This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re joined by birder Ryan Shostack to talk about the incredible Black-backed Woodpecker—and how birding can be more inclusive for everyone.

The Black-backed Woodpecker is a fascinating species known for its unique relationship with burned forests, and Ryan shares his firsthand experiences seeing this bird multiple times in the wild. We explore its behavior, habitat, and why it’s such a special find for birders.

Ryan also opens up about his experience birding on the autism spectrum (including Asperger’s), and what birding means to him. It leads to a thoughtful and honest conversation about accessibility, inclusion, and how the birding community can better support people of all backgrounds and abilities.

With Shannon’s own experience with hearing loss, this is a topic we’ve been wanting to explore for a while—and this conversation really delivers. We also go on a few fun tangents (including wolves), making this a wide-ranging and meaningful episode.

As always, it’s Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside RJ and Amanda learning right along with you.

If you’re interested in birding, bird behavior, inclusion in nature, or just love great conversations about the outdoors—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:

YouTube 

Instagram

TikTok

BlueSky

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving into stories about two fascinating (and very different) blackbirds: the Rusty Blackbird and the Brown-headed Cowbird.

The Rusty Blackbird is one of the fastest-declining bird species in North America, and we explore what makes this bird so unique, and RJ and Amanda's recent sighting of them. Then we shift to the Brown-headed Cowbird, one of the most controversial birds in birding, known for its unusual nesting behavior and brood parasitism.

We also reveal the Final Four results of our Bird Championship tournament. Plus, we officially announce our Bird of the Year, and break down how it all played out.

And in a really fun behind-the-scenes moment, we hear about the Listers filmmakers, the Reiser brothers, visiting John and Shannon at the Field Museum.

As always, it’s married ornithologists and Field Museum curators John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside RJ and Amanda learning right along with you.

Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:

YouTube 

Instagram

TikTok

BlueSky

Can a bird actually use bait to catch a fish?

Green Herons can—and it's one of the most remarkable examples of tool-like behavior in the bird world.

In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explore Green Heron hunting, tool use, intelligence, nesting, diet, habitat, and behavior.

Green Herons have been observed dropping insects, feathers, pieces of bread, and other objects onto the surface of the water to attract fish within striking distance. When a fish approaches, the heron attacks.

So are Green Herons actually using tools? How do Green Herons catch fish? What do Green Herons eat? Where do they nest? Why do they sometimes look like they barely have a neck? And just how intelligent are herons?

RJ and Amanda also share a special encounter with a Green Heron nest and young herons, leading to a conversation about nesting behavior and what it's like to observe these secretive wetland birds up close.

From patiently stalking prey along the water's edge to seemingly using bait to lure fish, the Green Heron challenges the idea that sophisticated problem-solving is limited to only a handful of animals.

If you're interested in bird intelligence, animal tool use, herons, or simply bizarre animal behavior, this is one of our favorite examples of just how surprising birds can be.

Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:

YouTube 

Instagram

TikTok

BlueSky

Learn about Long-Eared Owls, one of the most fascinating owl species in birding, and why they gather in massive communal roosts. This birdwatching podcast breaks down owl behavior, migration, and ecology for beginners and experts alike. This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving into one of the most mysterious and underrated owls out there—the Long-eared Owl. Known for its secretive behavior and incredible camouflage, this owl is a true master of staying hidden… until you know where to look.

John brings an amazing story from Serbia, where hundreds of Long-eared Owls gather to roost together in one place—an absolutely mind-blowing sight for birders and nature lovers alike. If you’ve ever wondered where to find owls or how they behave in the wild, this episode is packed with fascinating insights.

We’re also continuing our March Madness-style Round Robin Bird Tournament, featuring votes and hilarious commentary from Nick Mason’s LSU students, along with our own picks. Who’s advancing? Who’s getting knocked out? You’ll have to listen to find out.

As always, the show is hosted by married Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside bird enthusiasts RJ and Amanda Pole, blending expert knowledge with beginner curiosity to make birding fun and accessible for everyone.

If you love owls, birdwatching, ornithology, wildlife behavior, and fun science-driven conversations, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen now and discover why the Long-eared Owl might become your new favorite bird.

Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:

YouTube 

Instagram

TikTok

BlueSky

A rare Spectacled Eider showed up far outside its Arctic range—and birders took notice. Learn about eiders, migration patterns, and rare bird sightings in this birding podcast episode. A rare Spectacled Eider sighting in the Netherlands—far outside its normal Arctic range—sparked this week’s episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together.

In this episode, we explore all four living species of eiders—from the iconic Common Eider to the stunning King and Spectacled Eiders. Along the way, we break down what makes these Arctic ducks so unique, from their extreme cold-weather adaptations to their fascinating breeding behavior.

We’re also kicking off our March Madness-style bird bracket tournament, and we have a special surprise in our bracket challenge!

If you love birding, rare bird sightings, ornithology, and fun, science-driven conversations, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

As always it's married couple and ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett and new-ish birders RJ and Amanda Pole. 

Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:

YouTube 

Instagram

TikTok

BlueSky

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re joined by Dr. Nick Mason, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and Curator of Birds at the Museum of Natural Science at LSU, for an in-depth and engaging conversation all about the fascinating Horned Lark.

Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on Horned Larks, Nick brings incredible insight into this unique grassland bird—from its behavior and evolution to what makes it so special among North American birds. With strong ties to hosts John Bates and Shannon Hackett through LSU, this episode is filled with great stories, shared history, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Perfect timing, too—the Horned Lark has just been named the ABA Bird of the Year, making this a must-listen for birders and nature lovers alike.

If you’re into birding, ornithology, migration, and bird conservation, this episode dives deep into one of the most overlooked yet remarkable birds in North America.

Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:

YouTube 

Instagram

TikTok

BlueSky

Can birdwatching actually improve brain health or slow aging? We explore the science, what research says, and how observing birds may benefit cognition and mental wellness. We came across a recent article suggesting that birdwatching might actually help slow the aging process, and naturally we had to dig into it. As it turns out, tracking down the original scientific paper isn’t exactly easy, which led us into a fun exploration of what the research actually says—and what it might mean.

Along the way, the conversation took a really personal turn as Shannon shared her experience with her cochlear implant and what it’s been like to relearn how to hear the world again—from identifying bird calls to rediscovering music like the Talking Heads. 

It sparked a fascinating discussion about how our brains process sound, observation, and learning—something that birding constantly challenges us to do.

So this episode is a mix of science, personal stories, and a lot of curiosity about how birding shapes the way our brains work. It’s thoughtful, a little nerdy, and still very much the kind of conversation our bird-loving crowd will enjoy.

Hosted by Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett and birding enthusiasts RJ Pole and Amanda Pole. 

Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:

YouTube 

Instagram

TikTok

BlueSky

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving into the subtle but fascinating world of the Eastern Wood-Pewee—one of North America’s most recognizable (yet often overlooked) flycatchers. Known for its iconic “pee-a-wee” call echoing through eastern forests, the Eastern Wood-Pewee is a bird that many people hear long before they ever see.

With the pewee fresh on their minds, Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda to explore what makes this bird so unique—from its distinctive song and migration patterns to how scientists identify it among other similar flycatchers.

John and Shannon are also heading over to the wildly entertaining Extremely Accurate Bird Songs podcast, where hosts Tommy Siegel and Billy Libby celebrate birds through music and comedy. The duo even wrote an entire song about the Eastern Wood-Pewee, and recently performed their signature bird rock at the San Diego Bird Festival—so make sure to follow their show and listen for the upcoming pewee track!

Link to Extremely Accurate Bird Songs Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/extremely-accurate-bird-songs-the-podcast/id1809194651

Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:

YouTube 

Instagram

TikTok

BlueSky

Learn about the Black-billed Magpie, one of the most intelligent birds in North America, and how its behavior, social structure, and problem-solving abilities make it stand out among corvids. This birding and birdwatching podcast explores magpie behavior, habitat, and intelligence for beginners and experts alike. In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving deep into the remarkable world of the Black-billed Magpie—one of North America’s most intelligent and visually striking birds.

Hosts RJ Pole and Amanda Pole share firsthand stories from their time living in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where encounters with Black-billed Magpies were part of everyday life. Known for their bold personalities, problem-solving skills, and dazzling black-and-white plumage with iridescent blue-green feathers, these birds are anything but ordinary.

Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett join the conversation to break down what makes Black-billed Magpies so fascinating—from their advanced intelligence and social behavior to how they thrive across western landscapes. Whether you’re a dedicated birder or just curious about wildlife, this episode offers expert insights and engaging storytelling you won’t want to miss.

Plus, we answer a fun listener question in our Q&A segment: wombat poop vs. bird poop—yes, we really go there.

Have a question you’d like us to answer on a future episode? Send it our way at [email protected]
and you might hear it on the show!

Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:

YouTube 

Instagram

TikTok

BlueSky

Acorn Woodpeckers have one of the strangest behaviors in birding—storing thousands of acorns in trees. Learn how this impacts survival, social structure, and evolution. This week, we’re diving into one of North America’s most unforgettable birds: the Acorn Woodpecker.

After spotting Acorn Woodpeckers near the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, RJ couldn’t stop thinking about these bold, clown-faced birds—and for good reason. Known for their incredible food-storage behavior, some Acorn Woodpeckers have been documented hoarding hundreds of pounds of acorns, drilling thousands of perfectly spaced holes into trees, utility poles, and even the sides of people’s homes. It’s one of the most extreme examples of avian teamwork and planning in the bird world.

Joining the conversation as always are Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside birding enthusiasts RJ Pole and Amanda Pole, bringing both expert insight and curious questions to the table. Together, we explore Acorn Woodpecker behavior, social structure, intelligence, and what makes this species such a standout among North American woodpeckers.

Along the way, there’s also a little Midwest sports banter—including the surprising realization that the Indiana Hoosiers might actually have a real football team this year.

If you love woodpeckers, bird behavior, ornithology stories, or just enjoy fun, science-driven conversations about nature, this episode is for you. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or brand new to birdwatching, this Acorn Woodpecker deep dive is equal parts educational and entertaining.

Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:

YouTube 

Instagram

TikTok

BlueSky