This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re joined by birder Ryan Shostack to talk about the incredible Black-backed Woodpecker—and how birding can be more inclusive for everyone.

The Black-backed Woodpecker is a fascinating species known for its unique relationship with burned forests, and Ryan shares his firsthand experiences seeing this bird multiple times in the wild. We explore its behavior, habitat, and why it’s such a special find for birders.

Ryan also opens up about his experience birding on the autism spectrum (including Asperger’s), and what birding means to him. It leads to a thoughtful and honest conversation about accessibility, inclusion, and how the birding community can better support people of all backgrounds and abilities.

With Shannon’s own experience with hearing loss, this is a topic we’ve been wanting to explore for a while—and this conversation really delivers. We also go on a few fun tangents (including wolves), making this a wide-ranging and meaningful episode.

As always, it’s Field Museum ornithologists John Bates and Shannon Hackett, alongside RJ and Amanda learning right along with you.

If you’re interested in birding, bird behavior, inclusion in nature, or just love great conversations about the outdoors—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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