Kenn Kaufman

Kenn Kaufman is an American author, naturalist, and artist renowned for his contributions to ornithology and nature writing. Born in South Bend, Indiana, he developed a passion for birds at an early age, eventually chronicling his teenage adventures traveling across North America in pursuit of avian species in his memoir "Kingbird Highway." Kaufman has authored fourteen books, including the acclaimed "Peterson Field Guide to Advanced Birding" and seven titles in his "Kaufman Field Guides" series, designed to make nature study accessible to beginners. His latest work, "The Birds That Audubon Missed," was published in May 2024.

Kaufman's career spans decades as a tour leader, writer, editor, and illustrator, with a focus on demystifying bird identification for enthusiasts. After leading global birding tours, he transitioned to full-time writing and illustration, collaborating with the National Audubon Society as a field editor. His paintings have been featured in prestigious exhibitions, and his dedication to conservation and education has earned him numerous accolades, including the Eisenmann Medal and the American Birding Association's lifetime achievement award—twice. A Fellow of the American Ornithological Society, Kaufman resides in Oak Harbor, Ohio, with his wife, Kimberly Kaufman, a fellow naturalist. Together, they contribute as birding experts for "Birds & Blooms Magazine."