This week, we’re diving into one of the strangest and most unforgettable birds in the world: the Calfbird. Found in the forests of northern South America, this bizarre species is famous for its bald head, striking blue skin, and an otherworldly call that sounds like a chainsaw. Even wilder? The Calfbird produces that sound using a mechanism similar to how a bullfrog vocalizes—making it a true standout in avian biology and animal sound production.

Join married ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, along with bird-loving co-hosts RJ Pole and Amanda Pole, as we explore Calfbird behavior, vocalizations, habitat, and why this species continues to fascinate scientists and birders alike.

We also answer a listener question about Snowy Owls, adding even more birdwatching insight to the episode.

Whether you’re a seasoned birder, a science enthusiast, or just love learning about weird and wonderful wildlife, this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together is packed with memorable bird facts, expert knowledge, and plenty of fun along the way.

🎧 Listen now and discover why the Calfbird might just be one of the most bizarre birds you’ve never heard of—until now.

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Can Cedar Waxwings really get drunk from eating fermented berries?

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're diving into one of North America's most beautiful—and unusual—birds: the Cedar Waxwing.

Known for their silky plumage, black masks, yellow-tipped tails, and mysterious red waxy tips on their wings, Cedar Waxwings are unlike almost any other backyard bird. They're also incredible fruit eaters, sometimes consuming huge quantities of berries—including fruit that has begun to ferment.

Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explore Cedar Waxwing behavior, diet, migration, identification, flocking, and the science behind those strange waxy red wing tips.

We also get into one of the most fascinating questions about these birds: Can Cedar Waxwings actually become intoxicated from fermented berries? Why do waxwings eat so much fruit? What are the red tips on their wings? Why do Cedar Waxwings travel in large flocks? And how can you tell a Cedar Waxwing from a Bohemian Waxwing?

Cedar Waxwings can suddenly appear by the dozens when they find a fruiting tree and disappear just as quickly, making them an exciting bird to encounter. Their unusual diet, social behavior, striking appearance, and nomadic movements make them one of the most fascinating birds found across North America.

Whether you've spotted a flock devouring berries in your backyard, are trying to identify your first Cedar Waxwing, or simply want to know whether birds can really get drunk, this episode is for you.

Birds of a Feather Talk Together combines the expertise of Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett with the curiosity of birders RJ and Amanda Pole to explore bird behavior, evolution, conservation, and the incredible science behind the birds around us.

Whether you’re a beginner birder, backyard birdwatcher, or lifelong ornithology enthusiast, this episode offers expert insights, fun facts, and field-ready tips to help you spot and understand the stunning Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum).

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Welcome to the first new episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together in 2026!

After wrapping up our duck series, we're kicking off the new year by looking back at some of the biggest science stories of 2025 and sharing what we're most excited to follow in 2026. Each of us brings a favorite scientific discovery, breakthrough, or research story to the table, leading to a wide-ranging conversation about birds, technology, conservation, and the future of science.

Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to discuss everything from juncos and bird research to robotics, emerging scientific tools, and how technology is changing the way scientists study wildlife and understand the natural world.

A major part of this episode is Shannon's candid update on her cochlear implant journey. She shares how cochlear implant technology has transformed her experience of sound, the challenges and successes of hearing restoration, and how the experience has affected both her personal life and her work as an ornithologist. We discuss hearing loss, hearing accessibility, cochlear implants, audiology, sound perception, and the importance of making science and birding more accessible to everyone.

Whether you're interested in birding, wildlife science, hearing technology, cochlear implants, accessibility, conservation, ornithology, or the biggest science stories of the year, this episode offers a unique mix of personal storytelling, scientific discovery, and optimism about the future.

If you love birdwatching, science podcasts, bird behavior, hearing restoration technology, accessibility in science, wildlife research, and fascinating conversations about the natural world, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we revisit one of our favorite episodes: the incredible Wood Duck.

Known for its stunning colors, unique nesting behavior, and one of the greatest conservation comeback stories in North America, the Wood Duck is one of the most recognizable and fascinating ducks in birding. From their iridescent plumage to their unusual habit of nesting in tree cavities, these birds are full of surprises.

In this episode, Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explore Wood Duck behavior, habitat, migration, duck identification, and the conservation efforts that helped bring this species back from dramatic population declines in the early 1900s.

We also discuss why Wood Ducks are considered one of the most colorful ducks in North America, how duck boxes helped support their recovery, and what makes them such a favorite among birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, and nature lovers alike.

If you love birding, birdwatching, ducks, wetland wildlife, bird conservation, ornithology, backyard birds, and fascinating bird facts, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we revisit one of our all-time favorite duck episodes featuring the incredible Harlequin Duck—one of the most striking and resilient waterfowl in North America.

Known for their bold plumage, fast-flowing mountain stream nesting sites, and rugged coastal winter habitats, Harlequin Ducks are among the most fascinating ducks in birding. These adventurous birds thrive in extreme environments, from icy rivers and waterfalls to crashing ocean waves along rocky shorelines.

In this episode, Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explore Harlequin Duck behavior, migration, habitat, duck identification, and the remarkable adaptations that allow these birds to survive in some of the harshest environments in the natural world.

We also discuss why Harlequin Ducks are such a favorite among birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, and ornithologists, and what makes them one of the most unique and visually stunning ducks in North America.

Whether you’re an experienced birder or just discovering birdwatching, this episode is full of fascinating bird facts, wildlife science, conservation, and a deep appreciation for one of nature’s most adventurous ducks.

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This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we dive into one of the most recognizable and widespread birds in North America: the Mallard Duck.

Before jumping into our duck deep dive, John breaks down the history and importance of the Christmas Bird Count—one of the longest-running citizen science projects in the world and a major part of bird conservation and bird population research.

We then explore what makes Mallards so successful and adaptable, from their seasonal plumage changes and iridescent blue speculum feathers to their behavior, migration, habitat, and how they differ from other duck species. Whether you’ve seen them at local ponds, wetlands, parks, or rivers, Mallards are far more fascinating than many people realize.

In this episode, Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ Pole and Amanda Marquart to discuss Mallard identification, duck behavior, bird migration, waterfowl ecology, and the science behind one of the world’s most familiar ducks.

If you love birding, birdwatching, ducks, waterfowl, bird identification, backyard birds, wildlife science, conservation, and fascinating bird facts, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we kick off the year with a hilarious and fun-filled conversation about LISTERS—our favorite birding movie of the year.

If you love birding, birdwatching, birders, and the wonderfully obsessive world of listing bird species, this documentary is an absolute must-watch. We laughed through almost the entire episode while discussing the film, the personalities in it, and why birders everywhere will immediately relate to the passion, competitiveness, humor, and chaos that comes with chasing birds around the world.

Even better, LISTERS is free to watch on YouTube, making it the perfect companion for this episode.

Alongside our movie review, we also answer listener mailbag questions covering unforgettable birding stories, wildlife encounters, bird behavior, and one particularly intense conversation involving Shannon and a bot fly encounter you won’t forget anytime soon.

Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole for a lively discussion full of bird science, birding culture, nature stories, conservation, humor, and fascinating insights into the world of birdwatching.

If you love birding, birdwatching documentaries, wildlife films, bird lists, ornithology, nature podcasts, bird behavior, and entertaining bird stories, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Why do Snowy Owls sometimes suddenly appear hundreds of miles south of the Arctic?

In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're exploring one of the most spectacular birds in the world: the Snowy Owl.

These enormous white owls normally inhabit the Arctic, but during certain winters they appear much farther south across Canada and the United States—a phenomenon known as an irruption.

Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explore Snowy Owl migration, irruptions, hunting, diet, plumage, behavior, and their fascinating relationship with Arctic prey such as lemmings.

Why do Snowy Owls come south? What causes a Snowy Owl irruption? Do Snowy Owls migrate every year? What do they eat? Why are some Snowy Owls whiter than others? And where should you look if Snowy Owls appear in your area?

We also discuss Snowy Owl sightings around Chicago and what brings these Arctic predators into landscapes that look very different from their usual northern habitat.

Snowy Owls are among the most sought-after birds for birdwatchers, but seeing one comes with an important responsibility. We discuss how to enjoy and observe these incredible birds without disturbing them.

Whether you're hoping to see your first Snowy Owl or simply fascinated by how an Arctic predator can suddenly show up hundreds of miles from home, this episode explores the remarkable science behind these unforgettable birds.

We also answer a listener question about a Loon that was recently seen in the Chicago area. 

Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Pole!

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Learn how to identify the White-throated Sparrow by its song, behavior, and movement patterns, and discover why this common bird has two distinct morphs with different personalities. This birding and birdwatching podcast explores sparrow identification, bird behavior, and fascinating new research for beginners and experts alike. In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we revisit one of our favorite deep dives on the White-throated Sparrow, a fascinating and familiar North American bird. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Pole as we explore what makes this species so unique—and why sparrows are often tricky to identify.

We discuss sparrow identification, focusing on how behavior, song, and movement patterns can be just as important as plumage when telling species apart. The conversation also dives into compelling research showing how White-throated Sparrows have been shrinking in body size over the past 50 years, and how long-term museum specimen collections at the Field Museum have made this discovery possible.

You’ll also learn about the White-throated Sparrow’s two distinct head color morphs (tan-striped and white-striped), how these morphs influence mating preferences and behavior, and why this species is such a classic example in behavioral ecology.

Plus, we wrap things up by answering a mailbag question from a listener in the U.K.—all about vultures, their behavior, and why they play such an important ecological role.

Grab your binoculars and join us for this science-packed, bird-loving conversation! 🐦

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Why are flamingos pink? And why do they spend so much time standing on one leg?

Ellen Weatherford, co-host of the animal podcast Just the Zoo of Us, joins Birds of a Feather Talk Together for a deep dive into one of the strangest and most recognizable birds on Earth: flamingos.

Together with Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett and birders RJ and Amanda Pole, Ellen explores the incredible biology, behavior, diet, coloration, and evolution of flamingos.

We get into some of the questions almost everyone has wondered about these bizarre birds. Are flamingos born pink? What makes their feathers turn pink? Why do flamingos stand on one leg? What do flamingos eat? Can flamingos fly? And how do those unusual bills actually work?

Flamingos may be famous for their bright pink feathers, but once you look more closely at their anatomy and behavior, they become even stranger.

Ellen brings the curiosity, humor, and love of animals that listeners know from Just the Zoo of Us as we explore the science behind one of the world's most iconic birds.

Whether you're a birder, a Just the Zoo of Us listener, an animal lover, or someone who has simply wondered why flamingos look the way they do, this episode is for you.

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