Jessica Leber

Deputy Editor, Audubon magazine
About

Jess Leber is deputy editor for Audubon magazine. Prior to Audubon, she was a staff editor and reporter at a variety of publications, including Fast Company, MIT Technology Review, ClimateWire, and Oceans Deeply. 

Articles by Jessica Leber

Smoke from Wildfires Is a Growing Health Threat to Both People and Birds
September 15, 2026 — Catastrophic wildfires are stalling decades of clean air progress. Now scientists are asking: How can we help birds navigate a hazier future?
Conservation News
People with binoculars in a raised, covered pavilion surrounded by lush, tropical gardens and trees.
Do Nations With the Most Birds Attract the Most Bird Tourists?
October 03, 2025 — Bird-rich Colombia has seen explosive bird tourism growth, according to a new study that sifted through eBird data. But not all tropical nations are fulfilling their bird tourism potential.
Birding News
A woman wears an ornate feather cape made with beads and turkey feathers.
Wild Turkeys Once Again Feature in Traditional Native Fashions
September 19, 2025 — Tribes across the continent have long valued the species’ feathers. Over the last few years, several artists have created modern works that showcase these cultural garments.
Arts & Culture
Grid of three photos showing physical features of Wild Turkeys.
Get to Know a Wild Turkey’s Weird Anatomy
September 19, 2025 — Snoods, beards, and wattles—oh my!
Bird Questions and Facts
A group of male turkeys, feathers puffed out, walk side by side in a suburban front yard.
How to Defeat a Bully—If That Bully Is a Wild Turkey
September 19, 2025 — Our step-by-step guide to fending off an aggressive gobbler about town.
About Birds
A mother Wild Turkey hen perches on a sturdy branch with her wings spread, protecting her small chicks.
The Wild Turkey Is a Comeback Bird We Can’t Take for Granted
September 19, 2025 — From bustling towns to rural woodlands, turkeys seem to be everywhere these days. But despite being an undeniable conservation success, questions still loom about the fate of this beloved yet confounding bird.
Feature Stories
An aerial view of the Platte River diversion in Nebraska.
On Nebraska’s Platte River, a Migratory Bird Oasis Is Caught Up in a Water Rights Fight
June 20, 2025 — For the last few years, conservationists have fought a precedent-setting proposal to send excess water from the basin south to another part of the state. They argue the region has none to spare.
Conservation News
A gang of menacing turkeys in a city park.
When Wild Turkeys Attack: How to Survive and Thrive In a Great Gobbler World
November 22, 2024 — Just remember: Don't turn around.
News
These Are the Seabirds Most Vulnerable to Plastic Pollution
October 02, 2023 — As more marine plastic accumulates, the biology of some ocean-going birds puts them at particular risk. Scientists can now pinpoint which species may face the highest exposure.
Field Notes
A bird feeder with a camera and microphone hangs outside.
These Smart Devices Can Identify the Birds Outside Your Window
July 10, 2023 — The Bird Buddy and the Haikubox offer new ways to get excited about birding from home.
Tech