Best John Bates Shannon Hackett Rj Pole Amanda Marquart Podcasts (2025)

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120: Mourning Dove Revisited 26:01

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4h ago26:01

26:01

Happy Thanksgiving from Birds of a Feather Talk Together! We’re taking the week off for the holiday, but we didn’t want to leave you bird-less—so we’re re-sharing one of our favorite episodes, all about the mourning dove, one of North America’s most familiar and fascinating backyard birds. Fun fact: mourning doves can store an unbelievable amount o…

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119: Spoon-billed Sandpiper - One Of The Rarest Birds On Earth - Story of Convergence 32:37

6h ago32:37

32:37

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re exploring one of the rarest, most extraordinary birds on the planet: the spoon-billed sandpiper—a tiny shorebird with one of nature’s most fascinating evolutionary surprises. If you caught our recent YouTube video where John compared a Roseate Spoonbill at the Field Museum to the delicate spoon-b…

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118: Golden Eagle - One of the largest and fastest raptors in North America 35:21

14d ago35:21

35:21

The Golden Eagle — one of North America’s largest, fastest, and most powerful raptors — takes center stage in this week’s episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together! Married ornithologists Dr. John Bates and Dr. Shannon Hackett from Chicago’s Field Museum join hosts RJ Pole and Amanda Pole, who recently spotted Golden Eagles during their honeymoon…

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117: Palm-nut Vulture - A Vulture Unlike Any Other! 35:54

10d ago35:54

35:54

Welcome back to Birds of a Feather Talk Together. Hosted by ornithologists and curators of birds at the Field Museum John Bates and Shannon Hackett, who are married, and also new birders RJ and Amanda Pole. Today we’re focusing on a fascinating species — the palm-nut vulture. This is a bird John has been eager to highlight, and once you learn more …

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116: Common Loon - An Eerie and Beautiful Call - Listener Request! 1:01:36

28d ago1:01:36

1:01:36

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…

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115: Downy Woodpecker and Hairy Woodpecker 1:00:00

1M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

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 experienc…

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114: The Feather Thief with Kirk Wallace Johnson - Revisited 1:21:53

2M ago1:21:53

1:21:53

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, yo…

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113: Kirtland's Warbler Revisited 37:44

2M ago37:44

37:44

This week we’re revisiting one of our older episodes all about the Kirtland’s warbler. If you caught our interview with Peter Kaestner (episode 98), you might remember that he almost went birding on the morning of his wedding just to see this bird—so if Peter was that excited, you know it’s going to be a good one. The Kirtland’s warbler has a fasci…

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112: Brown-headed Cowbird Revisited - Laying Eggs In Other Birds' Nests! 32:14

2M ago32:14

32:14

We’re revisiting our episode on the brown-headed cowbird, and trust me, this one’s a wild ride. Did you know cowbirds don’t build their own nests, but instead lay their eggs in other birds’ nests and let them do the parenting? Even birds that aren’t even close in size will get stuck raising the chicks of a brown-headed cowbird. Hosts John Bates, Sh…

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111: Project Phoenix with Olivia Sanderfoot and Allison Shultz - How Wildfires Are Impacting Birds 1:22:11

2M ago1:22:11

1:22:11

This week we’re excited to welcome two special guests—Olivia Sanderfoot and Allison Shultz—to talk about Project Phoenix. This important project is exploring how wildfire smoke impacts birds on the West Coast, and what that means for their survival in a rapidly warming world. Understanding these effects is critical for shaping conservation strategi…

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110: Red-headed Woodpecker - Catching Bugs Out Of The Sky + Paddleboard Sightings 43:27

3M ago43:27

43:27

Everyone loves woodpeckers, and the Red-headed Woodpecker is one of the coolest! Listen to what makes this bird unique, like hiding grasshoppers in trees to eat later (while they are still alive.) RJ also tells some paddleboarding mishaps, and talks about some molting mallards that he saw recently. Join RJ, Amanda, John, and Shannon this week to ta…

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109: Olive-sided Flycatcher - John Makes His Case For His Favorite Bird! 36:37

3M ago36:37

36:37

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, John takes the lead with his pick: the Olive-sided Flycatcher. Despite traveling the world and spotting hundreds of bird species, this flycatcher still holds a special place on his list of favorites. But not everyone agrees—his co-host (and wife) Shannon, also an ornithologist, isn’t convinced it’s suc…

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108: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Cute Bird With A Ton Of Personality! 38:07

3M ago38:07

38:07

Welcome back to Birds of a Feather Talk Together! This week, the full crew—John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Pole—are back to highlight one of North America’s tiniest and most charming songbirds: the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. It’s Amanda’s pick this week, and she’s sharing why this lively little bird is one of her absolute favorites. If…

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107: Club-winged Manakin - Making Robot Noises with its Feathers 50:09

3M ago50:09

50:09

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, it’s Shannon’s turn to pick the bird—and she’s chosen one of the wildest species on the planet: the club-winged manakin. If you’ve never heard of this bird, do yourself a favor right now—stop what you’re doing and google it. Trust us, you’ll be amazed. The club-winged manakin doesn’t sing with its voic…

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106: Kingfishers Around The World with Jenna Mccullough 33:07

4M ago33:07

33:07

In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we welcome back Jenna McCullough, a third-generation birdwatcher from Boise, Idaho, with a PhD in Biology from the University of New Mexico. Currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Kentucky and soon to begin a prestigious National Science Foundation fellowship at the Natural Hist…

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105: Mailbag Episode! Birds On The Side Of The Road in Florida, and Sparrows in Pennsylvania 24:49

4M ago24:49

24:49

In this fun and fan-fueled episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we're diving into the mailbag to answer your burning bird questions! It's our usual hosts, married ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, and married birding enthusiasts RJ and Amanda Pole. First up: What’s the deal with all those birds hanging out in roadside water in …

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104: Guam Kingfisher with Jenna Mccullough 43:04

4M ago43:04

43:04

In this week’s episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re thrilled to welcome ornithologist Jenna McCullough to the show for a deep dive into one of the most endangered birds on the planet: the Guam Kingfisher. Once extinct in the wild, this striking bird—known for its bold colors and elusive nature—has become a powerful symbol of conservat…

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103: Inca Tern - Plus we talk about John's trip to Peru! 45:09

4M ago45:09

45:09

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, John is back from his unforgettable trip to Peru, and we’ve got plenty to talk about! From the incredible bird species he encountered to the vibrant landscapes, John shares highlights and stories from his adventure. We also dive into one of the most distinctive birds of the region — the Inca Tern — fam…

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102: Laughing Kookaburras with Jenna Mccullough 38:14

4M ago38:14

38:14

In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re diving deep into the world of kookaburras, the iconic laughing bird of Australia, with ornithologist Jenna McCullough. Jenna is a third-generation birdwatcher from Boise, Idaho, with a PhD in Biology from the University of New Mexico. She’s currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Univers…

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101: Extremely Accurate Bird Songs with Tommy Siegel and Billy Libby 1:08:07

5M ago1:08:07

1:08:07

Get ready for the crossover event bird lovers can’t stop talking about! In this special episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we welcome the hilarious and musically gifted duo behind the Extremely Accurate Bird Songs Podcast—Tommy Siegel and Billy Libby. Join hosts John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart as we: 🐦 Listen to …

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100: Kingfishers with Jenna Mccullough 48:54

5M ago48:54

48:54

Jenna Mccullough is a third generation birdwatcher from Boise, ID. She got her bachelors at the university of Idaho (2015); got her masters (2018) and PhD (2024) at the university of New Mexico. She's a postdoc at the university of Kentucky and about to start a National Science foundation fellowship at the natural history museum of Los Angeles Coun…

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99: Marcel Rochon Interview: The Healing Power of Nature and Birding 1:17:37

5M ago1:17:37

1:17:37

We’re joined by a fan of the show who reached out with a heartfelt letter that really moved us. Our guest, Marcel, is a passionate birder with a story that is truly touching. From being a world-class athlete to navigating the challenges of a severe brain injury, he found healing and meaning in nature and birding. We’ll start by sharing the touching…

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98: Peter Kaestner Interview - Seeing 10,000 Bird Species In The Wild! 1:34:04

5M ago1:34:04

1:34:04

This week, we have a truly special guest—Peter Kaestner, the first person in history to see over 10,000 bird species in the wild. It’s a mind-blowing achievement. Peter took us on an unforgettable journey through his life as a birder, and how his career as a diplomat allowed him to travel the globe. He shared incredible stories—like birding in Colo…

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97: Orange-tufted Spiderhunter 35:10

6M ago35:10

35:10

We’ve got a fun one for you this week as we get ready for a very special guest: Peter Kaestner—the first person to see 10,000 bird species in the wild. We speak to him next week. To prep for that epic conversation, we're taking a closer look at the bird that earned him that milestone: the Orange-tufted Spiderhunter. Spoiler alert—Amanda was not imp…

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96: Black-capped Chickadee - Cute Bird with a Mighty Brain 58:01

6M ago58:01

58:01

In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we dive deep into the fascinating world of the Black-capped Chickadee—one of North America's most beloved birds. Discover the secrets behind the chickadee's distinctive “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call, its remarkable memory, and how this tiny bird survives harsh winters with clever food-storing habits…

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95: Ruby-throated Hummingbird Revisited 35:45

6M ago35:45

35:45

In this episode of Birds of a Feather Podcast, we revisit one of our favorite past episodes all about the ruby-throated hummingbird—a truly fascinating and fast-flying species known for its shimmering feathers and incredible migration. Join hosts John Bates and Shannon Hackett, along with RJ Pole and Amanda Marquart, as we dive back into the world …

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94: Blackpoll Warbler Revisited - Epic Migration and More About Warblers 40:53

6M ago40:53

40:53

This week, we're revisiting a listener favorite all about Blackpoll Warblers—tiny birds with an absolutely epic migration. Whether you're new to warblers or already a seasoned birder, this episode is packed with fascinating facts and fresh insights. John and Shannon dive into what makes the Blackpoll Warbler’s journey so mind-blowing, and John give…

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93: Great Potoo, we also talk Prothonotary Warbler and Answer A Question on Robin's Eggs 51:48

7M ago51:48

51:48

This week, we dive into the weird and wonderful world of the Great Potoo—a mysterious nocturnal bird with haunting eyes and an even stranger call. Ever wondered why robin eggs are blue? We’ve got the answer! Plus, we spotlight one of North America’s most stunning songbirds: the Prothonotary Warbler, known for its brilliant yellow plumage and swampy…

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92: Wood Ducks: Nesting Behavior, Baby Ducklings & a Surprise Owl Sighting 1:03:39

7M ago1:03:39

1:03:39

In this nature-packed episode, we dive into the fascinating world of Wood Ducks—one of the most beautiful and iconic duck species in North America. Learn about their striking plumage, unique nesting habits, and the incredible moment when day-old ducklings leap from tree cavities to join their mother on the ground. We also share a recent encounter w…

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91: How NSF Budget Cuts Are Threatening U.S. Science – A Deep Dive with Ornithologists 31:18

7M ago31:18

31:18

In this timely and urgent episode, we explore the devastating impact of recent budget cuts and defunding of the National Science Foundation (NSF) on the U.S. scientific community. Originally planning to discuss Wood Ducks, our conversation quickly shifted to the broader crisis facing science in America today. Join married ornithologists John and Sh…

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90: American Dipper - Bird that Walks Under Water 48:40

7M ago48:40

48:40

This week we are talking about one of the coolest birds in North America: The American Dipper. This is a smaller nondescript bird that has learned and adapted how find food in some of the roughest river water imaginable. It can fly through waterfalls, withstand rushing currents, and to the eye just looks like a little gray songbird. John and Shanno…

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89: Red-Ruffed Fruitcrow 46:07

7M ago46:07

46:07

If you listened to our series on the Feather Thief, or read the book, you are familiar with the Red-ruffed fruitcrow. It was also called the Indian crow in the book. We wanted to follow up the series to talk more in depth about one of the birds that was mentioned so much, and it was pretty fascinating to learn more about this bird that actually has…

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88: Spotted Towhee - Bright Red Eyes! 33:23

7M ago33:23

33:23

This week we talk about the Spotted Towhee. RJ and Amanda saw them on their trip to Sedona, and thought it would be a fun bird to learn more about. Hosted by John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart. Please send us your questions for us to answer as well! You can send them to [email protected] Make sure to follow us…

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87: Gambel's Quail - Sedona, topknots, and who was Gambel? 56:56

8M ago56:56

56:56

In this exciting episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we dive into the fascinating world of the Gambel's Quail – a stunning bird spotted by RJ and Amanda during their recent trip to Sedona, Arizona. With John’s Arizona roots, this bird-focused adventure made for the perfect topic, and trust us, it’s one you won’t want to miss! But that's no…

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86: Hoatzin Revisited with Jacob Drucker - You've Seen It On 'The Americas' on NBC 24:01

8M ago24:01

24:01

In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we dive deep into the world of the Hoatzin, one of the most unique and mysterious birds on the planet! With claws on their wings as chicks, these fascinating creatures might even offer a glimpse into the distant past of dinosaurs. Join our expert panel, including John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ P…

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85: Purple Martins Revisited - Migrating to the U.S. to live in man-made structures 25:01

8M ago25:01

25:01

In this exciting episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, hosts John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart dive into the fascinating world of the Purple Martin. Learn how these remarkable birds depend on man-made structures for nesting, particularly in the Eastern U.S., and why they’re so unique. In the second half, we tackle a m…

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84: Mourning Dove 27:48

8M ago27:48

27:48

If you've listened to our other episodes, you know Shannon's stance on Mourning Doves. See if we can convince her otherwise in our episode on Mourning Doves. Hosted by John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart. Please send us your questions for us to answer as well! You can send them to [email protected] Make sure to…

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83: Harlequin Duck - Fascinating Waterfowl with Stunning Plumage 32:38

9M ago32:38

32:38

Harlequin Ducks are a captivating species of small, compact waterfowl known for their distinctive appearance. These beautiful ducks feature a large, rounded head, a small bill, and a steep forehead. Their striking plumage showcases a stunning slate blue color, accented with white stripes and chestnut sides. The head is especially eye-catching with …

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82: Kirk Wallace Johnson Interview - The Feather Thief - The Shocking True-Crime Tale of a Museum Heist & Rare Bird Feathers 1:22:36

9M ago1:22:36

1:22:36

In today’s thrilling episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of true crime with Kirk Wallace Johnson, bestselling author of The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century. Join us as Kirk unravels the extraordinary story of a bizarre heist at The Natural History Museum in Tring, where a daring thief stol…

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81: The Feather Thief Part 6: Obsession, A Possible Accomplice, Final Thoughts 35:27

9M ago35:27

35:27

This week we close out with our final thoughts on the Feather Thief, as well as talk about the importance of museums and their collections. It’s our last episode before we talk to the author Kirk Wallace Johnson, so get ready for next week. This week we talk a little bit about obsession in general, and how it is human nature to become obsessed, whe…

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80: The Feather Thief Part 5: The Crime, The Importance of Museum Collections, also a discussion on Canada and also precious metals 50:05

9M ago50:05

50:05

Welcome back to Part 5 of our exploration of the book The Feather Thief. We discuss the horrific act that’s still causing ripples in the world of museums. We’ll also take a closer look at the role museum collections play in science—a subject misunderstood by some fly-tiers in the book. We also talk about how museum specimens drive scientific progre…

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79: The Feather Thief Part 4: The Argus Pheasant and Jason Weckstein Joins Us Again!! 37:07

10M ago37:07

37:07

Our adventure through the pages of the book The Feather Thief continues! We’re thrilled to have Jason Weckstein join us again. Jason is an enthusiastic fly fisherman and fly-tier, and also an amazing ornithologist. He joined us last week, and is back with even more laughs, stories, and an extraordinary depth of insight into the quirky worlds of bot…

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78: The Feather Thief Part 3: Fly-tying with guest Jason Weckstein 45:25

10M ago45:25

45:25

We are doing a mini-series on The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson. This week we have a very special guest, Jason Weckstein, join us for a conversation about the intricacies of fly-tying. Jason is not only an avid fly fisherman and fly tier but also a passionate ornithologist. Jason is an Associate Curator of Ornithology at the Academy of Natu…

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77: The Feather Thief Part 2: Walter Rothschild, Feather Fever, and the start of the Audubon Society 33:36

10M ago33:36

33:36

Part two of our Feather Thief mini-series! This week we cover chapters on Walter Rothschild’s infamous museum, the fashion madness known as "feather fever," which drove people to decimate millions of rare and exotic birds. Then we’ll explore the aftermath—how a group of determined women, appalled by the devastation, sparked a movement to protect bi…

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76: The Feather Thief Part 1 - Alfred Russel Wallace, also the horrific crime that occurred at the museum 1:04:09

10M ago1:04:09

1:04:09

In this special mini-series, we’re diving into The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson, a gripping blend of true crime and cultural exploration. This fascinating story explores the themes of obsession, beauty, and the extreme lengths people will go to in pursuit of something they can’t have. In 2009, a daring thief broke into the British Museum o…

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75: The Feather Thief Prologue - Quick Listen Prior to Starting The Mini-Series :) 20:02

10M ago20:02

20:02

We’re stepping away from our usual routine to dive into something a bit different—The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson. This is a story of a museum heist, someone who stole rare bird skins from a museum in order to sell them on the dark web to fly-fisherman. Two of our hosts, John Bates and Shannon Hackett, are curators at the Field Museum in …

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74: John Returns From The Falklands, Gentoo Penguins, What Do Birds Do In The Rain? 56:46

11M ago56:46

56:46

John is back from his trip to the Falkland Islands to study Gentoo Penguins, so we ask him all about his trip. We also answer a mailbag question on what birds do in the rain when it storms. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart for Birds of a Feather Talk Together. Please send us your questions for us to answer as well! You…

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73: Willard's Sooty Boubou Revisited - A New Species Described 41:23

11M ago41:23

41:23

We are kicking it off the new year by revisiting an older episode that we did on the Willard’s Sooty Boubou. This was a bird that John and the team at the Field Museum were responsible for describing as a new species. We are doing a mini-series on the book The Feather Thief in a few weeks, so we wanted to share an episode that highlighted what John…

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72: The Archaeopteryx at the Field Museum + An Exciting Announcement 14:06

11M ago14:06

14:06

We're still down for the holidays but are sharing a segment that we did on the Archaeopteryx at The Field Museum. Birds are the only group of dinosaurs that survived when an asteroid hit the Earth 66 million years ago. A fossil called Archaeopteryx, with feathers, hollow bones, clawed wings, tiny teeth, and a long tail, is the earliest known dinosa…

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71: Christmas Bird Count, The Feather Thief Question, An Exciting Announcement! 10:05

11M ago10:05

10:05

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! This week we revisit a segment on the Christmas Bird Count. We also answer a question on the book the Feather Thief. We also finish it off with an exciting announcment for 2025 (spoiler, we are going to do a mini-series all about The Feather Thief!) Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart f…