If you listened to our series on the Feather Thief, or read the book, you are familiar with the Red-ruffed fruitcrow. It was also called the Indian crow in the book. We wanted to follow up the series to talk more in depth about one of the birds that was mentioned so much, and it was pretty fascinating to learn more about this bird that actually has not been researched much. As always, its our hosts and married couple John Bates and Shannon Hackett who are curators of birds at the Field Museum, along with amateur birders RJ Pole and Amanda Marquart. 

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This week we talk about the Spotted Towhee. RJ and Amanda saw them on their trip to Sedona, and thought it would be a fun bird to learn more about. 

Hosted by John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart. 

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

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In this exciting episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we dive into the fascinating world of the Gambel's Quail – a stunning bird spotted by RJ and Amanda during their recent trip to Sedona, Arizona. With John’s Arizona roots, this bird-focused adventure made for the perfect topic, and trust us, it’s one you won’t want to miss!

But that's not all – we also answer an intriguing listener question about owl pellets discovered at a flower farm in Illinois. Tune in for a mix of birdwatching tips, fun facts, and expert insights you can only get from Birds of a Feather Talk Together.

🦅 Featured Birds: Gambel's Quail
🌸 Mailbag Question: Owl Pellets at an Illinois Flower Farm
🎧 Listen now for the perfect blend of nature, curiosity, and fun!

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with fellow bird lovers and nature enthusiasts! #GambelsQuail #Birdwatching #OwlPellets #Sedona #BirdsOfAFeather #NaturePodcast #WildlifeExploration #Birding #NatureLovers

In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we dive deep into the world of the Hoatzin, one of the most unique and mysterious birds on the planet! With claws on their wings as chicks, these fascinating creatures might even offer a glimpse into the distant past of dinosaurs.

Join our expert panel, including John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, Amanda Marquart, and special guest Jacob Drucker, as we explore the Hoatzin’s strange biology, incredible behaviors, and its surprising connection to the age of dinosaurs. From their prehistoric traits,  we uncover why the Hoatzin continues to baffle and excite birders around the world.

Get ready for a fun-filled, educational episode packed with fascinating insights about this one-of-a-kind bird. Whether you’re a birdwatching enthusiast, a dinosaur lover, or just a fan of nature’s oddities, this episode is sure to leave you captivated!

Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with your fellow birders and podcast lovers!

In this exciting episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, hosts John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart dive into the fascinating world of the Purple Martin. Learn how these remarkable birds depend on man-made structures for nesting, particularly in the Eastern U.S., and why they’re so unique.

In the second half, we tackle a mailbag question about a Grackle causing trouble by killing other birds in suburban areas. Is this behavior typical?

This episode is packed with crucial bird insights, environmental concerns, and expert advice you won’t want to miss. Tune in to learn more about Purple Martins!

#PurpleMartin #BirdWatching #FireworksImpact #GrackleBehavior #BirdConservation #BirdsOfAFeather #BirdsOfPrey #SuburbanBirds #BirdLife #WildlifeProtection #BirdLovers

If you've listened to our other episodes, you know Shannon's stance on Mourning Doves. See if we can convince her otherwise in our episode on Mourning Doves. 

Hosted by John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart. 

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

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Harlequin Ducks are a captivating species of small, compact waterfowl known for their distinctive appearance. These beautiful ducks feature a large, rounded head, a small bill, and a steep forehead. Their striking plumage showcases a stunning slate blue color, accented with white stripes and chestnut sides. The head is especially eye-catching with a white crescent marking in front of the eye and chestnut highlights on the brow.

In this week's episode of the Birds of a Feather Talk Together podcast, we dive into the unique characteristics of the Harlequin Duck, exploring their fascinating behaviors, habitats, and the conservation efforts aimed at protecting these incredible birds. Tune in to learn more about the Harlequin Duck and its role in the world of waterfowl!

As always, you have John Bates, Shannon Hackett, Amanda Marquart, and RJ Pole here 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, YouTube and tik tok as well!!

In today’s thrilling episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of true crime with Kirk Wallace Johnson, bestselling author of The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century. Join us as Kirk unravels the extraordinary story of a bizarre heist at The Natural History Museum in Tring, where a daring thief stole priceless rare bird feathers, setting off a global manhunt.

This gripping narrative explores the obsession with these rare specimens and the relentless pursuit of justice that spanned continents. Kirk’s meticulous research uncovers a story of greed, passion, and the lengths people will go to for a glimpse into the world of rare natural history. From the high-stakes crime to the feathered treasures at the heart of the heist, this episode is packed with jaw-dropping revelations.

Listen in as we discuss the twisted tale of the thief, the stolen treasures, and the worldwide chase that ensued. Whether you’re a true-crime aficionado or a lover of natural history, you won’t want to miss this captivating conversation.

As always, you have John Bates, Shannon Hackett, Amanda Marquart, and RJ Pole here 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, YouTube and tik tok as well!!

This week we close out with our final thoughts on the Feather Thief, as well as talk about the importance of museums and their collections. It’s our last episode before we talk to the author Kirk Wallace Johnson, so get ready for next week. 

This week we talk a little bit about obsession in general, and how it is human nature to become obsessed, whether it was Alfred Russel Wallace, or even Edwin Rist. It’s important to channel that obsession into something positive because it can go dark really quick. 

We start off talking about the accomplice in the book named Long, and whether or not he was manipulated by Edwin. We’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming discussing different birds soon enough. Once back, we are kicking it off with episodes on the Harlequin Duck and the Mourning Dove. So get ready for those in a couple weeks. 

Welcome back to Part 5 of our exploration of the book The Feather Thief. We discuss the horrific act that’s still causing ripples in the world of museums. We’ll also take a closer look at the role museum collections play in science—a subject misunderstood by some fly-tiers in the book. We also talk about how museum specimens drive scientific progress. We’ll also touch on some of the oddball research requests museums have received over the years, including one inquiry about the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker.

We begin with a brief talk into Shannon’s thoughts on Canadian-American relations, particularly the threats of tariffs, before drifting into a discussion on precious metals and their unexpected influence on foreign policy decisions. But don’t worry—it’s all over in a flash, and then, it’s back to The Feather Thief and all its intrigue.

As always, you have John Bates, Shannon Hackett, Amanda Marquart, and RJ Pole here 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, YouTube and tik tok as well!!