Program: Discovery, Rediscovery, and The Birds That Audubon Missed

Two centuries ago, a handful of naturalists trekked around eastern North America, competing to find the last few bird species that were still unknown to the European tradition of science. What was that experience like for them? Kenn Kaufman delved into that period in history while researching his newest book, The Birds That Audubon Missed, and found surprising connections to our own time. Despite all the changes in the world, the adventures of those pioneers have many parallels in the experience of birding today. In this illustrated lecture, Kaufman will celebrate discovery and rediscovery, the lure of the unknown, and the endless power of birds to delight and amaze us.

Kenn Kaufman burst onto the national birding scene as a teenager in the 1970s, hitch-hiking all over North America in pursuit of all the bird species he could find — an adventure chronicled in his cult classic  book Kingbird Highway. After several years as a professional tour leader, taking birding groups to all seven continents, Kaufman transitioned to a career as a writer, illustrator, and editor. He is among the youngest persons ever to receive the highest honor of the American Birding Association — and the only person to receive it twice. He has authored or co-authored thirteen books about birds and nature, including his own series of Kaufman Field Guides. Since the 1980s, he has been an editor and consultant on birds for the National Audubon Society, and he’s been a Fellow of the American Ornithological Society since 2013.

Questions? Contact our Programs Chair.