That echoing, haunting call drifting across a northern lake at dusk — few sounds in nature are as unforgettable as the common loon. In this listener-requested episode, RJ, John, Shannon, and Amanda dive into the world of these striking waterbirds. From their red eyes and black-and-white plumage to their incredible diving and parenting skills, loons are true masters of life on the water.

Grab a cup of coffee, settle in lakeside, and join us for a relaxing, fact-filled conversation about one of North America’s most iconic birds.

🎧 Listen to learn:

• Why loons’ eerie calls are so distinctive
• How their anatomy makes them world-class divers
• What their plumage and red eyes signal
• Where to find loons across the northern U.S. and Canada

Whether you’ve heard their call on a quiet morning or are dreaming of your next lake getaway, this episode will transport you straight to the water’s edge.

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Welcome back to Birds of a Feather Talk Together, the podcast where bird lovers flock to learn more about the amazing world of birds!

In this episode, we’re diving into two of North America’s most look-alike woodpeckers — the Downy Woodpecker and the Hairy Woodpecker. Whether you’re a new bird watcher trying to tell these two apart, or an experienced birder curious about their unique behaviors and adaptations, this episode has something for you.

Join your favorite birding hosts — John Bates and Shannon Hackett, married ornithologists from the Field Museum, along with RJ Pole and his wife Amanda — as they share field stories, ID tips, and fascinating facts about these incredible birds.

Plus, we answer a mailbag question from one of our longtime listeners that led to a surprisingly “spark”-filled discussion — you won’t want to miss it!

🎧 Tune in now for bird identification tips, fun woodpecker facts, and expert insight from some of the best voices in ornithology.

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Welcome back to Birds of a Feather Talk Together! We’re taking a short break this week, but we’ve got something special lined up for you. While we gear up for upcoming episodes on Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers—and even a deep dive into the mysterious world of loons—we’re revisiting one of our most popular interviews from last year.

In this replay, your hosts John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Pole sit down with Kirk Wallace Johnson, acclaimed author of The Feather Thief. His bestselling book tells the gripping true story of obsession, theft, and the black market trade for rare bird feathers—a tale that bird lovers, naturalists, and true-crime fans alike will find fascinating.

This story hits close to home for John and Shannon, curators of birds at the Field Museum. John even served as an advisor to Johnson while he was researching the book.

Whether you’re a birder, a natural history fan, or simply love a great story, this episode is packed with insight, passion, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most talked-about bird-related books in recent memory.

Grab your binoculars (and maybe a copy of The Feather Thief)—and enjoy our conversation with Kirk Wallace Johnson!

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