Kenn Kaufman

Field Editor, Audubon magazine
About

Kenn Kaufman is a renowned bird expert, author of multiple field guides, an accomplished nature artist, and the field editor for Audubon magazine.   

Articles by Kenn Kaufman

A Common Nighthawk flies overhead in front of a crescent moon.
The Common Nighthawk Is Your Gateway Bird to the Weird, Wonderful World of Nightjars
June 24, 2026 — Visible at dusk, the species is more readily seen than its more elusive nocturnal cousins, but all of these oddballs are worth the effort of seeing—or at least hearing—writes Kenn Kaufman.
Birding
Ask Kenn: Can I Identify Woodpeckers by Their Drumming?
March 30, 2026 — They can tell one another apart, so you’ve got a shot.
Bird Questions and Facts
Two Brown Noddies perch on a Brown Pelican in the water, one on its back and one on its head.
Our Favorite Fascinating Bird Behaviors From the 2025 Audubon Photo Awards
January 30, 2026 — Take a peek into the always entertaining lives of birds, from intimate moments with mates to fierce fights for territory.
Audubon Photography Awards
People stand and look at art pieces depicting birds in a crowded museum.
Every Year This Wisconsin Museum Hosts the Best Modern Bird Art in the World
October 01, 2025 — The annual “Birds in Art” show at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with the biggest, most impressive exhibition yet. Take a behind-the-scenes tour with Audubon magazine Field Editor and avian artist Kenn Kaufman.
Arts & Culture
A gull in flight in a cloudy blue sky.
More Gulls, More Vireos: Latest Shakeup of North American Bird Names Splits Familiar Species
August 20, 2025 — Audubon field editor Kenn Kaufman breaks down this year’s checklist changes from the American Ornithological Society.
Bird Names & Taxonomy
A woman stands on a rocky shore holding binoculars and looking into the distance.
Behind the (Birding) Scenes on the Show ‘The Residence’
April 08, 2025 — Bird expert Kenn Kaufman shares his experience as a consultant for the birdy new Netflix series.
Movies & TV
Ask Kenn: How Do Birds Keep Themselves Clean?
March 24, 2025 — Staying fresh is a matter of survival in a bird’s life—and a treat for birders to observe.
Bird Questions and Facts
Old photo of a gull in flight over water.
Remembering ‘The Bird of the Century,’ a Half-Century Later
March 03, 2025 — In March of 1975, an extremely rare Ross's Gull was confirmed for the first time in the Lower 48. The sighting and the frenzy that ensued was a watershed moment for a burgeoning birding community.
Birding News
A group of coots huddled closely together in a pile, surrounded by a completely white background of snow.
Our Favorite Fascinating Bird Behaviors From the 2024 Audubon Photo Awards
January 14, 2025 — Birds are always up to something, and these entries captured an array of avians doing everything from impaling prey to drumming away.
Audubon Photography Awards
A Redpoll perches on a pink plant eating its fuzzy white flowers.
Lumping Redpolls and Splitting Seabirds: This Year's Updates to North American Bird Names
August 07, 2024 — The American Ornithological Society recently announced its checklist changes for 2024—and there’s quite a bit for birders to catch up on.
Bird Names & Taxonomy