Birds of a Feather Talk Together

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes about the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher—one of North America's smallest, busiest, and most beloved songbirds.
While John is off birding in New Zealand and Australia, we're taking a look back at this conversation about a bird that perfectly captures what makes birdwatching so rewarding. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers may be tiny, but their energetic behavior, buzzy calls, and constant movement make them unforgettable once you start noticing them.
When we originally recorded this episode, we talked about how special it would be to spend a day surrounded by Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and how important it is not to take those moments in nature for granted. Recently, that exact experience happened again, serving as a reminder of one of the best lessons birding can teach us: slow down, pay attention, and appreciate the birds around you.
In this episode, Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to discuss Blue-gray Gnatcatcher behavior, bird identification, migration, habitat, nesting, bird songs and calls, and why these tiny birds are such favorites among birders.
We also answer a listener mailbag question about vultures and condors, exploring the fascinating world of scavenging birds and their important role in ecosystems.
If you love birding, birdwatching, songbirds, backyard birds, bird behavior, bird identification, vultures, condors, 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 explore one of the most spectacular birds in Africa: the Rwenzori Turaco.
Chosen by Shannon, this stunning bird is famous for its brilliant colors, striking crest, and almost unbelievable appearance. If you’ve never seen a Rwenzori Turaco before, you may want to look up a photo right now—its vibrant plumage makes it one of the most beautiful birds in the world and a favorite among birders, wildlife photographers, and ornithologists alike.
John also shares stories from his birding adventures in Africa, including what it was like to see Rwenzori Turacos in the wild. The conversation expands into African birding, tropical forests, wildlife encounters, and the incredible diversity of birds found across the continent.
Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to discuss Rwenzori Turaco behavior, habitat, bird identification, evolution, and what makes turacos such unique birds within the avian world.
Whether you're fascinated by exotic birds, dreaming of birding in Africa, or simply love learning about beautiful and unusual species, this episode is packed with bird facts, ornithology, wildlife science, and unforgettable birding stories.
If you love birding, birdwatching, African birds, tropical birds, bird behavior, ornithology, wildlife travel, conservation, 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 explore the fascinating world of the Black-and-white Warbler—one of the most unique and behaviorally unusual warblers in North America.
Unlike most warblers that hop through leaves and branches, Black-and-white Warblers climb tree trunks and branches much like nuthatches or woodpeckers, making them instantly recognizable to birders once you know what to look for. Their bold black-and-white striped plumage, energetic movements, and distinctive behavior make them one of the most charming songbirds in the forest.
This episode was inspired by listener Kelsey, who asked us to do a full deep dive into these amazing birds—and we had a blast discussing them.
Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to discuss Black-and-white Warbler behavior, migration, bird identification, foraging strategies, habitat, bird songs and calls, and why this species stands out among North American warblers.
If you love birding, birdwatching, warblers, songbirds, bird behavior, ornithology, migration, 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 talking about one of the most beautiful doves in the world: the Pink-headed Fruit Dove.
Native to the mountain forests of Indonesia, the Pink-headed Fruit Dove is known for its stunning pink head and chest, vibrant green body, and striking necklace-like markings. Because these birds live in remote high-elevation habitats, they haven’t been studied as extensively as many other bird species, which makes them even more fascinating to explore.
Shannon picked this week’s bird—unsurprisingly, because she loves the color pink—and the conversation quickly turned into an appreciation of just how incredible and unusual this species really is. We discuss the dove’s appearance, habitat, behavior, and why tropical birds like this capture so much imagination among birders and ornithologists alike.
We also answer a listener mailbag question from Kelsey about the Black-and-white Warbler, including bird behavior and identification tips related to this unique species.
As always, it’s married ornithologists and curators of birds at the Field Museum John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside RJ and Amanda Pole learning right along with you.
If you love birding, birdwatching, tropical birds, rare birds, bird behavior, ornithology, wildlife, and fascinating bird facts, this is a really fun episode you won’t want to miss.
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This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving into one of the most dazzling birds in North America—the Costa’s Hummingbird. After a listener wrote in with a question, we decided this tiny desert specialist deserved a full episode—and it does not disappoint.
From its iridescent purple crown to its high-speed aerial displays, the Costa’s Hummingbird is a master of survival in some of the harshest environments. We explore its unique behavior, desert habitat, feeding strategies, and what makes it stand out among hummingbirds.
We also revisit the Black-backed Woodpecker, connecting back to our earlier episode with Ryan, who shared his experience birding on the autism spectrum. That conversation opened up an important discussion about how birding can be more inclusive—and how the birding community can create space for everyone to enjoy nature in their own way.
Whether you're a beginner learning your first birds or a seasoned birder looking to go deeper, this episode blends science, storytelling, and real-world perspectives.
As always, it’s married ornithologists and Field Museum curators John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside birding enthusiasts RJ and Amanda Pole, bringing you birds through both expert insight and curious discovery.
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