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

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

3d 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

10d 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

17d 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

24d 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

1M 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

1M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

6M 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

6M 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

6M 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

6M 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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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

8M 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

8M 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…

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70: Holiday Wrap-Up - What We've Learned 22:09

8M ago22:09

22:09

We talk about what the four of us have learned so far on our podcast journey. It's a fun reflection from RJ, Shannon, John, and Amanda. Enjoy! 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 can send them to podcast.birdsofafeather@gmail…

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69: John's Trip to the Falkland Islands, also we talk about Bird Flu 34:45

8M ago34:45

34:45

This week's episode is a little different. John is going on a trip to the Falkland Islands to study Gentoo Penguins, so we ask him all about his upcoming trip. We end up discussing avian influenza a bit as well, as Bird Flu is a major concern for the trip. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart for Birds of a Feather Talk To…

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68: The Rusty Blackbird - Dramatic population decline, also a question on 'The Big Year' 26:59

9M ago26:59

26:59

This week we discuss the Rusty Blackbird. Rusty Blackbird is one of North America’s most rapidly declining species. The population has dropped between 85-99 percent over the past forty years, and Amanda and RJ saw one a few weeks ago so we decided to talk about them. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart for Birds of a Feat…

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67: Wild Turkey Revisited - with Jacob Drucker 23:27

9M ago23:27

23:27

We revisit an old episode on the Wild Turkey this week. These birds are a major conservation success story. We also talk about John seeing a turkey in the Democratic Republic of Congo, how turkeys got their name, and learn all about their magnificent feathers. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart for Birds of a Feather Tal…

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66: White-throated Sparrow 45:34

9M ago45:34

45:34

Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart as we discuss the White-throated sparrow. We talk about sparrows in general, and how to differentiate them based on behavior and not just their appearance. We also talk about how they have been shrinking in size over the last 50 years, and how the specimen collection at the Field Museum…

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65: Wrentits with Kevin Burns 47:11

9M ago47:11

47:11

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re discussing the fascinating wrentit with expert Kevin Burns! Known for its distinctive call featured in countless movies and TV shows, the wrentit is a secretive bird found primarily in California and Oregon. Despite being one of the most sedentary birds in North America, its closest relatives are…

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64: Inti Tanager with Kevin Burns - Also known as the 'Kill Bill' Tanager 57:19

9M ago57:19

57:19

Kevin Burns joins us again to discuss the Inti Tanager. Kevin is an ornithologist and professor of biology at San Diego State University and goes way back with Shannon and John. Kevin tells us all about the story of this bird, from the sighting in the early 2000’s in Peru, to it finally being described as a species 20 years later. The bird earned t…

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63: Kagu - Ghosts of the Forest 40:05

10M ago40:05

40:05

This super unique bird from New Caledonia has been isolated on an island in the Pacific for so long, but somehow its closest relative is the Sunbittern in Central and South America. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart as we discuss the Kagu. We also answer a question on feathers. Here is the organization that we were refe…

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62: Unlock the Secrets of Mindful Birdwatching with Joan E. Strassmann | New Book 'The Slow Birding Journal' 27:51

10M ago27:51

27:51

In this captivating episode, we sit down with evolutionary biologist and acclaimed author Joan E. Strassmann to dive deep into the world of slow birding. Joan's latest release, The Slow Birding Journal, dropped on October 22nd and offers bird lovers a fresh, intentional approach to connecting with nature. This beautifully crafted journal invites bi…

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61: Roseate Spoonbill Revisited - The Color Pink 35:13

10M ago35:13

35:13

Welcome to Birds of a Feather Talk Together, the ultimate birding podcast where we dive deep into the fascinating world of the Roseate Spoonbill. From their stunning pink feathers to their mysterious feeding habits, these iconic birds captivate birdwatchers and nature lovers alike. Join us as we explore their habitats, migration patterns, and conse…

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60: Double-crested Cormorant, drying their wings, swimming with heavy bones 57:50

10M ago57:50

57:50

This week we talk about the double-crested cormorant. We also answer a question on swans. Join John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart for Birds of a Feather Talk Together this week. Please send us your questions for us to answer as well! You can send them to [email protected] Make sure to follow us on instagram an…

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59: Darwin's Finches (they're tanagers!) with Kevin Burns 39:42

11M ago39:42

39:42

This week’s episode with Kevin Burns is on Darwin’s Finches. Kevin and Shannon’s research reclassified Darwin’s Finches as Tanagers, so we hear all about what the process was like, and learn more about Darwin’s Finches in this week’s episode. Kevin, an ornithologist and professor of biology at San Diego State University, goes way back with Shannon …

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58: Tanagers with Kevin Burns 46:32

11M ago46:32

46:32

This week we talk to Kevin Burns about Tanagers. Kevin, an ornithologist and professor of biology at San Diego State University, goes way back with Shannon and John, and led the research that reclassified what exactly a tanager is and what it isn’t. Many birds which have the common name Tanager, such as the scarlet tanager or western tanager, aren’…

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Teaser: We Are Down This Week - Exciting Episodes On The Horizon! 1:10

11M ago1:10

1:10

Howdy everyone! We are down this week but will be back next week with some new very exciting episodes. Take a listen for the full breakdown! Thanks for your patience and support, we'll be back next week and back on schedule with brand new episodes :) Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow: YouTube Instagram TikTok BlueSky…

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John Bates Shannon Hackett Rj Pole Amanda Marquart Podcasts

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