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The lot of the Big Lister is far from easy. In order to add the majority of the world’s 10,000 or so bird species to your life list, you need to dedicate your life to traveling to the ends of the Earth, mastering field ornithology for thousands of habitats, and unraveling the evolving mysteries of [...]

One hundred years ago this month, a true giant of conservation was born. While his origins may have been modest, his accomplishments over a long, storied life became the stuff of legend, particularly among the millions of modern birders he played no small role in creating. When it comes to biographies, could there possibly be [...]

From the outside looking in, birding and science seem to be two very different pursuits. Even enthusiasts themselves sometimes fail to relate the patient, inquisitive observation of avifauna conducted for recreational purposes to the same deliberate scrutiny administered under the auspices of professional ornithology. Many birders perpetrate citizen science without even knowing it when participating [...]

While the title of To See Every Bird on Earth by author Dan Koeppel may get fans of birding adventure narratives salivating, the book’s subtitle, A Father, a Son, and a Lifetime Obsession, hints at the human drama that carries this memoir beyond mere spotting and listing. I really enjoyed this book. Koeppel’s memoir describes [...]