Take It or Leave It: Do Early Birding Practices Stand the Test of Time?
Early issues of 'Bird-Lore' and 'Audubon' magazine brimmed with tips and tidbits for the bird enthusiast. Some aged better than others, as the matrix below shows.
Photos and illustrations: All Audubon Archives
Since its very first issue in 1899, this magazine has been doling out advice to help people learn about and care for birdlife, whether they were die-hard birders, dedicated conservationists, or just starting to explore the avian world. The Audubon team dove deep into the archives to examine how some of our early tips and ideas about birding hold up by today’s standards.
We learned that some things never change, like the value of observing birds for fun and for science. But some things really, really do—like laws and norms around grabbing, pestering, and kidnapping wild birds. We’ve sorted some of our favorite tidbits from the first half of this magazine’s lifespan, owning up to the good, the bad, and the overly complicated; see the full spread above or take a closer look at the breakout sections below. Here’s hoping future readers won’t judge us too harshly in return.
Ambitious And Outdated
Ambitious And Timeless
Easy And Outdated
Easy And Timeless
This story originally ran in the Summer 2024 as part of a package called “Time Flies,” celebrating the 125th anniversary of Audubon magazine. To receive our print magazine, become a member by making a donation today.