Young Birders Profile...
Spotlight on Ethan Kistler, age 17

Golden Wings - What year did you start birding?
Ethan Kistler - I’m not quite sure but I think it was around 2001.

GW - What (or who) got you interested in birds?
EK - My family has always been evolved with the outdoors but I’m not sure how I got interested in birding. Like I tell others, I just woke up one day and said “I want to be a
birder…”

GW - Do you have a favorite bird, and if so, what is it and what makes it your favorite?
EK - I don’t really have a favorite bird but I like boreal and South American species.

GW – Do you have any other interests/hobbies besides birding?
EK - Insects, traveling, the tropics, eating, road trips and soccer to name a few.

GW - Do you have a job somewhere?
EK - Not yet, it takes time away from birding…Although, I’ve been doing a lot of volunteering including bird banding, bird surveys, leading walks and volunteering at the Geauga Park District.

GW - What is your dream job?
EK - After attending college, I plan on being a birding tour guide in South America. As a full time job, I’m looking into a career that involves a lot of surveying and research out in the field.

GW – Have you had birding mentors or heroes that helped you?
EK - I’ve had so many birding mentors that helped me and I don’t know where I would be today without them. Thanks to all of you!

GW – Do you have a favorite book, and if so, what is it?
EK - Kingbird Highway of course!

GW – Do you have a favorite movie, and if so, what is it and why?
EK - I don’t have any particular favorites but comedies are definitely up there.

GW – You have your driver’s license now! How did that impact or change birding for you?EK - I’ve had my license for over a year now and it was one of the greatest impacts of my life. I can now bird on my own time.

GW – Where is your favorite place to bird?
EK - In Ohio I like birding along Lake Erie, Mosquito Lake and southern Ohio.

GW - Do you have any pets, and if so, what are they?
EK - My family has Roxy a Chihuahua, Big Daddy a goldfish and Fuzzy a rabbit.

GW – Your family has been very supportive of your interest in birds, even planning family vacations around good birding spots. How do you think that makes birding different for you than, say, for some of your friends whose families aren’t in to birding at all?
EK - It would have to be hard for someone to bird if their families weren’t interested in it. If you’re stuck in a position like this, join the OYBC on their outings where everyone’s one big family.

GW – Have you taken any birding trips out of state?
EK - Yes, I’ve birded Arizona, New Jersey, Maine and Florida a couple times as well as Texas, Colorado, Wisconsin and neighboring states.

GW – Have you attended any birding conventions or conferences, and if so, what were they? EK - Besides all of the Ohio Ornithological Society events in Ohio, I’ve participated in the American Birding Association Conventions in Maine and Arizona. I’ve also attended the ABA Young Birders Conference in Colorado.

GW - What would you say is your greatest accomplishment in birding thus far?
EK - Being nominated to be the Northeast Region Director on the Ohio Ornithological Society Board.

GW- What would you say to someone to convince them to be a birder?
EK - Birding is a fantastic hobby and you’re really missing out. No matter where you go, there will always be birds around.

GW - Where do you go to school?
EK - Newton Falls High School

GW - How many birds are on your life list?
EK - As of November 1st my ABA list is 517.