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!

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