This week we talk about the house wren, but first we talk a little bit about the newest addition to the Field Museum: The Archaeopteryx. A fossil called Archaeopteryx, with feathers, hollow bones, clawed wings, fifty tiny teeth, and a long bony tail, is the earliest known dinosaur that also qualifies as a bird.

The Chicago Archaeopteryx has the most complete skull of any Archaeopteryx fossil in the world. 

We then talk about the House Wren - it's a super fun episode that you'll enjoy. House Wren are so amazing, it was so much fun to learn all about them. 

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We talk about a bird that was majorly affected by the parasitic brown-headed cowbird so much that it was on the endangered species list for nearly 50 years. One of the rarest songbirds in North America, the Kirtland’s Warbler migrates back and forth from the Bahamas to Michigan every year. We also learn that this bird was studied back in the 1920’s by Nathan Leopold, one half of the murdering crime pair Leopold and Loeb. 

Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart as we discuss the Kirtland's Warbler.

We kick it off talking  about the Whooping Crane that was spotted in the northern Chicago suburbs. We also answer a mailbag question on using fake calls when looking for birds. 

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Brown-headed cowbirds don't build nests - instead they sneak into other nests and lay their eggs and let other birds raise their young for them. Many consider them 'mafia' birds, as they will destroy another bird's nest if they aren't raising their young correctly. These parasitic birds will outgrow the other chicks in the nest, its kind of like a horror story! Hear all about these bizarre birds in this awesome episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together. John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart discuss the brown-headed cowbird. 

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In this electrifying episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re joined by none other than Wes Larson, the visionary behind Tooth and Claw, as he takes us on an unforgettable journey to Australia in search of one of the world's most elusive and fascinating birds—the Southern Cassowary. Known for its striking appearance and powerful presence, the Southern Cassowary is as mysterious as it is majestic. Wes shares his firsthand experience tracking this incredible bird in Australia and offers a glimpse into the wild world of conservation, birdwatching, and adventure.

Whether you're a seasoned birder or a wildlife enthusiast, this episode is packed with jaw-dropping insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and expert knowledge that will leave you inspired to embark on your own birdwatching adventures. Tune in for a fascinating conversation about what it’s like to witness one of nature’s true wonders up close, and learn why the Southern Cassowary is both a conservation success story and a reminder of the fragile beauty of our planet.

Don’t miss this exclusive interview with Wes Larson of Tooth and Claw—subscribe, listen, and join us in exploring the wild world of birds, one feathered friend at a time!

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Warbler season is officially here. We talk about the Blackpoll Warbler - the warbler with one of the longest and most impressive migration. 

Enjoy!

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Bald Eagles are amazing - everyone knows it. We touch on everything from Benjamin Franklin, to how DDT decimated their population and the significant comeback that they've made, to their aerial cartwheel performances.  It's a really fascinating episode, and we learn about the 'eagle suit' that Amanda's sister's dog wears so he doesn't get picked up by a bald eagle in his backyard. 

Special thanks to photographer Dustin Weidner for suggesting that we do a Bald Eagle episode. Check out his photography on his instagram @chicago.wildlife.photography

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This week's episode is a little different than usual. Instead of discussing one bird, we talk about RJ and Amanda's recent trip to Florida and all of the birds that they saw. RJ and Amanda ask John and Shannon about the Osprey, Brown Pelicans, Cormorants, Black Skimmers, American Oystercatchers, and many more. 

We also plead our case for the birds that have reached the Final Four in our Round Robin voting: The Shoebill, American Woodcock, Raven, and Atlantic Puffin. 

Enjoy!

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John and Shannon's son moved to Slovakia to play professional hockey - so we discuss a bird native to that area: The European Roller. These birds are super cool and so much fun to learn about. From their interesting leapfrogging migration pattern to Africa, to the self-defense method that many of their chicks use: vomiting. Make sure to google these birds because their color is absolutely magnificent. 

We also answer a mailbag question about bald eagles, and set up for a full episode that we'll do on bald eagles in a few weeks. 

We finish out the episode with the next round of our Round Robin tournament and vote on the third round of birds from our previous episodes. 

It's our regular hosts John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, Amanda Marquart, and we're also joined by Louise Bodt again this week. 

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This week we talk about one of Shannon’s favorite birds: The Brown Creeper. The way these tiny little birds climb all over trees, and look like a piece of bark, is truly amazing, and adorable. 

We also answer a mailbag question about evolution, and when animals learned how to fly. 

We finish out the episode with the next round of our Round Robin tournament and vote on the second round of birds from our previous episodes. 

It's our regular hosts John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, Amanda Marquart, and we're also joined by Louise Bodt again this week. 

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This week we talk to Louise Bodt about the European Starlings. Louise Bodt is a PhD candidate at the University of Chicago and the Field Museum using introduced birds to study rapid evolutionary change. Prior to joining the Field Museum birds lab, she worked as a science educator in NYC where she got her MS in biology investigating genetics of invasive European starlings. 

We also kick off our Round Robin Tournament and vote on our first round. It's a lot of fun and we were laughing the whole time. We want our listeners to vote as well, we'll post info on our Instagram. 

Enjoy!

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