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The California Condor is one of the rarest birds in North America, and its remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction is one of the greatest wildlife conservation stories ever told. In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're revisiting our fascinating conversation with zoologist Christian Flores about the California Condor, the largest land bird in North America. With a wingspan approaching 10 feet, these incredible birds once soared across vast stretches of the continent before habitat loss, lead poisoning, and other human-caused threats pushed them to the edge of extinction. By 1987, less than 30 California Condors remained in the world, prompting an extraordinary conservation effort to capture the remaining wild birds and establish a captive breeding program. Christian joins us to explore the difficult decisions that saved the species, the challenges of reintroducing condors into the wild, and the ongoing efforts to protect their future. We also dive into the fascinating world of vultures and scavengers, exploring their essential role in healthy ecosystems, their unique adaptations, and why these often misunderstood birds deserve our admiration. Join hosts Dr. John Bates and Dr. Shannon Hackett, ornithologists at Chicago's Field Museum, alongside RJ Pole and Amanda Pole, for an engaging conversation about bird conservation, endangered species, evolution, and the incredible resilience of the California Condor. Whether you're an experienced birder, a backyard birdwatcher, or simply curious about wildlife and nature, this episode offers an inspiring look at what it takes to bring a species back from the brink. Birds of a Feather Talk Together is a birding and ornithology podcast exploring the fascinating world of birds through expert insights, scientific discoveries, conservation stories, and lively conversations. Subscribe for more episodes about birds, birdwatching, wildlife conservation, and the natural world. 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 exploring the Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)—a striking black-and-white shorebird with a bright orange-red bill found across Europe, including the coasts of Northern Ireland. There’s a family connection behind this week’s bird choice: John and Shannon’s son recently moved to Northern Ireland, so Shannon wanted to feature a bird he might actually encounter there. The Eurasian Oystercatcher turned out to be the perfect choice. We dive into the fascinating biology, behavior, diet, habitat, and adaptations of the Eurasian Oystercatcher, including some of the traits that set it apart from other oystercatcher species. We also compare oystercatchers from around the world, including the American Oystercatcher, and explore how different species have adapted to their environments. Along the way, Dr. John Bates and Dr. Shannon Hackett of Chicago’s Field Museum share their ornithological expertise, while RJ and Amanda ask the questions that send the conversation in unexpected directions. This episode was recorded in person as we experimented with a new four-microphone setup ahead of our live recording at the Chicago Urban Birding Festival, so you may notice that it sounds a little different from a typical episode. But having all four hosts sitting around the same table made for a fun, conversational discussion about one of Europe’s most recognizable shorebirds. If you’re interested in Eurasian Oystercatchers, shorebirds, bird behavior, bird evolution, European birds, birding in Northern Ireland, or the differences between Eurasian and American Oystercatchers, this episode is for you. Birds of a Feather Talk Together is a birding and ornithology podcast featuring Field Museum scientists Dr. John Bates and Dr. Shannon Hackett alongside bird enthusiasts RJ Pole and Amanda Pole. Each episode explores the science, behavior, evolution, conservation, and stories behind birds from around the world. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky

For the first time ever, Birds of a Feather Talk Together is recording in front of a live audience! We had an incredible time at the Chicago Urban Birding Festival, a celebration of birds, birding, conservation, and the amazing wildlife that can be found right here in the city. Dr. John Bates and Dr. Shannon Hackett of the Field Museum join RJ and Amanda for a special live episode filled with bird stories, science, laughs, and questions from the audience. One of our favorite things about Birds of a Feather is the community that has grown around the podcast, so getting to sit in a room full of people who love birds as much as we do was pretty special. Whether you're an experienced birder, a backyard birdwatcher, or just beginning to discover the world of birds, come hang out with us for our first-ever live recording! Birds of a Feather Talk Together is a birding and birdwatching podcast featuring Field Museum ornithologists Dr. John Bates and Dr. Shannon Hackett alongside birders RJ and Amanda. Each episode explores bird behavior, evolution, migration, conservation, ornithology, and the incredible lives of birds. 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 fascinating world of the Swallow-tailed Kite, a striking black-and-white raptor famous for its incredibly long, deeply forked tail and seemingly effortless flight. But the Swallow-tailed Kite doesn't just LOOK impressive in the air—it has evolved to do an astonishing amount of its daily life without landing. These birds can catch and eat prey while flying, drink on the wing, and even collect nesting material from trees without touching the ground. So how do they do it? Field Museum Curators of Birds Dr. John Bates and Dr. Shannon Hackett take us into the biology, behavior, evolution, and natural history of the Swallow-tailed Kite. RJ and Amanda bring plenty of questions as we explore how that distinctive forked tail helps these birds maneuver through the sky, what they eat, how they hunt, where they live and migrate, and what makes them such specialized flyers. If you've ever looked up and seen the unmistakable silhouette of a Swallow-tailed Kite soaring overhead, you already know why this bird inspires so much excitement. And if you've never seen one before, this episode might give you a new bird for your bucket list. 🐦 Birds of a Feather Talk Together is a conversational birding and ornithology podcast hosted by Field Museum ornithologists Dr. John Bates and Dr. Shannon Hackett alongside birders RJ and Amanda. From bird behavior and evolution to migration, conservation, and the incredible things birds do, we're exploring the world of birds one species at a time. 🎧 Listen now and discover why the Swallow-tailed Kite might be one of the coolest birds in the sky. #SwallowTailedKite #Birding #BirdWatching #Birds #BirdFacts #Raptors #BirdOfPrey #Ornithology #BirdPodcast #BirdBehavior #BirdMigration #Wildlife #Nature 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 talking all about the Black Phoebe—a charismatic little flycatcher of the western United States known for its tail-wagging, insect-catching acrobatics, and habit of nesting around homes and other human structures. Thanks to listener Emily for inspiring this episode! She wrote in to tell us about a Black Phoebe nesting in her carport, which sent us down the rabbit hole on this fascinating bird. We get into Black Phoebe behavior, nesting, identification, and some of the things that make this species so much fun to have around. We also kick things off with a preview of the Chicago Urban Birding Festival, happening this weekend! Birds of a Feather will be recording a live episode at the festival, complete with an audience Q&A. Also performing are Tommy and Billy from Extremely Accurate Bird Songs—which somehow leads us into a conversation about a certain piece of bird anatomy that could make Tommy’s already extremely accurate bird drawings even more accurate. We’ll leave it at that. As always, Birds of a Feather Talk Together brings together married ornithologists Dr. John Bates and Dr. Shannon Hackett with birders RJ Pole and Amanda Pole for conversations about birds, birding, ornithology, natural history, and everything we discover along the way. 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 catching up on our summer birding adventures! RJ and Amanda share stories from their trip to Maine, including birding around Bar Harbor and taking a wildlife cruise along the coast. They encountered some incredible seabirds, including Atlantic Puffins, Common Eiders, and Black Guillemots, and talk about what it was like seeing these iconic Maine birds in person. We also get into another fascinating part of coastal Maine: the lobster fishing industry. After spending time around lobster boats and learning more about the fishery, RJ and Amanda discuss some of the sustainability practices used by Maine lobstermen and how closely the industry is connected to the coastal ecosystem. Meanwhile, John and Shannon share stories from their summer, including meeting Tommy Siegel and Billy Libby from Extremely Accurate Bird Songs. We also look ahead to the Chicago Urban Birding Festival, where Birds of a Feather will be appearing for a live show. And before all of that, we kick things off with some incredible bird pins created by artist Jimmy Gonzalez. From Atlantic Puffins and Black Guillemots to lobster boats, bird art, Extremely Accurate Bird Songs, and the Chicago Urban Birding Festival, this episode is a celebration of a summer spent around birds. Birds of a Feather Talk Together is a conversational birding and ornithology podcast hosted by Field Museum ornithologists Dr. John Bates and Dr. Shannon Hackett alongside birders RJ and Amanda Pole. Each week, we explore birds, birding, ornithology, conservation, and the natural world. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky

We're wrapping up our summer break with a revisit to one of North America's most iconic birds: the Common Loon! We'll be back next week with brand-new episodes, but before we do, we're heading back to one of our favorite conversations about this unmistakable bird. From their striking black-and-white plumage and incredible diving abilities to the haunting calls that echo across northern lakes, Common Loons are truly fascinating birds. And speaking of that famous sound—we're going to play a Common Loon call right before the episode begins! We talk a lot about their different vocalizations and that iconic call throughout the episode, so we wanted everyone to hear it before we dive in. Join Field Museum Curators of Birds Dr. John Bates and Dr. Shannon Hackett, along with RJ and Amanda, as we explore the biology, behavior, vocalizations, and natural history of the Common Loon. Whether you've heard a loon calling across a lake, spotted one while birding, or are just discovering what makes these birds so special, we hope you enjoy revisiting this episode with us. Birds of a Feather Talk Together is a birding and ornithology podcast for everyone—from experienced birders to people just beginning to discover the world of birds. 🎧 Brand-new episodes return next week! #CommonLoon #Birding #BirdWatching #Birds #Ornithology #BirdPodcast #FieldMuseum #BirdCalls #Loon #Wildlife #NaturePodcast Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky

The Black-capped Chickadee may be tiny, but it has one of the most remarkable memories in the bird world. This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're revisiting one of our favorite conversations about this beloved backyard bird. Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explore Black-capped Chickadee intelligence, behavior, food caching, winter survival, nesting, identification, and their famous "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" call. One of the most fascinating things about chickadees is their ability to hide food throughout their environment and later remember where they stored it. We explore how chickadee memory works, why food caching is so important during winter, and what scientists have learned by studying the brains and behavior of these remarkable little birds. We also get into chickadee communication and their surprisingly complex calls. What does the "chick-a-dee" call mean? How do chickadees warn one another about predators? And why have Black-capped Chickadees become such an important species for scientists studying bird intelligence and cognition? Whether Black-capped Chickadees visit your backyard feeder every day or you're just discovering them, this episode will give you a new appreciation for one of North America's smartest and most charismatic backyard birds. Birds of a Feather Talk Together is hosted by Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett alongside birders RJ and Amanda Pole, combining expert ornithology with the questions and curiosity of everyday birdwatchers. 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 revisiting one of our most unforgettable episodes: the Alpine Accentor. While we're taking a short summer break, we couldn't resist bringing back this fascinating conversation about a bird that has one of the most unusual mating systems ever discovered. If you thought bird behavior couldn't surprise you, think again. Native to the high mountains of Europe and Asia, the Alpine Accentor has become famous among ornithologists for its extraordinarily complex breeding behavior. Unlike many birds that form simple pairs, Alpine Accentors have a highly flexible mating system involving multiple males and multiple females—making them one of the most studied species in behavioral ecology. This unique breeding strategy has led to one of the most remarkable biological adaptations in birds: male Alpine Accentors have exceptionally large testes relative to their body size, an evolutionary response to intense competition for reproduction. We explore the science behind this adaptation, why it evolved, and what it teaches us about bird behavior and evolution. Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole for one of our funniest and most surprising conversations as we dive into Alpine Accentor behavior, mating systems, bird evolution, reproductive biology, behavioral ecology, and the incredible diversity of strategies birds use to pass on their genes. Whether you're fascinated by bird behavior, evolution, ornithology, wildlife science, or simply enjoy discovering the strangest stories in the natural world, this episode is guaranteed to surprise you. If you love birding, birdwatching, bird behavior, evolution, animal behavior, ornithology, wildlife biology, behavioral ecology, and nature podcasts, 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

How does a Baltimore Oriole build one of the most extraordinary nests in the bird world? This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we dive into the fascinating world of the Baltimore Oriole—one of North America's most beautiful and recognizable songbirds. Famous for their brilliant orange-and-black plumage, rich flute-like songs, and remarkable hanging nests, Baltimore Orioles are favorites among backyard birdwatchers. But their incredible ability to weave a nest suspended from thin branches makes them even more fascinating. Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explore how Baltimore Orioles build their nests, what they eat, where they migrate, how to identify them, and what makes their behavior so unusual. How do Baltimore Orioles weave their hanging nests? Where do they go in winter? What do Baltimore Orioles eat? How can you attract orioles to your backyard? And why are their nests so different from those of many other songbirds? We also hear about John's experience hosting Chicago broadcasting legend Geoffrey Baer at the Field Museum for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's great natural history museums. Whether you're hoping to see a Baltimore Oriole in your backyard or simply want to understand how a bird can weave such an incredible structure, this episode takes you inside the biology and behavior of one of North America's most spectacular birds. Birds of a Feather Talk Together combines expert ornithology from Field Museum scientists John Bates and Shannon Hackett with the curiosity of birders RJ and Amanda Pole. Link to see RJ on J Schwanke's Life In Bloom: https://schedule.wttw.com/series/28891/J-Schwankes-Life-In-Bloom/watch/get-outside-ZpiZD1 Link to hear John on Ologies with Alie Ward: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oology-eggs-with-john-bates/id1278815517?i=1000417763781 Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky

Why does one of Australia's most familiar birds have a reputation for being such a bully? In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're exploring the Noisy Miner—a highly social, intelligent, territorial Australian bird that can completely change the bird community around it. John recently encountered Noisy Miners while birding in Australia, giving us the perfect opportunity to explore the fascinating—and sometimes controversial—behavior of this species. Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explain Noisy Miner aggression, social behavior, territoriality, habitat, ecology, and their interactions with other Australian birds. Why are Noisy Miners so aggressive? Why do they attack and chase other birds? Are Noisy Miners invasive? What's the difference between a Noisy Miner and an introduced Common Myna? And how can one native species become so abundant that it affects other birds living nearby? We also discuss the incredible video "When Good Birds Go Bad" and John's firsthand experiences watching these birds in Australia. The Noisy Miner is a perfect example of why nature isn't always as simple as "native species good, introduced species bad." Their story involves behavior, habitat change, competition, and the complicated ways human-altered environments can favor certain species. If you love Australian wildlife, unusual bird behavior, or animals that don't quite behave the way you'd expect, the Noisy Miner is a fascinating bird to discover. Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky

How can a bird spend almost its entire life in the air? In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're diving into the remarkable world of the Chimney Swift—one of North America's most unusual aerial birds. Chimney Swifts are built for life on the wing. They feed on flying insects in midair, spend much of their day airborne, and even gather in spectacular flocks before disappearing into chimneys to roost. Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explore Chimney Swift flight, migration, nesting, roosting, diet, and the incredible adaptations that allow these birds to spend so much time in the sky. How long can Chimney Swifts stay in the air? Do they ever land? Why do hundreds or even thousands of swifts gather around chimneys? What do Chimney Swifts eat? Where did they nest before humans built chimneys? And where do they go during the winter? We also explore the unusual relationship between Chimney Swifts and humans. As old chimneys disappear or are capped, these birds are losing structures that have become important nesting and roosting habitat. If you've ever watched a swirling flock of birds disappear into a chimney at sunset—or seen mysterious crescent-shaped birds racing through the sky—this episode will give you a whole new appreciation for the incredible Chimney Swift. 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 ornithologist David Vander Pluym to explore a fascinating bird from Central America and South America: the Slate-throated Redstart—also known as the Slate-throated Whitestart. David is a graduate student at the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science whose research focuses on bird ecology and migration. Before beginning graduate school, he spent years studying birds along the Colorado River in Arizona and California, and he now researches the remarkable altitudinal migration of the Slate-throated Redstart. Together, we discuss why this colorful bird may now be called the Slate-throated Whitestart, what scientists have learned about its behavior and habitat, and how birds can migrate not just across continents, but up and down mountains in response to changing seasons. Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ Pole and Amanda Pole for a fascinating conversation about tropical birds, mountain ecosystems, bird migration, evolution, bird taxonomy, and ornithological research. We also catch up with David about this year's Birds of a Feather March Madness Bird Tournament. As one of the LSU graduate students who helped vote throughout the competition, he shares his thoughts on one of the tournament's biggest fan favorites—the Club-winged Manakin—and his opinion might surprise you. Whether you're interested in bird migration, tropical birds, ornithology, bird evolution, scientific research, or discovering beautiful species you've never heard of, this episode is packed with fascinating bird science and unforgettable stories from the field. If you love birding, birdwatching, bird behavior, tropical birds, migration, ornithology, wildlife science, bird evolution, and nature podcasts, 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 taking a closer look at one of North America's most energetic and recognizable backyard birds: the Carolina Wren. This episode was inspired by listener Rebekah, who wrote to us asking if we could convince her to appreciate Carolina Wrens a little more. Like many birders, she noticed just how loud these tiny birds can be around your house—and wondered what makes them so special. Challenge accepted! Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to explore everything that makes the Carolina Wren such a remarkable species. We discuss Carolina Wren behavior, bird songs and calls, habitat, nesting, bird identification, migration, and the fascinating adaptations that have helped these charismatic songbirds thrive across much of the eastern United States. Along the way, we explain why Carolina Wrens seem so much louder than their size would suggest, what makes their personalities so memorable, and why they've become favorites among backyard birdwatchers. We also touch on the recent surge of interest in wrens, as these tiny birds continue to capture the attention of birders and nature lovers alike. Whether you're a lifelong birder, just getting started with birdwatching, or simply curious about the birds visiting your backyard, this episode is packed with fascinating bird science, ornithology, bird behavior, and fun facts that may just change the way you think about Carolina Wrens. If you love birding, birdwatching, backyard birds, songbirds, bird identification, bird behavior, ornithology, wildlife science, and nature podcasts, 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 explore one of North America's most secretive and fascinating birds: the Black-billed Cuckoo. Often heard more than seen, Black-billed Cuckoos are mysterious forest birds known for their elusive behavior, unique adaptations, and surprising diet. In this episode, we dive into what makes this species so unusual, from its preference for hairy caterpillars that many other birds avoid to its remarkable migration and nesting behaviors. Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to discuss Black-billed Cuckoo behavior, bird identification, migration, habitat, evolution, bird vocalizations, and why these birds remain one of North America's most intriguing songbirds. We also explore the fascinating role Black-billed Cuckoos play in forest ecosystems, how they compare to other cuckoo species around the world, and why even experienced birders consider spotting one a special experience. Whether you're a lifelong birder, just getting into birdwatching, or simply curious about the hidden lives of birds, this episode is packed with fascinating bird science, ornithology, wildlife conservation, and unforgettable bird facts. If you love birding, birdwatching, cuckoos, bird behavior, bird migration, songbirds, ornithology, wildlife science, and nature podcasts, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Tagsblack billed cuckoo, black-billed cuckoo, cuckoo bird, birding, birdwatching, bird behavior, bird migration, bird identification, north american birds, songbirds, ornithology, wildlife podcast, bird podcast, bird facts, migration birds, forest birds, nature podcast, wildlife science, bird vocalizations, backyard birding Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube  Instagram TikTok BlueSky