Though the sport of birding is more a collaborative effort of many, there are a few people that stand out. These individuals have made various notable contributions to both the sport of birding as well as birding publications. These four have helped to increase the understanding and further the interest to many enthusiasts. It has to be noted though that many have contributed to the world of birding, and that these mentioned individuals are just a few in a long list.



Roger Tory Peterson

Roger Tory Peterson was truly an inspiration to bird enthusiasts everywhere. Peterson was born in Jamestown, New York in 1908. He went onto further his education at the Art Students League and National Academy of Design. He then went on to teach school in Massachusetts. In 1904 when Peterson was only 26 years old, he wrote the first modern field guide titled "Field Guide to the Bird" which resulted in inspiring many enthusiasts. It actually sold out its first printing in the first week alone.

Peterson went on to either write or edit close to 50 books on the topic of nature in one form or another. Peterson revolutionized the modern bird guides with a sense of clarity and understanding that failed to exist before him. Peterson was awarded every kind of American award existing for his studies and literature in natural science, ornithology, and conservation. Not to mention all the other awards and diplomas presented to him from both within the United States and beyond. Many have described him as one of monumental significance in the promotion of all living creatures and nature. Peterson died in 1996 while in his home in Connecticut.

Kenn Kaufman

Kenn Kaufman was born in 1954 in South Bend, Indiana. Kaufman had a love of birds from the early age of six. When he was sixteen he so loved the field of birding and was inspired by greats in the field such as Roger Tory Peterson that he withdrew from high school and began to travel North America in search of birds. In 1973 he set the precedent recording as many as 671 bird species in North America in as little as one year. He was the first to complete such a feat. He journey across North America encompassed around eighty thousand miles. A detail of his journey is recorded in "Kingbird Highway."

Kaufman's main focus was on that of creating and expanding birding field guides. A few pieces of his work include "Kaufman Focus Guides: Birds of North America"," Lives of American Birds", and "The Peterson Guide to Advanced Birding". In 1992 he was recognized by the American Birding Association when he was awarded the Ludlow Griscom Award for Outstanding Contributions to American Ornithology.