Christian Cooper and Cristopher Joe watch the swallow-tailed kites dance in the air above the freshly-mowed hay fields. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_030.jpg
Mark Bailey and Chrstian Cooper prepare to saw into a pine tree to fix up a home for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_019.jpg
Christian Cooper admires Independence, Auburn's honorary War Eagle, before her pre-gameday flight practice. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_018.jpg
Christian Cooper admires Independence, Auburn's honorary War Eagle, before her pre-gameday flight practice. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_017.jpg
Christian Cooper admires Independence, Auburn's honorary War Eagle, during her pre-gameday flight practice with raptor trainer Amanda Sweeney. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_016.jpg
Christian Cooper admires Independence, Auburn's honorary War Eagle, during her pre-gameday flight practice with raptor trainer Amanda Sweeney. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_015.jpg
Christian Cooper admires Independence, Auburn's honorary War Eagle, during her pre-gameday flight practice with raptor trainer Amanda Sweeney. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_014.jpg
Christian Cooper admires Independence, Auburn's honorary War Eagle, during her pre-gameday flight practice with raptor trainer Amanda Sweeney. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_013.jpg
Christian Cooper assists rator trainer, Amanda Sweeney, with Independence's pre-gameday flight practice. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_006.jpg
Christian Cooper assists rator trainer, Amanda Sweeney, with Independence's pre-gameday flight practice. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_005.jpg
Christian Cooper assists rator trainer, Amanda Sweeney, with Independence's pre-gameday flight practice. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_004.jpg
Christian Cooper assists rator trainer, Amanda Sweeney, with Independence's pre-gameday flight practice. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_003.jpg
Mark Bailey climbs up a pine tree to fix up a home for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker while Christian Cooper assists from below. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_001.jpg
Christian Cooper and Cristopher Joe watch the swallow-tailed kites dance in the air above the freshly-mowed hay fields. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_031.jpg
Avian technician Bret Nainoa Mossman hands a Hawaiian forest bird to Christian Cooper at the Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_025.jpg
Zoo supervisor Kyle Arakaki and Christian Cooper walk to the ʻalalā enclosure at the Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_029.jpg
Zoo supervisor Kyle Arakaki and Christian Cooper walk to the ʻalalā enclosure at the Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo. (National Geographic for Disney /Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_030.jpg
Christian Cooper and Bret Nainoa Mossman look for rare forest birds at the Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_027.jpg
Christian Cooper and Bret Nainoa Mossman look for rare forest birds at the Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_026.jpg
Christian Cooper and Bret Nainoa Mossman look for rare forest birds at the Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_028.jpg
Christian Cooper feeds a Hawaiʻi ʻamakihi held by avian technician Bret Nainoa Mossman at the Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_023.jpg
Christian Cooper writes down measurements as avian technician Bret Nainoa Mossman examines a forest bird at the Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_022.jpg
Christian Cooper smells a Hawaiʻi ʻamakihi held by avian technician Bret Nainoa Mossman at the Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_021.jpg
Christian Cooper writes down measurements as avian technician Bret Nainoa Mossman examines a forest bird at the Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_020.jpg
Christian Cooper listens to avian technician Bret Nainoa Mossman explaining the fight against avian malaria at the Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_024.jpg
Christian Cooper erects a tall mist net at the Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_018.jpg
Christian Cooper watches avian technician Bret Nainoa Mossman release a bird from a mist net at the Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_019.jpg
Christian Cooper and avian technician Bret Nainoa Mossman play bird calls to lure in Hawaiian forest birds at the Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_017.jpg
Christian Cooper and avian technician Bret Nainoa Mossman prepare to raise mistnets to catch Hawaiian forest birds at the Pu'u Maka'ala Natural Area Reserve. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_016.jpg
Biologist Raymond McGuire and Christian Cooper watch recently released Nēnē at the Hawaii Island Nēnē Sanctuary. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_015.jpg
Biologist Raymond McGuire and Christian Cooper release rehabilitated Nēnē at the Hawaii Island Nēnē Sanctuary. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_014.jpg
Biologist Raymond McGuire, Christian Cooper and wildlife rehabilitator Heidi Franz carry rehabilitated Nēnē at the Hawaii Island Nēnē Sanctuary. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_013.jpg
Christian Cooper holds a rehabilitated Nēnē for it to be banded at the Hawaii Island Nēnē Sanctuary. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_012.jpg
Christian Cooper mows grass at the Hawaii Island Nēnē Sanctuary. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_011.jpg
Biologist Raymond McGuire and Christian Cooper greet the rehabilitated Nēnē that are about to be released at the Hawaii Island Nēnē Sanctuary. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_010.jpg
Christian Cooper mows grass at the Hawaii Island Nēnē Sanctuary. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_009.jpg
Biologist Raymond McGuire and Christian Cooper look through binoculars at wild Nēnē at the Hawaii Island Nēnē Sanctuary. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_008.jpg
Christian Cooper surveys the Hawaii Island Nēnē Sanctuary. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_007.jpg
Christian Cooper prepares to feed baby manu-o-Kū with the help of wildlife rehabilitator Heidi Franz at the Hawaii Wildlife Center. (National Geographic for Disney/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23105_ExtraordinaryBirder_005.jpg
Christian Cooper and Cristopher Joe take in the vibrant birdlife on the Alabama River. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_029.jpg
Christian Cooper and Mark Bailey observe the endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers coming back to their pine tree cavities at dusk. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_027.jpg
Christian Cooper and Mark Bailey observe the endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers coming back to their pine tree cavities at dusk. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_026.jpg
Christian Cooper and Mark Bailey observe the endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers coming back to their pine tree cavities at dusk. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_025.jpg
Christian Cooper and Mark Bailey observe the endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers coming back to their pine tree cavities at dusk. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_023.jpg
Mark Bailey climbs up a pine tree to fix up a home for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker while Christian Cooper assists from below. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_022.jpg
Mark Bailey climbs up a pine tree to fix up a home for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker while Christian Cooper assists from below. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_021.jpg
Mark Bailey climbs up a pine tree to fix up a home for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker while Christian Cooper assists from below. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_020.jpg
Christian Cooper assists rator trainer, Amanda Sweeney, with Independence's pre-gameday flight practice. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_012.jpg
Christian Cooper assists rator trainer, Amanda Sweeney, with Independence's pre-gameday flight practice. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_011.jpg
Christian Cooper assists rator trainer, Amanda Sweeney, with Independence's pre-gameday flight practice. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_010.jpg
Christian Cooper assists rator trainer, Amanda Sweeney, with Independence's pre-gameday flight practice. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_009.jpg
Christian Cooper assists rator trainer, Amanda Sweeney, with Independence's pre-gameday flight practice. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_008.jpg
Christian Cooper assists rator trainer, Amanda Sweeney, with Independence's pre-gameday flight practice. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23106_ExtraordinaryBirder_007.jpg
Christian Cooper surveys the new grasslands at Freshkills Park. (National Geographic/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23103_ExtraordinaryBirderWithChristianCooperNewYorkCity_022.jpg
Central Park Natural Areas foreperson Jerry Heinzen, Jeff Corwin, and Christian Cooper in front of the Gill in Central Park. (National Geographic/Troy Christopher)Posted 11/20/23103_ExtraordinaryBirderWithChristianCooperNewYorkCity_013.jpg
Christian Cooper and Frank Ruiz stand in front of a dead tree with nests that used to be homes to Great Blue Herons. The Salton Sea has long been a vital stop for migrating birds. (National Geographic/Jon Kroll)Posted 11/20/23101_ExtraordinaryBirderWithChristianCooperPalmSprings_020.jpg
Christian Cooper and Frank Ruiz stand in front of a dead tree with nests that used to be homes to Great Blue Herons. The Salton Sea has long been a vital stop for migrating birds. (National Geographic/Jon Kroll)Posted 11/20/23101_ExtraordinaryBirderWithChristianCooperPalmSprings_019.jpg
Christian Cooper and Frank Ruiz stand in front of a dead tree with nests that used to be homes to Great Blue Herons. The Salton Sea has long been a vital stop for migrating birds. (National Geographic/Jon Kroll)Posted 11/20/23101_ExtraordinaryBirderWithChristianCooperPalmSprings_018.jpg
Christian Cooper stands in front of a dead tree with nests that used to be homes to Great Blue Herons. The Salton Sea has long been a vital stop for migrating birds. (National Geographic/Jon Kroll)Posted 11/20/23101_ExtraordinaryBirderWithChristianCooperPalmSprings_017.jpg
Christian Cooper stands in front of a dead tree with nests that used to be homes to Great Blue Herons. The Salton Sea has long been a vital stop for migrating birds. (National Geographic/Jon Kroll)Posted 11/20/23101_ExtraordinaryBirderWithChristianCooperPalmSprings_016.jpg
Christian Cooper stands in front of a dead tree with nests that used to be homes to Great Blue Herons. The Salton Sea has long been a vital stop for migrating birds. (National Geographic/Jon Kroll)Posted 11/20/23101_ExtraordinaryBirderWithChristianCooperPalmSprings_015.jpg
Christian Cooper stands in front of a dead tree with nests that used to be homes to Great Blue Herons. The Salton Sea has long been a vital stop for migrating birds. (National Geographic/Jon Kroll)Posted 11/20/23101_ExtraordinaryBirderWithChristianCooperPalmSprings_014.jpg
Christian Cooper operates a backhoe to dig a hole for an artificial burrow for the local burrowing owl population in Imperial Valley, CA. (National Geographic/Jon Kroll)Posted 11/20/23101_ExtraordinaryBirderWithChristianCooperPalmSprings_011.jpg
Christian Cooper takes to the sea to meet "Captain Pelican" who has a special bond with the seabirds on the west side of the island. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23104_ExtraordinaryBirderWithChristianCooperPuertoRico_0023.jpg
Christian Cooper takes to the sea to meet "Captain Pelican" who has a special bond with the seabirds on the west side of the island. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23104_ExtraordinaryBirderWithChristianCooperPuertoRico_0022.jpg
Christian Cooper takes to the sea to meet "Captain Pelican" who has a special bond with the seabirds on the west side of the island. (National Geographic for Disney)Posted 11/20/23104_ExtraordinaryBirderWithChristianCooperPuertoRico_0021.jpg
