Birder You Should Know - Christina Harber
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Chicago. Other than about eight years away for school (Urbana-Champaign, San Diego), I’ve been in or around Chicago my whole life.
When did you know you were hooked on birding?
After very casually birdwatching for a few years, I went to the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival in 2016. I went on a bird walk without really understanding the phenomenon of migration and without any knowledge of warblers. It was an amazing day of warblers, tanagers, towhees, and many birds that I had never seen before. I consider it one of the best days of my life. After that, I was hooked.
What is your favorite bird song?
The White-throated Sparrow. In the spring of 2020, it was really quiet outside. Less traffic, fewer voices. I remember hearing a lot of White-throated Sparrows, which I had never noticed before. It was really peaceful.
Where is your favorite spot to bird in Chicago?
Jackson Park. I live within walking distance, so it’s my go-to birding spot. There’s also some green space just across the street west of the Museum of Science and Industry that gets pretty warbly during migration, so if I don’t have time to go all the way into Jackson Park, I’ll just stop there during a lunch break or before work.
Who are your birding buddies?
Within the last year, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting birders across the Chicagoland area who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color). We’ve formed a network, and whenever anyone wants to go birding, they just put the word out and anyone from the network can show up! It’s so important to have this space, and I am so incredibly grateful to be part of it. It’s been a game changer in my life.
What is your birding pet peeve?
Excessive playback or audio stimulus. I’m happy to see and hear whatever presents itself to me that day.
What’s the dream location you’d love to bird?
I’ve had my eye on a tour in Portugal that covers both birdwatching and wine tasting. It sounds like heaven. I really want to see a bee-eater.
What do you do when you aren’t birding?
I’m at home raising two birds of my own. I have two rescue parrots, a Sun Conure and a Green-cheeked Conure (or parakeets, if you look them up in a field guide). They require a lot of attention and like to sit on the sofa with me while we cheer on our Chicago sports teams.
Are there other plants or animals that interest you almost as much as birds?
Rabbits are the only other animal that is 100 percent welcome to eat whatever they want in my backyard, and I will definitely take out the binoculars to watch them.