JACKSON, Wyo. — A rapt audience listened to well-known birder Christian Cooper share stories of the birds he’s seen across the world Tuesday night at the Center.
Cooper, author of “Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in a Natural World,” appeared at a free event hosted by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation and the Jackson Hole Bird and Nature Club. He is known for his environmental advocacy and commitment to making green spaces accessible to underserved communities.
To kick off his presentation, Cooper showed slides of colorful birds he’s encountered in his extensive travels. Each new bird photo elicited audible “oohs” and “aahs” from the audience, estimated to be about 350 attendees. He outlined his seven favorite elements of birding, which included witnessing the physical beauty of birds, time spent in the outdoors and the “unicorn effect,” referring to the phenomenon of finally observing a bird that one has only read about in field guides.
Cooper shared that he experienced the unicorn effect on a trip to Central America when he finally saw a harpy eagle through his own binoculars. (On his personal Instagram account, Cooper described another instance of the unicorn effect he experienced in Grand Teton National Park upon encountering a great gray owl.)
Central to Cooper’s presentation was his mission to invite people of all races, orientations and abilities to find joy in the natural world. He argued that expanding inclusion in the birding community is vital to protecting the world’s bird populations, suggesting that if only older white people care about birds, the number of active bird advocates will eventually dwindle.
“If we want to protect the world’s diversity of birds, we need a diversity of people who care about birds,” a slide in Cooper’s presentation stated.
Cooper discussed other birders he’s come across in his professional travels, including a mother and daughter working to protect burrowing owls from heavy farm machinery, and a blind birder who relies on his ears to identify different birdsong. He noted that birders of different abilities lead to the adoption of the moniker “birders” as an evolution from “birdwatcher,” since not all birders rely on their eyes. He added that “bird outings” has become the preferred term for birding expeditions in place of “bird walks” due to differences in mobility.
As he is based in New York City, Cooper encouraged Wyomingites to get in touch with their senators to advocate for bird protections, pointing out the state’s favorable ratio of residents to senators compared to states with larger populations.
“It was incredible to see so many people show up to listen to Christian speak,” Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation Development and Communications Manager Ash Hillary told Buckrail via email. “We had seasoned birders and curious newcomers, young and old, locals and those who traveled just for the event. The goal was to let people know that birding is for everyone, and Christian went above and beyond to prove that. As Christian says, ‘Everyone deserves every pleasure that birding has to offer.’ After the talk, multiple people told me how inspiring and fun it was and that it made birding feel like something they could truly appreciate and be a part of.”
