This episode, we’re joined by Brian Sullivan—birder, photographer, and co-leader of one of the most transformative projects in the birding world: eBird. From the earliest red-tailed hawk obsessions to building a global platform used by millions, Brian shares stories that bridge fieldwork, data, and wonder.

Highlights include:

How eBird grew from a niche experiment to a cornerstone of global ornithology
Red-tailed hawks, pelagics, and what it means to really know a species
The evolution of Birds of the World and where bird data is headed next
Balancing tech, fieldwork, and the joy of birdwatching

Come for the redtails and migration maps…stay for the big-picture vision that’s shaping the future of birding.

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Inside eBird: The world’s biggest birding project with Brian Sullivan