Black bird watchers have always faced increased barriers to participation in our wonderful hobby- from condescension and racism from enfranchised birders, to racist bird names, to the outright threats to life and limb that they experience just by being outside in public spaces. Birding's big moment of racial introspection actually started on May 25th, the same day that George Floyd was murdered. Christian Cooper, a highly regarded birdwatcher, was harassed by a white woman while he was birdwatching in Central Park. He asked her to leash her dog, as is the rule in that section of the park, and the woman, Amy Cooper, threatened to, and then did, call the police on him, telling them that there was "an African American man threatening her." Given what would happen later that day in Minneapolis, and what has happened for decades, it's easy to see that a phone call like that amounts to a serious attempt to physically harm. Fortunately, Chris recorded the exchange, and it went viral.
Here's the tweet, by his sister, that kicked things off
And here's a good article about what happened next
What's really interesting, however, is how the Black birding community responded. Very quickly, a couple of key figures (who we'll talk about in a moment), organized a series of online events designated #BlackBirdersWeek
Participation was enormous. There are many articles, some of which were written by Black participants in the event, which I'll link to at the end of the post, if you want to read more about how it went. It was a week that, for me, was inspiring and encouraging. At a time when every day seemed to bring a new piece of bad news for the non-white people of America, it was a relief to be able to log in to Twitter and see people sharing their love and passion for birds, even despite all the obstacles they have faced to do so. It was also a week where I got a lot of awesome new people to follow. And that's what today's blog is about- I'll be recommending some Black birders to follow on twitter, although I'll link to their content elsewhere as well. Some I've known about for a long time, and some I was only just exposed to through this recent online event. Either way, they produce some incredible bird content.
@Tykee_James
One of the co-organizers of Black Birders Week. Here here is talking about it for The Franklin Institute He also hosts a podcast on the Anchor network called On Word for Wildlife.
The BEST bird picture I have to #PostABird for #BlackBirdersWeek - the non-migratory, non-native, but almost ubiquitous European Starling. This one seems to ponder: "Why am I am here? And how can I make the most of it"...I can honestly relate to that pic.twitter.com/IuUHFFn4TW— TykeeJames✊πΎ (@Tykee_James) June 1, 2020
@ChidiPaige
Scientist and board game designer. Has a bird identification based game called Bird Wiser
I got a lot of questions about this picture. So throwback to an Osprey banding field trip to Patuxent River Park-Jug Bay Natural Area in Maryland with @NewarkMuseum youth birding team years ago. We banded ospreys, identified their gender and weighed them. Just amazing! #PostABird pic.twitter.com/3PGq0hwZoh— Chidi Paige (@ChidiPaige) June 1, 2020
@Kitundu
Incredible photographer, instrument maker, and artist. This a premium follow if you like beautiful images. Bay Area local as well. Check out his webpage
I’m just going to post from time to time to break up your twitter feeds with something less apocalyptic than the news of the day (as long as you are not a ground dwelling rodent). Young Red-tailed Hawk with a freshly caught gopher. Alta Plaza Park, San Francisco. #urbanraptors pic.twitter.com/gXsSdEKpUB— Kitundu (@birdturntable) June 2, 2020
@AlHendiify
One of the greatest display names, just a good poster.
The animophs been lowkey ready to ride pic.twitter.com/CzoNIvYCTp— David AttenBruh (@AlHendiify) June 17, 2020
@Ranger_Bri
One of the co-organizers. Naturalist and science educator
Surprise! It's Day 2 of #BlackBirdersWeek and we want you to get involved! We challenge everyone to #PostABird!— ranger briπ»π΄π¦π¦ (@Ranger_Bri) June 1, 2020
Snap a pic on your phone or camera of any local bird and share with me and @BlackAFinSTEM. Blurry pics are ok! Here's my Killdeer to kick it offπ Lets see yours! pic.twitter.com/yVtFpcZDk3
@bellzisbirding
Another one of the co-organizers, another one of the all time great display names . Wildlife biologist
My sweet sweet quail children from grad school. Yep I’m a quail person π I love galliforms #PostABird pic.twitter.com/L5DPag3a2u— Richard Cissel (she/her) (@bellzisbirding) June 1, 2020
@hood_naturalist
Corina Newsome, one of the co-organizers. Quite a few publications on her website, so check that out. Here's a great interview with her from The Cut, Black Birding is About Hope
Welcome to DAY TWO of #BlackBirdersWeek!— Corina Newsome (@hood_naturalist) June 1, 2020
Today is the #PostABird Challenge, and we at @BlackAFinSTEM want EVERYONE on board! Share a bird pic or bird fact with hashtag #PostABird.
Fun fact: Turkey Vulture stomach acid is so strong they can eat anthrax and not get sick! (#tb) pic.twitter.com/DdZg7AIw4X
@1blackbirder
J. Drew Lanham. Writer, poet, and academic. Check out his books, and his many articles across the internet. 9 Rules for the Black Birdwatcher for Orion Magazine, from 2013. Drew has a number of good articles on this topic, here are a few more.
The lives we lead inspire the words we write and read. Actually wrote this two days before Christian Cooper's Central Park encounter. Thinking on so much. Birds, race and place. A racist plague. Yep #BirdingWhileBlack is indeed a thing. Read on please.https://t.co/qGnywcAjUH— J. Drew Lanham (@1blackbirder) May 27, 2020
@JeffreyMWard
Jeffrey Ward, one of our birding celebrities. In fact, Jeffrey is famous enough that I have made a .gif of him. You know who else this is true for? David Attenborough only.
So there you go. It's not a complete list, or a perfect list, but it's a place to start. I hope you'll join me in working to make birding a more inclusive hobby. If you're white, like I am, it's worth taking the time to reflect on your privledge, and what you can do to include anti-racist action both in your life, and in your hobbies and interests.Birds! I made it my goal about 4 years ago to learn about what I can do to protect them and their habitats. #actuallivingscientist pic.twitter.com/WEGphUfc4L— Jeffrey Ward (@JeffreyMWard) February 5, 2017
Additional Readings
Chris talks about his experience on NPR
Sandra Guzman on the dangers of birding while Black
9 Rules for the Black Birdwatcher by J. Drew Lanham for Orion Magazine, from 2013. Drew has a number of good articles on this topic, here are a few more.
Audubon's Report on Black Birders Week
Audubon also hosted a few sessions on Birding While Black on their Facebook page. Here's session1 and 2
Everyone Can Watch the Birds, in National Geographic, about Black Birders Week
Why Every Environmentalist Should Be Anti-Racist by Leah Thomas for Vogue
https://twitter.com/melodyMcooper/status/1264965252866641920?s=20
https://twitter.com/melodyMcooper/status/1264965252866641920?s=20
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