Birding

Illustration of a crowd of people in a park looking at and photographing an owl in a tree with the Manhattan skyline in the distance.
News

Social Dilemma: What’s at Stake When We Propel Wild Birds to Stardom?

By Willy Blackmore
October 03, 2023 — Manhattan Bird Alert, a New York-based social media account, has fueled the rise of celebrity birds while attracting droves of new birders. But like many a story of unchecked fame, the phenomenon is also a cautionary tale.
A crane lowers its neck to forage in shallow water, with the rest of the flock in the background. The sunrise casts an orange glow on the foggy pond.
News

Don’t Sleep on the Other Sandhill Season

By Jen Monnier
October 02, 2023 — Spring may squeeze more birds into a single area, but autumn offers a cornucopia of crane-viewing options.
A woman with braids and a flower crown holds a large leaf up to her face and looks through a hole in the leaf.
News

Foraging Isn’t Just for the Birds

By Jenny McKee
September 30, 2023 — Harvesting wild food is a great way to deepen your native-plant know-how. Get started with help from expert and influencer Alexis Nikole Nelson.
News

A Binocular Guide for Growing Birders

By Susan Cosier
September 29, 2023 — A good pair of bins can wow kids, helping them to delight in birding. Here are five picks that make the grade.
News

Merlin Is Magical, but It Still Makes Mistakes

By Alice Sun
August 23, 2023 — As the popularity of the app’s Sound ID feature grows, so do concerns about how imperfect artificial intelligence impacts a trove of scientific data.
A young woman outside near a river holds a tripod and spotting scope and looks at the camera.
Books

Mya-Rose Craig’s Search for Family Amid an Extraordinary Life of World Birding

By Nicholas Cannariato
August 15, 2023 — Birdgirl, a memoir by the 21-year-old birder and activist, is an affecting story of a daughter seeking her parents as they, together, seek birds.
A rust and gray-colored bird stands on a mossy surface and looks at the camera.
News

How Training Secretive Birds Became a Boon for Tropical Forest Conservation

By Ryan F. Mandelbaum
August 10, 2023 — When a farming family in Ecuador “befriended” an elusive antpitta, they pioneered a new path for ecotourism.
A crowd watches a baseball game while a flock of birds circles overhead.
From Audubon Magazine

Why Baseball and Birding Go Together Like Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

By Joe Trezza
July 10, 2023 — America’s pastime presents plenty of opportunities to spot birds, according to sports writer Joe Trezza.
A bird feeder with a camera and microphone hangs outside.
Tech

These Smart Devices Can Identify the Birds Outside Your Window

By Jessica Leber
July 10, 2023 — The Bird Buddy and the Haikubox offer new ways to get excited about birding from home.
People wearing life vests look through binoculars while sitting in canoes on a river.
From Audubon Magazine

The Single Most Important Way to Make Your Binoculars Last

By Hannah Waters
June 30, 2023 — Experts share how to keep your foremost birding tool in working order and what to do if yours breaks.