Roger Tory Peterson centennial

Aug. 28 marks the centennial of Roger Tory Peterson's birth in Jamestown, N.Y. If not for that event in 1908, who knows how long birders would've waited before an artistic, talented birder revolutionized the way that we identify birds in the field and at our feeders?


To celebrate the centennial, the March/April issue of WildBird featured an article by Kenn Kaufman about Peterson's early years. In the May/June issue, readers can learn details about the creation and publication of the field guide that changed modern birding in 1934.

For the July/August issue, WildBird wants to highlight birders' thoughts about Peterson's effect on this hobby/lifestyle/sport/passion. Please send an e-mail with RTP in the subject line.

How did Peterson's work affect you?
Did his books serve as your first field guides?
How did his illustrations affect your opinions of field guides by other authors, photographers and illustrators?
What thoughts or images does his name conjure?

Please share your responses before Friday, April 18.

Photo courtesy of Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History