Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! This week we revisit a segment on the Christmas Bird Count. We also answer a question on the book the Feather Thief. We also finish it off with an exciting announcment for 2025 (spoiler, we are going to do a mini-series all about The Feather Thief!)

Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart for Birds of a Feather Talk Together. 

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We talk about what the four of us have learned so far on our podcast journey. It's a fun reflection from RJ, Shannon, John, and Amanda. Enjoy!

Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart for Birds of a Feather Talk Together. 

Please send us your questions for us to answer as well! You can send them to [email protected]

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This week's episode is a little different. John is going on a trip to the Falkland Islands to study Gentoo Penguins, so we ask him all about his upcoming trip. We end up discussing avian influenza a bit as well, as Bird Flu is a major concern for the trip. 

Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart for Birds of a Feather Talk Together. 

Please send us your questions for us to answer as well! You can send them to [email protected]

Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Blue Sky Social and tik tok as well!!

This week we discuss the Rusty Blackbird. Rusty Blackbird is one of North America’s most rapidly declining species. The population has dropped between 85-99 percent over the past forty years, and Amanda and RJ saw one a few weeks ago so we decided to talk about them. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart for Birds of a Feather Talk Together. 

We also answer a mailbag question on The Big Year (the movie with Owen Wilson, Steve Martin, and Jack Black, and also the book by Mark Obmascik.)

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We revisit an old episode on the Wild Turkey this week. These birds are a major conservation success story. We also talk about John seeing a turkey in the Democratic Republic of Congo, how turkeys got their name, and learn all about their magnificent feathers. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart for Birds of a Feather Talk Together. 

This week we are also joined by Jacob Drucker. Jacob Drucker is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Chicago and the Field Museum studying how birds interact with tropical climates over ecological and evolutionary time. We also did a couple episodes on Hawaiian Honeycreepers with Jacob, please go back and check those out if you haven't heard them yet. 

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Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart as we discuss the White-throated sparrow. We talk about sparrows in general, and how to differentiate them based on behavior and not just their appearance. We also talk about how they have been shrinking in size over the last 50 years, and how the specimen collection at the Field Museum have helped determine that. We also talk about their different head-types, and mating preferences between the two head types. 

We also answer a mailbag question from a listener in the U.K. on vultures.

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This week we discuss the wrentit with Kevin Burns! You've probably heard this bird's call in many movies and tv shows, but only seen it if you've been to California or Oregon. They are one of the most sedentary birds in North America, but somehow their closes relatives are in Asia. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart in Birds of a Feather Talk Together!

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Kevin Burns joins us again to discuss the Inti Tanager. Kevin is an ornithologist and professor of biology at San Diego State University and goes way back with Shannon and John. Kevin tells us all about the story of this bird, from the sighting in the early 2000’s in Peru, to it finally being described as a species 20 years later. The bird earned the nickname the 'Kill Bill Tanager' due to its bright yellow feathers and black brow which resembled Uma Thurman’s outfit in the movie. We’re not quite sure how we feel about the nickname, but hopefully that paints a picture for you. 

We also answer a question on a leucitic red-tailed hawk that was seen in Michigan. 

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This super unique bird from New Caledonia has been isolated on an island in the Pacific for so long, but somehow its closest relative is the Sunbittern in Central and South America. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart as we discuss the Kagu. 

We also answer a question on feathers. Here is the organization that we were referencing in the feather question: https://libertywildlife.org/conservation-services/non-eagle-feather-repository-2/

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We interview evolutionary biologist and the author of 'Slow Birding' Joan E. Strassmann. Joan has a new book released on October 22nd and is called 'The Slow Birding Journal'. It is a unique companion for bird enthusiasts seeking a deeper connection with the avian world around them. The journal encourages a slow, mindful approach to birding, celebrating the beauty and diversity of birds wherever you find them. We talk to Joan all about her new book, and get an interesting backstory on her first book as well. 

Join our usual hosts John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart as they interview Joan.

Please send us your questions for us to answer as well! You can send them to [email protected]

Make sure to follow us on instagram and tik tok as well!!