Julie Leibach

Reporter, Audubon Magazine

Julie Leibach is a science writer for Sea Grant and a former Audubon senior editor. She's based in North Carolina.

Articles by Julie Leibach

A bird is depicted with wings and tail outstretched, its head pointing straight up. The wings feature a splash of vibrant orange extending from its shoulders that fades to a soft blue-purple, and the tips of the wings and tail feathers are an inky black.
Reimagining the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
December 16, 2021 — Artist John Paul Brammer finds inspiration in Oklahoma’s expansive skies and Native American regalia.
Illustrated Aviary
An abstract illustration of a Common Loon on water, its white-flecked wings spread wide and its head, with its piercing red eye, held high.
Reimagining the Common Loon
October 04, 2021 — Building layer upon layer, mixed-media artist e bond coaxes the Common Loon from paper and ink.
Illustrated Aviary
Making Buildings Safe for Birds
September 28, 2021 — Each migration season, millions of birds die in cities by crashing into buildings. Now a growing trend toward sustainable design could open the door to safer passage.
American Avocet by Phil Wheeler
Reimagining the American Avocet
July 13, 2021 — Phil Wheeler uses repeating patterns to unite a hungry wader with otherworldly terrain.
Illustrated Aviary
Reimagining the Blue Jay
February 23, 2021 — Through artistic abstraction, Gizem Vural casts the oft-maligned Blue Jay in a sunny light.
Illustrated Aviary
Reimagining the Canada Goose
December 15, 2020 — Illustrating this familiar bird was part of artist Luke Swinson's exploration of his Indigenous roots.
Illustrated Aviary
Reimagining the Black-billed Magpie
September 27, 2020 — Artist Lauren Tamaki captures the chatter of these vocal western corvids.
Illustrated Aviary
Reimagining the Tufted Puffin
July 12, 2020 — Angela Haseltine Pozzi's nonprofit turns litter from Oregon beaches into 'beautiful and horrifying' sculptures of wildlife harmed by plastic pollution.
Illustrated Aviary
Reimagining the Great Cormorant
December 19, 2019 — Martin Haake's collage-style design enlivens the bird's dark plumage—and gives it a fish to snack on.
Illustrated Aviary
Reimagining the Wood Duck
July 12, 2019 — Returning to her roots, illustrator Melinda Beck gives new life to the waterfowl’s stunning plumage.
Illustrated Aviary