 2026! After wrapping up our deep dive into ducks, we’re kicking off the new year by doing something a little different: each of us brings a favorite science stor... more

YouTube

We’re wrapping up our recent duck series with a revisit of one of our favorite Birds of a Feather Talk Together episodes: the Wood Duck. Known for its stunning colors, unique nesting habits, and remarkable conservation comeback, the Wood Duck is one ... more

YouTube

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 alon... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Science of Birds
The Science of BirdsIvan Phillipsen
The American Birding Podcast
The American Birding PodcastAmerican Birding Association
The Wild with Chris Morgan
The Wild with Chris MorganKUOW News and Information

Recent Guests

Ellen Weatherford
Host of Just the Zoo of Us, where animals are rated and reviewed.
Just the Zoo of Us
Episode: 122: Flamingos with Ellen Weatherford
Kirk Wallace Johnson
Author of The Feather Thief, engaging speaker and storyteller
Episode: 114: The Feather Thief with Kirk Wallace Johnson - Revisited
RJ Pole
Episode: 110: Red-headed Woodpecker - Catching Bugs Out Of The Sky + Paddleboard Sightings
Jenna McCullough
Bird expert and researcher specializing in Kingfishers
Episode: 104: Guam Kingfisher with Jenna Mccullough
Peter Kaestner
The first person in history to see over 10,000 bird species in the wild.
Episode: 98: Peter Kaestner Interview - Seeing 10,000 Bird Species In The Wild!
Amanda Marquart
Fiancée of RJ Pole, bird enthusiast
Episode: 89: Red-Ruffed Fruitcrow
Jason Weckstein
Associate Curator of Ornithology at the Academy of Natural Sciences and Associate Professor at Drexel University
Drexel University
Episode: 79: The Feather Thief Part 4: The Argus Pheasant and Jason Weckstein Joins Us Again!!
Kevin Burns
Bird expert who specializes in tanagers and Darwin's Finches
Episode: Teaser: We Are Down This Week - Exciting Episodes On The Horizon!
Joan Strassman
Author of The Slow Birding Journal
Episode: Teaser: We Are Down This Week - Exciting Episodes On The Horizon!

Hosts

John Bates
Co-host and seasoned ornithologist with a focus on featured birds, curating the bird collection at the Field Museum and engaging in discussions on diverse avian topics.
Shannon Hackett
Co-host and ornithologist, involved in curation at the Field Museum, contributing deep insights into bird behavior and conservation efforts.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 90 ratings
  • 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 States24 days 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 Statesa month ago
  • Olive-sided Flycatcher

    I am definitely relating to John’s pick for Olive-sided Flycatcher! That group of birds is so entertaining and interesting to watch. During my last visit to CO my favorite bird of the trip was the Cinnamon Flycatcher! Definitely not as showy as most of the birds, but a great bird for its diminutive size!

    I shouldn’t have abbreviated the country, Colombia! The Cinnamon Flycatcher’s range is in South America. Sorry for the confusion on my part.

    I have an additional comment to make about the Olive-... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CeceD.
    United States3 months ago
  • Olive-sided Flycatchers rule!

    This is a great podcast. Five stars, for sure. I wanted to write this review to say that John is correct. The Olive-sided Flycatcher is an amazing bird. Listening to it while backpacking out West in Idaho, Oregon, and Colorado was always a treat. Not only would I delight in its iconic “Quick! THREE beers” call, but whenever I heard it, I would look up and inevitably find one perched high on a bare branch of a dead tree. They are incredible to watch when they forage, sallying out expertly away fr... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stosberg Drummer
    United States4 months ago
  • Olive-sided Flycatcher

    I am definitely relating to John’s pick for Olive-sided Flycatcher! That group of birds is so entertaining and interesting to watch. During my last visit to CO my favorite bird of the trip was the Cinnamon Flycatcher! Definitely not as showy as most of the birds, but a great bird for its diminutive size!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CeceD.
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The community-driven approach of the podcast is frequently noted, with listeners appreciating the camaraderie among the hosts and the diverse range of topics covered, from the common to the exotic birds.
Many reviews highlight the enjoyable storytelling aspect, where hosts share personal experiences that resonate with audiences, emphasizing both the beauty of birds and the earnest discussions on their conservation.
Listeners appreciate the informative and casual conversations that feel personal and welcoming, as if they are part of a friendly gathering. They find immense value in the discussions around various bird species and conservation efforts, often reflecting a passion for nature and wildlife.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#38
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#192
Canada/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#89
Australia/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#4
Argentina/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#9
Brazil/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#40
South Korea/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

127: Harlequin Duck Revisited
Q: How far does a crow or murder go to forage?
Crows may travel far distances to find food, as highlighted in the context of smaller groups forming before their large roosts to ensure they have adequate foraging opportunities.
120: Mourning Dove Revisited
Q: Do they mate for life?
There is no evidence of extra pair fertilizations in Mourning Doves, but they might change mates if necessary due to short lifespans.
114: The Feather Thief with Kirk Wallace Johnson - Revisited
Q: What do you think is the significance of your book in terms of the natural history community?
It highlights the need for museums to document biodiversity and educate the public, while acknowledging the complexities involved.
114: The Feather Thief with Kirk Wallace Johnson - Revisited
Q: How much prior knowledge did you have on collections, Wallace, and any of this before writing The Feather Thief?
I was a complete dimwit. I had a vague memory of Wallace but ultimately had to research extensively to understand the importance of the collections.
113: Kirtland's Warbler Revisited
Q: Do you all think it's okay to use bird calls to attract birds?
The use of bird calls can be ambiguous; it can attract birds, but it may also stress them.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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?

This engaging podcast offers a delightful exploration into the avian world, catering to bird enthusiasts of all skill levels. Hosts, seasoned bird experts, share their wealth of knowledge as they discuss a wide range of topics including exotic and rare bird species, bird behavior, and conservation efforts. Each episode is enriched with personal anecdotes, expert insights, and useful birding tips that make the learning experience both informative and entertaining. The hosts' camaraderie adds a layer of warmth, making listeners feel as if they're part of an ongoing conversation among friends passionate about birds. This engaging blend of stories and scientific knowledge is sure to inspire both novice and experienced bird watchers alike to app... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Birds of a Feather Talk Together?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Birds of a Feather Talk Together. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Birds of a Feather Talk Together and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Birds of a Feather Talk Together get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Birds of a Feather Talk Together, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Birds of a Feather Talk Together?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Birds of a Feather Talk Together, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Birds of a Feather Talk Together have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Birds of a Feather Talk Together has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. The Science of Birds
2. The American Birding Podcast
3. BirdNote Daily
4. The Wild with Chris Morgan
5. Ologies with Alie Ward

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

Birds of a Feather Talk Together launched 3 years ago and published 134 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Birds of a Feather Talk Together?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Birds of a Feather Talk Together?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Birds of a Feather Talk Together from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Birds of a Feather Talk Together?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Birds of a Feather Talk Together. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

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

Recent guests on Birds of a Feather Talk Together include:

1. Ellen Weatherford
2. Kirk Wallace Johnson
3. RJ Pole
4. Jenna McCullough
5. Peter Kaestner
6. Amanda Marquart
7. Jason Weckstein
8. Kevin Burns

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days