Killian Sullivan

Gahanna, OH (10-13 Age Group)

“I entered ABA’s Young Birder of the Year Program because I wanted to give back to the birding community.”

Elias Markee-Ratner

New York, NY (14-18 Age Group)

“I entered the ABA Young Birder of the Year Program hoping to connect with other young birders and become a more active member of this remarkable community.”

The American Birding Association’s Young Birder of the Year Mentoring Program (YBYMP) was created to guide, encourage, and provide expert advice that aids in developing the skills and talents of birders between the ages of 10–18. The program, which began in 1998, has an impressive track record of influencing up-and-coming leaders of the birding community. Check out previous winners on the All-Time Young Birders of the Year page.

1Thank you to the generous support from our sponsor, Zeiss Sports Optics!

Finalists

Major Modules

FIELD NOTEBOOK

10–13 Age Group

GOLD Rishab Verma

SILVER Arabella Pajoohi

BRONZE Manny Majorins & Jack Ryan

14–18 Age Group

GOLD Elias Markee-Ratner

SILVER Aranya Karighattam

BRONZE Gwyneth Tien

HM Mackenzie Hollender

CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

10–13 Age Group

GOLD Killian Sullivan

SILVER Arabella Pajoohi

BRONZE Camden Bac

HM Brynn Hansen

14–18 Age Group

GOLD Kate Ancheta

SILVER Mackenzie Hollender

BRONZE Elias Markee-Ratner

HM Wesley Moore

Supporting Modules

ILLUSTRATION

10–13 Age Group

GOLD Shuxing Wang

SILVER Killian Sullivan

BRONZE Henry Malec-Scott

14–18 Age Group

GOLD Elias Markee-Ratner

SILVER Anastasia Nguyen

BRONZE Gwyneth Tien

HM Cecilia Lewis

WRITING

10–13 Age Group

GOLD Killian Sullivan

SILVER Alyssa Bac

14–18 Age Group

GOLD Owen Robertson

SILVER Elias Markee-Ratner

BRONZE Zita Robertson

HM Anastasia Nguyen & Zealon Wight-Maier

PHOTOGRAPHY sponsored by

10–13 Age Group

GOLD Shuxing Wang

SILVER Alejandro Williams Viveros

BRONZE Henry Malec-Scott

HM Rishab Verma & Killian Sullivan

14–18 Age Group

GOLD Zealon Wight-Maier

SILVER Leah Im

BRONZE Vitus Li

HM Aranya Karighattam & Kate Ancheta

Congratulations to all the young birder participants! We are inspired by your knowledge, passion, and talent.

Meet the 2025 YBYMP Mentors!

The YBYMP mentors comprise a group of dedicated leaders in the field of birding who volunteer their time and talents to the ABA to help young birders thrive and grow. The mentors evaluate the entries and provide thoughtful feedback that aids each participant in the advancement and sharpening of their skills.