David Allen Sibley
The world's leading authority on birds and birding; author and illustrator
Christian Cooper
Emmy Award-winning host of Extraordinary Birder on National Geographic and bestselling author of Better Living Through Birding
Christian Cooper is an Emmy Award-winning host and New York Times-bestselling author of Better Living Through Birding: Notes From a Black Man in the Natural World. Better Living Through Birding, Cooper’s debut memoir, recounts his journey through the wonderful world of birds and what they can teach us about life, if only we would look and listen. As an engaging speaker, Cooper captivates audiences with his unique blend of passion for nature, activism, and storytelling.
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About Christian Cooper
Christian Cooper is a science writer, host, avid comic book fan, and expert birder. Known for his work as the host of National Geographic’s Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper, Cooper shares his lifelong passions for birding and environmental advocacy. A former president of the Harvard Ornithological Club and current vice president of the New York City Bird Alliance, Cooper is a strong advocate for making green spaces safe and accessible for all, and works to involve underserved communities in the pleasures of birdwatching.
In May 2020, while birdwatching in Central Park, Cooper experienced an encounter with a dog walker that exploded age-old racial tensions, and his video of this incident went viral. His debut memoir, Better Living Through Birding, tells the story of his life leading up to the now-infamous incident, highlighting how a life spent looking up at the birds prepared him, in the most uncanny of ways, to be a gay, Black man in America today. From sharpened senses that work just as well at a protest as in a park to what a bird like the Common Grackle can teach us about self-acceptance, Better Living Through Birding teaches the joys of a life lived in pursuit of the natural world and invites readers to discover these joys in their own lives.
In fascinating talks, Cooper shares his story of learning to claim and defend space for himself and others like him, offering a powerful message of inclusion, progress, and the importance of protecting both the environment and each other. Cooper has spoken at several prestigious institutions, including the 92nd Street Y, Drexel University, and Swarthmore College, as well as major events such as The Biggest Week in American Birding Festival. He was also one of a select few non-scientists to give the keynote speech to the annual meeting of the American Ornithological Society, the governing body for scientists in the field of bird study. Additionally, Cooper has delivered inspiring talks at various corporate events, where his ability to connect environmental issues with corporate social responsibility resonates deeply with attendees.
Christian Cooper is based in New York City.
Contact us for more information about booking Christian Cooper for your next event.
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Speaking Topics
Birding: One for All and All for One for a Better Tomorrow
In this talk, Christian Cooper delves into the unique appeal of birding among the myriad ways to appreciate nature. He explores how birding can bridge societal divisions and why it is crucial to expand this activity to people from all walks of life. Cooper poses thought-provoking questions such as: What makes birding so uniquely appealing? Can attention to birds, as one of the most accessible gateways to nature, offer a way forward for a planet in trouble, while also bridging some of the chasms between us human beings? With the natural world in desperate need of healing—just as we are—audiences will discover why birding can and should be for everybody.
Birds By Any Other Name
The words we use matter...or do they? And if so, why? At a time of controversy around diversity and inclusion, Cooper shares what the world of birds has to teach us on the subject.
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Video
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Praise for Christian Cooper
Fantastic in every way. Christian was an incredible storyteller, vulnerable, and had a great sense of humor. He was kind to our students and generous with his time. He had an incredible way of connecting with our community on multiple levels. His passion for activism and birding was infectious.
— Groton SchoolPraise for Better Living Through Birding
Utterly captivating, a marvel of storytelling . . . Christian Cooper’s memoir is tender, honest, funny, wise, poignant, piercing, and infused with brilliant observations on the nature of birds, humans, and his own extraordinary personal journey.
— Jennifer Ackerman, New York Times-bestselling author of The Genius of Birds -
Books by Christian Cooper
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and Availability
- 212 572-2013
- Christian Cooper travels from New York, NY
Featured Title
Better Living Through Birding
“Christian Cooper’s book is every bit as wondrous and captivating as the birds he so adores—a joyous tour across subcultures and continents, and a masterful account of a life full of song, full of heart, and fully lived.”—Ed Yong, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of An Immense World
Similar Speakers
Ed Yong
Pulitzer Prize-winner and bestselling author of An Immense World
Jennifer Ackerman
Award-winning science writer, author of The Genius of Birds and What an Owl Knows