America's most famous living birder to speak at LSUS on Jan. 24

SHREVEPORT - The name of John James Audubon carries significant weight in the naturalist world as this lover of birds created an extensive pictorial record of North American bird species.

But Audubon couldn't document every bird species, and author Kenn Kaufman made it his life's mission to document as many bird species as possible.

Kaufman will be speaking at the Louisiana Ornithological Society's winter meeting on Jan. 24 at the LSUS Theatre at 7 p.m.

He will be signing copies of his most recent book, "The Birds that Audubon Missed," beginning at 5:30 p.m. with other of his works available for sale.

"Kenn Kaufman is legendary in the birding world as an author, artist, conservationist, and elite field birder," said Larry Raymond, vice president of the Shreveport Bird Study Group. "But just as important, he has been instrumental in helping people understand the importance of all groups of organisms in nature and is working toward helping the public develop an appreciation for biodiversity,

"People need to be introduced to all that nature has to offer to appreciate it and want to conserve it."

Kaufman fell in love with birding early his life, dropping out of high school to hitchhike around North America in pursuit of birds.

In 1973, Kaufman set what was a record at the time for the most North American bird species seen in one year (671). His adventures led to the creation of his cult-classic book "Kingbird Highway."

His upcoming lecture will delve into Audubon and his European-American contemporaries of the 19^th century who combed through the eastern United States hunting for undiscovered bird species and the parallels with modern birding.

Kaufman, a field editor for The National Audubon Society and the only person to have received the American Birding Association's lifetime achievement award twice, has made a career as a writer, editor and illustrator who has authored 14 books.

Tickets are on sale for $13.71 and can be purchased here.

The program is sponsored by the LSUS College of Arts and Sciences.

For more information of the Shreveport Bird Study Group and related naturalist organizations, visit their website.