Birdwatching as an Inclusive Community Experience

Zelle Tenorio recalls the defining moment they became a birder. During a walk organized by Chicago BIPOC Birders and the LGBTQ+ outdoor meetup group Out in Nature, they witnessed a Caspian tern catch a fish three years ago. Tenorio, who uses they/them pronouns, found the experience captivating. Since then, they have actively participated in birdwatching events, even honoring their first walk with a tattoo of a tern holding a fish.

Chicago BIPOC Birders has hosted bird walks and bird sits—events where participants observe birds from a single location—in various parks and outdoor spaces across the city since 2021. Recently, they organized a Pride Sit for LGBTQ+ birders and their families at South Shore’s Rainbow Beach Park. Picnic blankets adorned the beach, and binoculars and bird guides were distributed among attendees. Soon, someone spotted a starling soaring through the hazy sky, while another participant identified a sandpiper call.

Organizer Maddie Fernandez emphasizes the group’s mission to counteract stereotypes about birding being exclusive to “older white people.” She notes the need for a new affinity space within the Chicago birding community, as many members have felt alienated by traditional birding norms. Maddie, community engagement and programs manager at Urban Rivers, joined the group in 2022 and began organizing walks later on. The group welcomes everyone, from seasoned naturalists to newcomers.

Joice Kim, a student with a passion for birding, decided to attend her first event after following BIPOC Birders on Instagram. She wanted to connect with like-minded individuals. Rachel Flores, who has birded with the group for several years, shares her experiences of spotting nighthawks, kingfishers, herons, and even a bald eagle during these outings. She appreciates the broader perspective gained from joining group walks.

For Joseline Salmeron, the bird sit was a chance to celebrate Pride in a calm atmosphere beyond the typical party scene. She biked to the event from her home in Woodlawn and praised the group’s focus on organizing events on the South Side, where outdoor recreation groups are often less prominent.

During the sit, Fernandez explored the theme of birds’ expressions of gender and sexuality. Many animals, including birds, can change sexes, be intersex, or form same-sex parenting pairings. She believes these traits offer validation to queer individuals. As per the National Wildlife Federation, same-sex partnerships are documented in over 130 bird species. Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo even hosts a same-sex penguin couple.

Rachel Flores reflects on birds’ disregard for gender boundaries. She finds these creatures’ ability to live their lives freely as something inspiring and relatable for queer individuals.