Jonathan Alderfer

Jonathan Alderfer is an American Wildlife biologist and author of six books about bird, mammal, and reptile species in the United States and around the world. He is best known for his book, A Field Guide to the Birds of North America, which was first published in 1987 and is currently in its sixth edition. Alderfer's work has been recognized by the International Ornithological Congress and has been adapted into a movie, A Birder’s... Guide to Everything.

Alderfer was born in 1947 in Eldersburg, Maryland. He grew up in Westminster, Maryland, where he embraced his passion for nature and animals. Alderfer attended Beloit College in Wisconsin, where he studied psychology and zoology. After graduating, he traveled west to pursue his degree in wildlife biology at the University of Wyoming. During his time in Wyoming, Alderfer developed his birding skills through trail hiking and camping trips in the wilderness.

After completing his studies at the University of Wyoming, Alderfer worked as a wildlife biologist for the Fish and Wildlife Service in California. He then moved back east to work as a wildlife biologist at the National Zoo in Washington D.C., where he documented some of the lesser known bird species in the United States – his first book, A Field Guide to the Birds of North America, was born from this research.

After the publication of A Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Alderfer wrote five other books about bird species, mammals, and reptiles. His research for these books took him around the world. Alderfer has traveled to China, India, Europe, and South America, as well as many other countries in pursuit of his love of wildlife and knowledge.

In addition to his books, Alderfer has also been involved in several conservation projects. He's worked in partnership with the National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, the Nature Conservancy and other organizations in the United States and abroad. These endeavors have helped to protect American habitats and species in danger, and have led to the preservation of clean air and water.

Throughout his career, Alderfer's work has been deeply rooted in the spirit of conservation, and he uses his writing to inspire people to embrace this mission. He hopes to provoke future generations to take action and protect the environment.

In 2003, Alderfer was awarded the prestigious National Wildlife Conservation Award from the US Fish and Wildlife Service for his efforts to conserve species and habitats in the United States and around the world. He was also awarded the Roberts Eddy Endowment for Bird Conservation from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in 2015 for his impressive contributions to the field of bird conservation.

For Alderfer, conservation is more than just a job; it's a passion. His dedication to the environment and wildlife is evident in his writing, and his legacy of inspiring action and conservation will live on for generations.