Maddie Burakoff

Associate Editor, Audubon magazine

Articles by Maddie Burakoff

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
A hummingbird hovers with its long beak in a bright pink flower.
Birds Saved Melissa Hafting in a Time of Grief. She Wants to Save Them in Return.
July 30, 2024 — In her debut book, ‘Dare to Bird,’ the photographer and ecologist shares how the beauty of the avian world helped her cope with the loss of her parents.
Books
A large painting of a Northern Goshawk on the side of a brick building.
Bring the Audubon Mural Project to Your Town
July 15, 2024 — For the past decade, the initiative has used public art to showcase birds threatened by climate change. Now, communities are putting their own local spin on the effort—and yours could be next.
Audubon Mural Project
A Eurasian Eagle-Owl sits on a tree branch looking off to his right, with a squirrel on the branch behind him.
City Life is Hard for Raptors. Can Removing Rat Poison Make it Easier?
June 06, 2024 — Birds of prey have long been casualties in the war on rodents. In the wake of celebrity bird deaths like Flaco the Owl's, advocates are pushing for us to be better neighbors.
Conservation News
A few copies of the Alameda Sun sit on a mostly empty newspaper rack.
The Local Journalism Crisis Is Bad News for the Planet
May 21, 2024 — Newspapers across the country are dying off at a rapid pace—a loss that carries real risks for their communities and the environment.
News
A calling loon is silhouetted against rippling water reflecting the golden light of sunset.
How the Common Loon's Eerie Call Took Over Pop Music
April 23, 2024 — The beloved bird has wailed its way through decades of hits. It’s time we give the species its royalties.
Arts & Culture