Why do Brown-headed Cowbirds lay their eggs in other birds' nests—and why don't they raise their own babies?

In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're diving into one of the strangest reproductive strategies in the bird world: brood parasitism.

Brown-headed Cowbirds don't build nests or raise their own young. Instead, female cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species, leaving those birds to incubate the eggs, feed the chicks, and raise the young cowbirds—sometimes even when the cowbird chick becomes much larger than its foster parents.

Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explain how Brown-headed Cowbird brood parasitism works, why this unusual behavior evolved, how cowbirds find other birds' nests, and what happens after a cowbird egg appears.

Why do cowbirds lay eggs in other birds' nests? Do Brown-headed Cowbirds ever build nests? How do they choose which nests to parasitize? Can other birds recognize a cowbird egg? What happens to the host bird's own chicks? And why did cowbirds evolve this remarkable strategy in the first place?

We also explore why Brown-headed Cowbirds are sometimes viewed negatively by birders, how their natural history helped shape their unusual parenting strategy, and why looking at the behavior through the lens of evolution tells a much more interesting story.

Whether you've discovered a strange egg in a backyard nest, seen a tiny songbird feeding an enormous cowbird chick, or simply want to understand one of the most fascinating reproductive strategies in nature, 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 of birds.

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This week we’re excited to welcome two special guests—Olivia Sanderfoot and Allison Shultz—to talk about Project Phoenix. 

This important project is exploring how wildfire smoke impacts birds on the West Coast, and what that means for their survival in a rapidly warming world. 

Understanding these effects is critical for shaping conservation strategies, and we can’t wait to learn more from Olivia and Allison in this conversation. 

It’s a truly fascinating discussion, and they were so great to talk to and are amazing advocates for this cause. I think you’re going to walk away with a lot from this one. 

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Everyone loves woodpeckers, and the Red-headed Woodpecker is one of the coolest! Listen to what makes this bird unique, like hiding grasshoppers in trees to eat later (while they are still alive.) RJ also tells some paddleboarding mishaps, and talks about some molting mallards that he saw recently. Join RJ, Amanda, John, and Shannon this week to talk about the Red-headed Woodpecker! 

Here are some of the links to cat resources which we talked about in our mailbag section: 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/killer-cats-bash-biodiversity/

https://pjvogt.substack.com/p/whatre-we-gonna-do-about-all-these

https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Wars-Devastating-Consequences-Cuddly/dp/0691167419

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrfXmyuzBAw

https://abcbirds.org/program/cats-indoors/cats-and-birds/

https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/are-outdoor-cats-happier

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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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This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, the full crew—Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett alongside RJ and Amanda Pole—dives into the fascinating world of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, one of North America’s smallest and most energetic songbirds.

This week’s bird pick comes from Amanda, who shares why the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is one of her absolute favorite birds. Known for their high buzzy calls, constant movement, long tails, and curious personalities, these tiny birds are often heard before they’re ever spotted in the treetops.

In this episode, we explore Blue-gray Gnatcatcher behavior, habitat, migration, bird identification, nesting habits, and why these active little insect-eaters are such a favorite among birders and birdwatchers. We also discuss where to find them, how to recognize their calls, and what makes them stand out despite their tiny size.

If you love birding, birdwatching, backyard birds, songbirds, bird calls, bird behavior, ornithology, wildlife science, 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, 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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This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we open up the mailbag and answer listener bird questions from across North America.

Why are so many birds gathering in roadside water in Florida? What’s going on with house sparrows and crows interacting in suburban Pennsylvania neighborhoods? In this fun and wide-ranging birding episode, we tackle real bird behavior questions submitted by listeners and break down the science, ecology, and fascinating habits behind these everyday bird encounters.

Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole for a lively conversation full of bird facts, bird behavior, backyard birding insights, migration discussion, and a few laughs along the way.

From wetland birds and urban bird behavior to crows, house sparrows, and why birds choose certain habitats, this episode highlights the kinds of questions birdwatchers and nature lovers notice every day.

If you love birding, birdwatching, backyard birds, bird identification, bird behavior, ornithology, wildlife science, 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’re joined by ornithologist Jenna McCullough for a fascinating conversation about one of the rarest and most endangered birds in the world: the Guam Kingfisher.

Once extinct in the wild, the Guam Kingfisher has become a powerful symbol of bird conservation, captive breeding, and the fight to restore endangered species back to their native habitats. Jenna shares the incredible story of how scientists, conservationists, and zoos are working to save this striking island bird and what it takes to bring a species back from the brink of extinction.

Together with Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside RJ and Amanda Pole, we discuss Guam Kingfisher behavior, island ecology, endangered birds, conservation biology, captive breeding programs, and the challenges of reintroducing birds into fragile ecosystems.

We also explore why island species are especially vulnerable to extinction, how introduced predators affected birds on Guam, and why the survival of the Guam Kingfisher matters far beyond a single species.

If you love birding, birdwatching, kingfishers, endangered species, wildlife conservation, ornithology, island birds, biodiversity, and inspiring conservation stories, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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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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