People

Maddie Burakoff

Associate Editor, Audubon magazine

Articles by Maddie Burakoff

A group of people with binoculars in a rocky desert landscape.
On Public Lands, Federal Staffing Chaos Threatens Fragile Ecosystems
June 04, 2025 — Layoffs and uncertainty across the already weakened workforce could cause lasting damage to wildlife.
Conservation News
A male Anna's Hummingbird perches on a red hummingbird feeder.
This Hummingbird Rapidly Evolved a Longer Beak to Slurp More Nectar from Feeders, New Study Finds
May 29, 2025 — The 20th century expansion of nectar feeders drove Anna’s Hummingbirds to spread across California—and transformed the birds along the way.
Bird Science
Four researchers kneeling in sand secure a Brown Pelican by its beak and prepare to swab its mouth.
North Carolina's Cape Fear River Is a ‘Forever Chemical’ Hotspot—What Does That Mean for Its Birds and People?
March 25, 2025 — Amid mounting global health concerns about PFAS, communities living along the waterway must grapple with how contamination is affecting life on the river. Yet as hard as it is to conduct health studies on humans, it’s even harder with wild animals.
Feature Stories
Ayana Johnson on a stage in front of a video wall featuring colorful fish and coral.
Meet the Climate Leader Who Wants You to Abandon Hope—and Get to Work
March 24, 2025 — Marine biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, “a breath of fresh air” for the climate movement, is helping people envision and build a brighter future.
Climate
A bright yellow meadowlark perched in a sagebrush plant.
A Sweeping New Report Shows U.S. Birds Declining Sharply Across a Range of Habitats
March 13, 2025 — Scientists checked in on species all over the country for the latest State of the Birds report. Nearly everywhere they looked, birds were struggling—including some that have been resilient in the past.
Conservation Challenges
Four sparrows eat seed at a feeder.
What Does the Avian Flu Surge Mean for Your Bird Feeders?
February 24, 2025 — As H5N1 spreads rapidly, wild birds remain at risk. Here’s what to know about the outbreak and how to keep your feathered visitors safe.
Bird Feeding and Care
A fossil in rock of a bird skeleton.
Terror Birds, Giga-Geese, and the Oldest Birds of Prey? 2024’s Fascinating Avian Fossil Finds
December 20, 2024 — From mega leg bones to tiny, perfect skulls, fossils this year revealed crucial insights into bird evolution.
News
Illustration of a bird flying through snowflakes and autumn leaves.
Take On a Year of Avian Action With Our 2025 Bird Challenge Calendar
December 12, 2024 — Follow these monthly resolutions to grow as a birder—and a bird advocate—throughout the seasons.
News
People with binoculars walking in an urban park.
Science Is Revealing the Social Disparities at the Root of Urban Ecosystems
November 22, 2024 — When it comes to biodiversity, research shows not all neighborhoods are created equal. They’re defined by injustices past and present.
Field Notes
Illustration of people gardening and installing solar panels on a roof while surrounded by birds and nature.
The American Climate Corps Puts a Fresh Spin on the New Deal
September 19, 2024 — Nearly a century ago, the Civilian Conservation Corps transformed the country. Can a new youth workforce make a difference in today’s crisis?
Field Notes