Birds of a Feather Talk Together
Hosted by John and Amanda and RJ and Shannon · John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, Amanda Marquart
4.9from 102 ratings
- 187
- Episodes
- 29
- Transcribed
- 102
- Ratings
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2023
- First episode
- 68K
- YouTube views
About Birds of a Feather Talk Together
Birds of a Feather Talk Together is a birding and birdwatching podcast for beginners and experts alike, blending expert ornithology with curiosity, storytelling, humor, and real-time discovery. Hosted from Chicago by married Field Museum ornithologists and curators John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside birding enthusiasts RJ and Amanda Pole, the podcast explores the fascinating world of birds through conversations that are educational, approachable, and fun. Each episode dives into bird behavior, bird migration, bird identification, bird songs and calls, backyard birds, conservation, bird intelligence, evolution, ecology, and the science behind how birds live and adapt. From hummingbirds, owls, woodpeckers, warblers, and herons to rare bird sightings, viral bird stories, and surprising animal behavior, every episode uncovers something remarkable about the natural world. What makes the show unique is the mix of professional scientists and newer birders learning in real time together. Whether you’re an experienced birder, a casual birdwatcher, or completely new to birding, the conversations are designed to make ornithology accessible and engaging without losing the depth of the science. The podcast regularly features stories and research connected to the Field Museum, listener-submitted bird sightings, birding adventures, wildlife conservation topics, and current events from across the birding world. If you love birds, birdwatching, nature podcasts, wildlife, science storytelling, animal behavior, or simply want to better understand the birds around you, Birds of a Feather Talk Together will help you see the natural world in a whole new way.
- Publisher
- John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, Amanda Marquart
- Category
- education · science · science
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 16 May 2023
- Latest episode
- 2 Nov 2026
Latest episodes
29 of 187 episodes have a transcript.
2 Nov 2026TRANSCRIPT
168: Chicago's Recent Deadly Bird Migration: Over 1,000 Birds Killed or Injured in Window Collisions
26 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT
167: Greater Honeyguide: More Brood Parasitism AND Helping Humans Find Honey!
19 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT
166: Great Spotted Cuckoo: Brood Parasitism, Evolution & the Real Science Behind the Horror Movie Cuckoo
Inside a recent episode
168: Chicago's Recent Deadly Bird Migration: Over 1,000 Birds Killed or Injured in Window Collisions
Published 2 Nov 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Is the fall a more deadly migration time than spring in general? Or is that just coincidence that these two big events were... I told you about that spring event from 96. And what I'd say is... Oh, that was spring. Yeah, but there was also the fall event too. And so I think weather... is pretty unpredictable. So I think the total numbers, I think, are greater than fall. And part of that may be more based on the fact that what you've got migrating through in the fall includes adults, but then young of the year, too. And they're not exposed at all to windows. And so the population that's coming through is bigger, too. […]
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See plansWho has been a guest on Birds of a Feather Talk Together
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
- Christian Flores
- John Bates
- Shannon Hackett
- Tommy Siegel
- Billy Libby
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- YouTube views
- 67,684
- Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 4.9 / 5
- 49 ratings
- Spotify
- 4.9 / 5
- 53 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 71 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 77
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 76
- Engagement
- 85
Contact Birds of a Feather Talk Together
- Guest appearances
- Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Shows with a similar audience
Questions about Birds of a Feather Talk Together
Who hosts Birds of a Feather Talk Together?
John and Amanda and RJ and Shannon host the show. Published by John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, Amanda Marquart.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Birds of a Feather Talk Together take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
Where can I read transcripts?
29 of 187 episodes have a transcript on Pod Engine. Full transcripts are available with a Pod Engine plan.
Host of Birds of a Feather Talk Together?
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