This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re joined by Marcel, a listener whose heartfelt letter deeply moved all of us—and whose story shows just how powerful a connection to nature and birds can be.

After going from being a world-class athlete to navigating the challenges of a severe brain injury, Marcel found healing, peace, and meaning through birding and spending time in nature. In this emotional and inspiring conversation, we discuss how birdwatching helped support his mental health and recovery, and why birds can have such a profound impact on people during difficult moments in life.

Along the way, we also dive into some fascinating bird topics, including Belted Kingfishers, Cedar Waxwings getting “drunk” on fermented berries, bird behavior, and the joy of paying attention to the wildlife around us every day.

Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole for one of the most personal and meaningful conversations we’ve had on the show—blending bird science, storytelling, mental health, wildlife, and human connection.

If you love birding, birdwatching, nature stories, mental health conversations, bird behavior, wildlife science, ornithology, and inspiring stories about healing through nature, 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 legendary birder Peter Kaestner—the first person in history to see more than 10,000 bird species in the wild.

A lifelong birder and former diplomat, Peter shares incredible stories from decades of birdwatching across the globe, including birding adventures in remote regions, discovering a new bird species, and traveling through Colombia during the height of Pablo Escobar’s influence. His career in diplomacy gave him access to some of the most extraordinary birding experiences imaginable, and this conversation is packed with unforgettable stories, bird science, humor, and insight.

Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explore global birding, rare birds, bird identification, international bird travel, ornithology, and what it takes to become one of the greatest birders in history.

Peter’s passion, curiosity, humility, and storytelling made this one of our favorite conversations we’ve ever recorded—and honestly, none of us wanted it to end.

If you love birding, birdwatching, world birding, rare birds, wildlife travel, ornithology, bird behavior, conservation, and fascinating bird stories from around the world, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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We’ve got a fun one for you this week as we get ready for a very special guest: Peter Kaestner—the first person to see 10,000 bird species in the wild. We speak to him next week. To prep for that epic conversation, we're taking a closer look at the bird that earned him that milestone: the Orange-tufted Spiderhunter. Spoiler alert—Amanda was not impressed by it at first, and John and Shannon do their best to change her mind. Along the way, we get into species counts, what they mean, and how birders keep track. We also answer a mailbag question on Rusty Blackbirds and Common Grackles. 

As always, you’ve got married ornithologists and Field Museum curators John Bates and Shannon Hackett, plus RJ Pole and Amanda Marquart.

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This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we explore one of North America’s most beloved backyard birds: the Black-capped Chickadee.

Known for their cheerful “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” calls, fearless personalities, and incredible intelligence, Black-capped Chickadees are far more fascinating than most people realize. In this episode, we dive into chickadee behavior, bird communication, memory, winter survival strategies, and how these tiny songbirds manage to thrive in harsh cold-weather environments.

Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to discuss Black-capped Chickadee habitat, bird identification, food-caching behavior, flock dynamics, and why chickadees are such favorites among birders, backyard birdwatchers, and nature lovers alike.

We also answer a listener question about writer Ellen Meloy and her connection to nature writing, birds, and the natural world.

If you love birding, birdwatching, backyard birds, bird songs and calls, bird behavior, ornithology, wildlife science, and fascinating bird facts, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Learn about the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the most common hummingbird in eastern North America, and how it achieves incredible flight, speed, and long-distance migration. This birding and birdwatching podcast explores hummingbird behavior, migration, and backyard feeding tips for beginners and experts alike. In this episode of Birds of a Feather Podcast, we revisit one of our favorite past episodes all about the ruby-throated hummingbird—a truly fascinating and fast-flying species known for its shimmering feathers and incredible migration. Join hosts John Bates and Shannon Hackett, along with RJ Pole and Amanda Marquart, as we dive back into the world of this unique hummingbird and explore what makes it such a standout in the bird world.

We also answer a listener mailbag question about mallard ducks, covering interesting facts and behaviors about one of the most familiar waterfowl in North America.

Whether you're a birdwatching beginner or an experienced birder, this episode is packed with fun facts and engaging bird talk.

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This week, we're revisiting a listener favorite all about Blackpoll Warblers—tiny birds with an absolutely epic migration. Whether you're new to warblers or already a seasoned birder, this episode is packed with fascinating facts and fresh insights.

John and Shannon dive into what makes the Blackpoll Warbler’s journey so mind-blowing, and John gives us a broader look at warblers in general—including the time he spotted over 20 species in a single day!

It’s a fun, informative episode that’s sure to spark your curiosity and deepen your appreciation for these remarkable birds.

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This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we dive into the weird and fascinating world of the Great Potoo—one of the most mysterious and unusual nocturnal birds on Earth.

Known for their enormous haunting eyes, incredible camouflage, eerie vocalizations, and almost mythical appearance, Great Potoos are among the strangest birds in the natural world. We explore how these nighttime predators survive in tropical forests, why their calls sound so haunting, and what makes them such a favorite among birders, ornithologists, and wildlife lovers alike.

We also answer a classic bird question: why are robin eggs blue? From egg pigmentation and bird evolution to nesting behavior and camouflage, we break down the science behind one of the most recognizable eggs in North America.

Plus, we spotlight the stunning Prothonotary Warbler, a brilliant yellow songbird known for its swampy habitats, unique nesting behavior, and striking appearance during migration season.

Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole for a fun conversation full of bird behavior, bird calls, bird identification, ornithology, wildlife science, and fascinating bird facts.

If you love birding, birdwatching, nocturnal birds, tropical birds, warblers, bird behavior, strange animals, and nature podcasts, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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In this nature-packed episode, we dive into the fascinating world of Wood Ducks—one of the most beautiful and iconic duck species in North America. Learn about their striking plumage, unique nesting habits, and the incredible moment when day-old ducklings leap from tree cavities to join their mother on the ground.

We also share a recent encounter with a Barred Owl family, and answer a listener’s mailbag question about owl chicks spotted at Walt Disney World.

Hosted by married ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett from the Field Museum, along with RJ and his fiancée Amanda, this episode blends expert knowledge, personal wildlife experiences, and listener Q&A in a fun, informative format.

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

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In this timely and urgent episode, we explore the devastating impact of recent budget cuts and defunding of the National Science Foundation (NSF) on the U.S. scientific community. Originally planning to discuss Wood Ducks, our conversation quickly shifted to the broader crisis facing science in America today.

Join married ornithologists John and Shannon as they share firsthand insights into how these funding cuts are affecting scientific research, biodiversity studies, and the future of environmental conservation. With Shannon also bringing a Canadian perspective, the discussion highlights both domestic and international implications of these policy decisions.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone passionate about science, environmental policy, and the future of research in North America. Be sure to subscribe and stay tuned for our upcoming episode focused specifically on Wood Ducks.

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This week we are talking about one of the coolest birds in North America: The American Dipper. This is a smaller nondescript bird that has learned and adapted how find food in some of the roughest river water imaginable. It can fly through waterfalls, withstand rushing currents, and to the eye just looks like a little gray songbird. John and Shannon both have a ton of experience with them, so it’s a lot of fun to hear about these amazing birds. 

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. 

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!!

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