Who's Kenn? Simply put, Kenn is a national treasure. A renowned birder, author, and conservationist, Kenn Kaufman has spent his life dedicated to observing birds, reading about birds, writing about birds, and sharing the world of birds with others. With all that birdy knowledge in his brain, he also acts as the field editor for Audubon magazine. So, whenever we have a bird question stumping us around the office, we just ask Kenn. And now you can, too! If you have a bird or birding question you'd like Kenn to answer, leave them on Facebook or send us an email. Maybe next month you'll get the kind of thorough, thoughtful, and even humorous response from Kenn we've grown so fond of over the years. —The Editors
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KK: Camouflage is everywhere in nature. Many creatures wear colors or patterns that help them avoid being seen. But what about us? When we head into nature to go birding, should we be camouflaged as well?
Birds have such keen eyesight and are so alert to movements that it’s hard to escape their notice entirely. Duck hunters and wildlife photographers may put on full camo and hide inside blinds. But when we’re engaged in normal birding activities, birds certainly see us. Then the question becomes: Are wild birds more alarmed by some clothing colors than by others?
Based on careful observations and scientific studies, the short answer seems to be: Yes, sometimes. In an Arizona canyon, hummingbird researcher Sheri Williamson observed that a nesting pair of Eared Quetzals became agitated whenever someone wearing bright white came up the trail. In a winter Texas survey, some songbirds moved farther away when the observer wore an orange vest. Some studies have measured the distance at which birds will flush (called “flight initiation distance”) when approached by people wearing different colors. In a rural area of China, birds would flush farther away when the person was wearing red than if they wore black, white, or green. A forest songbird in Thailand would tolerate closer approach by camouflage-clad people than by those wearing black or orange.
But the effect seems to vanish in sites where birds are habituated to human presence. For example, in city parks, at coastal fishing piers, or on boardwalks at popular wildlife refuges, birds of all kinds may allow close approach, regardless of what we wear. No dress code is necessary for birding at such spots, and that's one reason why these are good places to lead field trips for beginners.
A complication is the fact that birds can see colors at the ultraviolet end of the spectrum, colors invisible to humans. What looks drab to us may shine like a beacon to the avian eye. This is especially true for clothing washed in detergents containing optical brighteners, which is the case for many popular brands. Serious birders may want to seek out specific brands that avoid the use of such chemicals.
A further complication for travelers: In several countries, it is illegal for civilians to wear camouflage. Unless you are very certain about the laws in nations you plan to visit, it’s best to leave camo gear at home. And for a final caution, avoid being too well camouflaged if you take to the woods during hunting seasons. A bright orange cap may be a lifesaver in that situation.
One can assume, then, that anything goes when we’re birding at the duck pond in a crowded park. But in wilder habitats, the slim evidence so far suggests we’re better off wearing muted colors that won’t contrast sharply with the surroundings. The birds will still see us, but they’ll be less likely to fly away before we see them.
This story originally ran in the Fall 2026 issue. To receive our print magazine, become a member by making a donation today.
