This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, John takes the lead with his pick: the Olive-sided Flycatcher. Despite traveling the world and spotting hundreds of bird species, this flycatcher still holds a special place on his list of favorites. But not everyone agrees—his co-host (and wife) Shannon, also an ornithologist, isn’t convinced it’s such an exciting choice. Their playful back-and-forth makes for some fun bird talk you won’t want to miss.

As newer birders, Amanda and RJ are curious to learn what sets the olive-sided flycatcher apart—its distinctive call, migratory habits, and the reasons birdwatchers look forward to spotting it. If you’re interested in birdwatching tips, ornithology insights, or just love hearing about fascinating bird species, this episode will give you a deeper appreciation for one of the most intriguing flycatchers.

Join us for expert knowledge, lively debate, and plenty of birding inspiration!

#OliveSidedFlycatcher #Birdwatching #BirdingPodcast #Ornithology #BirdsOfNorthAmerica #BirdingLife #BirdLovers #BirdTalk #BirdConservation #BirdNerds

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Welcome back to Birds of a Feather Talk Together! This week, the full crew—John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Pole—are back to highlight one of North America’s tiniest and most charming songbirds: the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

It’s Amanda’s pick this week, and she’s sharing why this lively little bird is one of her absolute favorites. If you’ve ever heard a high, buzzy call in the treetops before spotting the bird itself, chances are you’ve encountered a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. These energetic birds may be small, but they’re full of personality!

In this episode, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher—from its habitat and behaviors to how birders can identify it in the wild. Whether you’re an experienced birder or just getting started, you’ll love learning what makes this species such a joy to watch.

Tune in for bird facts, fun stories, and expert insights from the Birds of a Feather Talk Together crew.

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This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, it’s Shannon’s turn to pick the bird—and she’s chosen one of the wildest species on the planet: the club-winged manakin. If you’ve never heard of this bird, do yourself a favor right now—stop what you’re doing and google it. Trust us, you’ll be amazed.

The club-winged manakin doesn’t sing with its voice. Instead, it makes a bizarre, almost robot-like sound with its feathers—something no other bird on Earth can do. Scientists are still blown away by how this tiny bird pulls off such a unique performance in the rainforests of South America.

In this episode, Shannon, John, RJ, and Amanda break down everything you need to know about the club-winged manakin’s mind-blowing courtship display, the science behind feather-generated sound, and why this bird has become a favorite among ornithologists and bird lovers alike.

If you love strange, surprising, and unforgettable stories from the bird world, this episode is for you. Get ready to meet the club-winged manakin—the bird that sounds like a robot, but is 100% natural.

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In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we welcome back Jenna McCullough, a third-generation birdwatcher from Boise, Idaho, with a PhD in Biology from the University of New Mexico. Currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Kentucky and soon to begin a prestigious National Science Foundation fellowship at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and UCLA, Jenna has traveled the globe in search of one of the world’s most fascinating bird families—the kingfishers.

Join hosts Shannon Hackett, John Bates, RJ Pole, and Amanda Pole as they dive into stories of rare and colorful kingfisher sightings from around the world, birdwatching adventures in exotic locations, and the science behind these incredible birds. Whether you’re a passionate birder, a wildlife enthusiast, or just love hearing about nature and travel, this fun and engaging episode will inspire your next birding trip.

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In this fun and fan-fueled episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're diving into the mailbag to answer your burning bird questions! It's our usual hosts, married ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, and married birding enthusiasts RJ and Amanda Pole. 

First up: What’s the deal with all those birds hanging out in roadside water in Florida? Then we head north to Pennsylvania to talk about house sparrows, crows, and their neighborhood behavior.

Join us for a lively conversation full of curious observations, birdy insights, and a few laughs along the way. We love hearing from our listeners, and this episode is all about celebrating your questions and stories!

Send us more—we might just read yours on the next mailbag episode! 🐦📬

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In this week’s episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re thrilled to welcome ornithologist Jenna McCullough to the show for a deep dive into one of the most endangered birds on the planet: the Guam Kingfisher. Once extinct in the wild, this striking bird—known for its bold colors and elusive nature—has become a powerful symbol of conservation.

Jenna shares the incredible story of how scientists are working to bring the Guam Kingfisher back from the brink, the challenges of breeding and reintroducing birds in captivity, and why this species matters for the future of island ecosystems. It's a conversation full of hope, science, and passion for birdlife.

Hosted by married ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside amateur birding couple RJ and Amanda Pole, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about birds, biodiversity, and what it takes to save a species.

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This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, John is back from his unforgettable trip to Peru, and we’ve got plenty to talk about! From the incredible bird species he encountered to the vibrant landscapes, John shares highlights and stories from his adventure.

We also dive into one of the most distinctive birds of the region — the Inca Tern — famous for its striking mustache and bold personality.

It’s a fun and fact-filled conversation with plenty of laughs along the way. Hosted by ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, along with amateur birding couple RJ Pole and Amanda Pole — two married couples sharing their love of birds and great conversation.

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In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving deep into the world of kookaburras, the iconic laughing bird of Australia, with ornithologist Jenna McCullough. Jenna is a third-generation birdwatcher from Boise, Idaho, with a PhD in Biology from the University of New Mexico. She’s currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Kentucky and soon starting a prestigious National Science Foundation fellowship at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and UCLA.

Jenna joins hosts Shannon and John to discuss everything about kookaburras, from their distinctive laughing call to their role in the kingfisher family. We explore their behavior, habitat, and why these birds have become such beloved symbols of the Australian bush. Plus, learn about the new Kingfisher Exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago, where Jenna, Shannon, and John have all contributed their expertise.

If you’ve ever wondered why kookaburras laugh, where they live, or how they fit into the larger kingfisher family tree, this episode is for you. Subscribe now to Birds of a Feather Talk Together for more in-depth conversations about the fascinating world of birds!

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Get ready for the crossover event bird lovers can’t stop talking about! In this special episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we welcome the hilarious and musically gifted duo behind the Extremely Accurate Bird Songs Podcast—Tommy Siegel and Billy Libby.

Join hosts John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart as we:
🐦 Listen to unbelievably accurate (and funny) bird song performances
😂 Share nonstop laughs about birding and music
🎵 Discover how comedy and creativity bring bird sounds to life

Whether you’re a serious birder, a nature enthusiast, or just love great podcasts, this episode is packed with:
 ✅ Hilarious bird songs written and performed by Tommy and Billy
 ✅ Expert insights from leaders in bird science and entertainment
 ✅ Fun stories that celebrate the joy of birding

👉 Subscribe now and hit play to experience the most entertaining bird podcast collaboration ever!

#BirdPodcast #BirdSongs #TommySiegel #BillyLibby #BirdsOfAFeatherTalkTogether #FunnyBirdSongs #NaturePodcast #BirdingCommunity

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Jenna Mccullough is a third generation birdwatcher from Boise, ID. She got her bachelors at the university of Idaho (2015); got her masters (2018) and PhD (2024) at the university of New Mexico. She's a postdoc at the university of Kentucky and about to start a National Science foundation fellowship at the natural history museum of Los Angeles County and UCLA. 

Jenna joins us to talk all about Kingfishers. There is an exhibit starting up at the Field Museum that Shannon and John have been involved with, and Jenna has been involved as well. 

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